Meet our Avi Dog Veterinarian

Dr. Rod MacFarlane encountered Darrel Lewko and his avi dogs while warming up one cold day in the hut at the top of the Red Chair. A well-respected veterinarian of more than 20 years, Rod was excited to meet Darrel and pass on his praise for the great work he was doing with Huck and Avi.

Darrel told Rod a bit about the snow dogs program and Rod, ‘became instantly intrigued  with these working dogs and the training that it took to turn them into such amazing, life saving members of the ski patrol. I was so impressed I knew I wanted to play some kind of role in the snow dog program.'

Not long after, Rod volunteered to be the veterinarian for the Castle Snow Dogs program. He supplies all veterinary services for the dogs in the program, such as health checks and vaccinations (on hill) surgery, spaying and neutering (in his Lethbridge office). In his typically humble fashion, Rod makes light of the volunteer role he plays in the Snow Dogs program, but Darrel can't speak highly enough about what Rod offers. Lewko says, ‘Behind every avi rescue dog team, the most important part is the preventative maintenance of the dog - the vet. We have the best in Rod MacFarlane.'