Dr. Wagner is grateful she’s had animals in her life since childhood. From early on, she appreciated earthworms and frogs but growing up in northeastern Manitoba and visiting her grandparents’ farm near Riding Mountain Park, her world came to include dogs and cats, farm animals, and wild animals. By Grade Twelve, she knew how to make sure she would see animals daily and how she might work to advocate for them.
After finishing her pre-veterinary program at the University of Manitoba, she attended the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in 1979. Her first years as a veterinary practitioner were spent in mixed practice at Balgonie Veterinary Clinic and Sherwood Animal Clinic, followed by many years in small animal practice.
She strongly believes that pain diminishes the quality of our pets’ lives (so fight it!), that our pets make us more compassionate citizens of the world, and that all animals inherently deserve our care.
At home, Karen and her husband practise kendo, a martial art akin to fencing. She reads, gardens and organizes family gatherings with her adult daughters and spouses. Long walks with the dogs and cuddles with Yoyo the cat make life better too. Future plans include a trip to Austria to visit a long-absent friend and learning how to paddle a straight course across a quiet lake with her husband. Just to hear the loons.