Back in 1999, Jennifer decided that she wanted to pursue a career in veterinary medicine with aspirations of one day being her own boss and she moved from Calgary to Manning to save money to pursue her goals. She became a permanent resident of Manning when she married into the community and decided to raise a family here with her husband Todd. She realized her dream in January 2015 when she opened up the Manning Veterinary Clinic. She chose to take the leap to practice ownership because there was a need for veterinary services in Manning and the surrounding communities. Furthermore, practicing out of Manning has allowed her to be more available for her family and community involvement.

Why veterinary medicine you ask? Dr. McCracken has always loved animals and had an interest in health care so a career in veterinary medicine only seemed natural. Jennifer says the best part of her job, besides the interactions with the owner’s of her patients, is knowing that she has made a difference in the quality of life of an animal. Whether it be through making the proper diagnosis and providing treatment or to know that she has done her part to prevent an illness, she loves being able to help many animals feel more comfortable.

Jennifer started off her education at the Grande Prairie Regional College for 2.5 years. She moved to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta for a year after that. She then went on to graduate from the four year Doctor or Veterinary Medicine program at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009.

As a mixed animal veterinarian, Dr. McCracken works mainly on dogs, cats, horses and cattle. She is always up to the challenge to work on any species that comes into the practice. Her favorite animal to work on are dogs because 90% of the time they are happy to see her. There is nothing better than a litter of puppies breaking up the appointments during the day, except of course, a litter of kittens. She also really enjoys visiting with producers when out of farm calls. She says there is something so relaxing about shooting the breeze with the local farmers while working on cattle and that it doesn’t even feel like work!

Jennifer and her husband Todd live east of town on a farm with their two children – Kendall and Kade. They have 6 cats and 3 dogs. They also have over 30 horses on farm as her husband Todd races thoroughbred chuckwagons on the WPCA circuit which fills their family’s summer schedule. The McCracken family farm cares for cattle, horses, and pigs. 

Thaney is a small-town, rural girl at heart, with a great love for animals of all kinds. Since she was 5 years old, she has been telling her family and anyone who would listen that she was going to be a “farmer” when she grew up, and now that she is in her 30’s, that dream has finally come to fruition with the family’s recent purchase of a 160 acre farm in Dixonville, AB.

Thaney has been involved with and around animals since day one. What started with a severe cow’s milk allergy led to the purchase of milk goats, which led to 4H with the goats and then sheep, which then led to horses and riding in dressage and western pleasure shows. As an adult, that has now all come back around full circle to goats again, which she raises on the farm along with her 4 dogs, 2 cats, mini pigs and pony. After working in the oilfield for the past decade, Thaney is absolutely thrilled and happy to be working for us, in an atmosphere that is close to her heart. 

Lindsay comes to us from Grande Prairie, Alberta where she was born and raised. New to Manning, she moved here in 2021 to take her new position with us as a Receptionist/ Customer Service Representative and to join her boyfriend, Ross. She has one cat named Ozzy and one big dog named Dio.

With a love of singing, Lindsay spent a lot of her youth travelling far and wide to perform with her choir, though these days you can often find her singing along while doing her laundry! She is passionate about all things fluffy and scaley, and is thrilled to finally be in a field where she can work and be around animals everyday. In her down-time, you can usually find her playing video games and hanging out with Ross and her furry children. 

Becky was raised in Manning, AB since the age of 6. She has always had a passion for animals and grew up knowing that one day she would have a career working with them. She loves working with horses and has recently decided to try some horse training. She now has a 4 year old gelding that she has fully trained herself. At home, Becky currently has 2 dogs and is in the process of building her own farm with her husband Joseph. They plan to have cows, horses, pigs, chickens and cats. In her down time you can find her reading, playing volleyball, kayaking, camping, riding, traveling and hiking. 

Originally from Bluesky, Alberta, Trinity attended the Northwest Polytechnic Veterinary Technology Program from 2022 to 2024, graduating with honors. Initially uncertain about her career path, the program helped her discover her true passion: helping animals. She aspires to specialize in animal rehabilitation and work with exotic species in the future. A proud cat owner, she has three beloved cats: Augy, Norrah, and Titan. With a love for teaching, Trinity spent three years as a swim instructor, and enjoys crocheting, swimming, basketball, and reading in her free time. 

COMING SOON

Born in Hinton, AB, and raised in High Level, Kat moved to Manning in 2020 with now fiancé Alvin. With a lifelong passion for working with animals, especially large ones, she has cultivated her love for wildlife and livestock. She owns a horse named Ginger, along with three dogs, four cats, and a small herd of cows. She’s also family to technician Becky.

Kat dreams of becoming a taxidermist and one day owning her own farm filled with cows and horses. Exploring the unknown is a true passion of hers. However in her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, hunting, fishing, hiking, and playing video games.