Dr. Elena Garde

Dr. Elena Garde graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, in 2005 and later completed a Master’s degree in International Animal Health at the University of Edinburgh. Originally from Canada, she spent 16 years living and working in Chile before relocating to Costa Rica in 2025.

Dr. Elena has worked extensively in community-based veterinary medicine across multiple countries, including Canada, Chile, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, as well as in remote communities in northern Ontario. In addition to her work at Allandale Veterinary Hospital, she is actively involved with the Global Alliance of Animals and People (GAAP), where she leads and supports animal health initiatives aimed at improving animal welfare and access to veterinary care.

At Allandale, Dr. Elena provides telemedicine services and has a particular passion for this approach. She values the opportunity to connect with clients in their home environments, offering a more accessible and personalized experience—especially for those in remote areas, with mobility challenges, or with pets that are stressed, reactive, or difficult to transport.

Outside of work, she enjoys life in Costa Rica with her husband, an avian researcher, and their cat, pups and horses. Her passions include horseback riding, hiking, reading and birdwatching, and she makes a point of returning to Canada as much as possible to visit family in Ottawa and her son in British Columbia.