Trust ◊ Education ◊ Professionalism
Veterinarians
Dr. Janice Posnikoff has over 25 years experience as a highly respected equine veterinarian, primarily as owner and principal vet at Orange County Equine Veterinary Services, in Orange County, California, where she served many long-term clients throughout that region. She now brings her expertise in sport horse medicine to the Okanagan Valley and is sincerely grateful to accept the reins from Dr. Sheila McDonald as the owner and lead veterinarian of Okanagan Equine Vet Services.
She looks forward to to serving you, the horse community of the Valley.
Dr. Posnikoff’s career has been devoted to sport horse medicine focusing on lameness, imaging (x-ray and ultrasound), dentistry, minor surgery and podiatry. The majority her clientele has been from the Hunter/Jumper, Dressage, Western Pleasure, barrel racing, competitive trail, gaited horse breeds, miniature horse and pleasure horses disciplines.
Originally from Manitoba and starting her veterinary journey with mentor Dr. Rex Leach, Dr. Posnikoff graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), University of Saskatchewan in 1994.
After completing a one year internship at Chino Valley Equine Hospital in Chino, CA, Dr. Posnikoff worked as an Associate at an ambulatory equine practice in Orange County, California for five years, then went on to purchase and develop her own practice - Orange County Equine Veterinary Services - which she lead and grew for 15 years and successfully sold.
Following California, she moved to Maryland horse country, before returning to her home province of Manitoba to practice at Elders Equine Vet Services for three years.
Over her career Dr. Posnikoff has formed close working relationships with outstanding referral practices, equine surgeons, radiologists, internal medicine specialists, trainers, competitors and breeders throughout North America and Europe.
Dedicated to be at the forefront of contemporary techniques, she recently completed advanced equine dentistry courses and ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotion and Pathology) modules taught by the world’s greatest equine lameness instructors and clinicians, along with yearly equine continuing education offered through the AAEP and other associations.
Dr. Posnikoff is also author of a series of articles for Horse Illustrated and co-author of the popular book Horses for Dummies.
She is an active member of the equine community, enjoys keeping clients informed of the latest in equine health, and has given many presentations on equine medicine and health.
A personal highlight and one of her finest professional achievements is Wester’s Aikema’s Nico. A little 14.3 Welsh fancy imported German pony, who at first no one could ride. With her team-partner Dory Breneman, a professional dressage trainer, Dr. Posnikoff successfully brought Nico up from 2nd level to Grand Prix dressage in southern California. A journey which shaped Dr. Posnikoff’s career.
Dr. Looper grew up on a ranch in Colorado where his family raised horses, cattle, and sheep. Following his veterinary training at Colorado State University, he spent a year interning in California specializing in the treatment of sport horses. He then moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he was an associate and became an equine practice owner, working with racehorses, western competition horses and show horses. During this time, he competed in cutting and the interesting sport of cowboy mounted shooting. He has also raised Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and Appaloosas.
After 15 years in Arizona Dr. Looper moved to Minnesota, again working with racing, show and rodeo horses, at the same time also practiced in New York, Florida, and New Mexico. He has developed an extensive line of equine supplements (see “In The Loop” website) with the hopes of bringing them to Canada. In 2012 Dr. Looper and his family decided Kelowna is where they would like to settle down and purchased a small farm in Southeast Kelowna.
Throughout his career Dr. Looper has focused mainly on sports medicine although he is interested to learn more about equine reproduction and surgery. He has a strong interest in alternative therapies, is trained in acupuncture, head/ neck chiropractic treatments, ozone treatments, energy medicine, laser, and shockwave therapies. He has extensively used regenerative therapies including PRP, IRAP, and stem cell treatments. Proficient in dentistry, Dr. Looper understands the benefits that a comfortable and balanced mouth can provide for the performance horse. Outside of work, Dr. Looper enjoys fishing, hiking, snowboarding, travel, and of course riding.
Veterinary Assistants
Charly grew up in the Okanagan in the small nearby town known as Armstrong, where she learned to love animals. She started riding lessons at a young age and became a competitive show jumper. Charly’s love for horses encouraged her to start her pre-vet journey soon after graduating from high school, where she moved to Kelowna to pursue her undergraduate degree at the University of British Columbia, studying Zoology. Once Charly graduates from her bachelor’s degree she plans on applying to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine to pursue her passion of caring for animals.
Samantha is currently attending UBCO as a nursing student but has been working with horses since she was 14. Her experience started with volunteering at a rescue ranch with all sorts of animals, but horses were always her favourite. From then on she knew she wanted to work with horses. "I love being around all the horses and people I work with!"
In the spring of 2022, Emily graduated with a BSc from UBCO. Before entering Veterinary college, Emily has decided to gain some hands-on experience, and lucky for us, she applied to OKVES. As Dr. Posnikoff’s assistant it is clear Emily will be an amazing Veterinarian when she completes her studies. Not only is she dedicating her life to the Equine world, she is also the happy owner of Bellini, an Oldenburg you can’t take your eyes off. When Emily has free time, her and Bellini love competing in three-day eventing.
