Originally from Newfoundland and now residing in Ottawa, Ontario, Cheryl is ‘99 graduate of the Nova Scotia Agricultural College (BSc Agriculture) and a 2004 graduate of the Atlantic Veterinary College (DVM). Also working as a firefighter with Ottawa Fire since 2016 while still practicing veterinary medicine, rescue work and wildlife conservation plays a major role in her life.  After several weeks at Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya) in 2018 and working with Sudan - the last male Northern white rhino - this first-hand experience allowed her to then speak from a different platform and learn about conservation more intrinsically. 2019 then took her to Malilangwe, Zimbabwe, on the Wildlife Capture Course - a leading training course in chemical and physical restraint of wild animals, emphasizing community involvement and conservation.  2020 led her to Australia, as part of a search and rescue team for injured wildlife, and providing veterinary care as well as a long awaited visit to the Zululand Rhino Orphanage.  

Moving forward, bringing more awareness to Canada about the challenges rhinos face, the illegal wildlife trade, habitat loss, poaching and wildlife conservation in general, is her priority.