Did you know that cats and dogs are masters at hiding signs of illness?
It's in their nature to mask pain and disease, a survival tactic from their wild ancestors. They'll go to great lengths to keep their struggles hidden, even from their loving owners. Shockingly, a staggering 63% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners believe that an annual check-up is unnecessary, and only bring their pets in when they show signs of illness. At that point though, it could be too late!
Our Vision: Changing Lives, One Test at a Time
At Kidney-Chek, our vision is rooted in a promise – a promise to ensure the well-being of your furry companions through the power of early detection. Pets are more than just animals; they are cherished members of your family, offering unwavering companionship and love.
Our mission is to provide pet owners like you with the tools you need to become proactive advocates for your pet’s health. By offering an innovative and accessible testing solution, you can uncover potential health issues before they escalate. Our commitment to better pet health drives us every day, guiding us on a path to a future where pets live longer, healthier lives filled with boundless joy.
Meet our Team
Hillary Sweet, PhD
CEO & Co-Founder
Hillary wakes up every day inspired to help others. Hillary graduated with a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 2018, specializing in point-of-care clinical diagnostics.
Matthew Nickel, PhD
Co-founder
Matthew wakes up inspired every day to help build a better world. Matthew graduated with a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Alberta in 2018, specializing in nano-structured materials in medicine.
Alicia Naundorf, BSc, RVT
Consultant
Alicia wakes up every day with a passion to improve the lives of animals and their people. Alicia graduated with from the Animal Health Technology program at NAIT in 2011, and went on to achieve a BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Alberta in 2018. She has worked as an RVT in many capacities including emergency, high volume spay and neuter, general practice, and equine.
Merle Olson, MSc, DVM
Mentor
Merle, alongside his wife Barb, currently owns and operates Alberta Veterinary Laboratories (AVL) and Solvet, manufacturing and distributing veterinary pharmaceuticals across Canada. AVL specializes in veterinary products to control pain and protect the health and well-being of animals. Merle was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2021 - the highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen.
Barb Olson, MSc, PhD
Mentor
Barb left academia in 2004 to pursue biotechnology in the private sector. She founded AVL and Solvet, with her husband Merle and is now in charge of quality control, quality assurance, and regulatory affairs. Part of her role is maintaining a facility to fulfill requirements of Good Manufacturing Practices and that complies with Health Canada. Barb was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2021 - the highest honour the Province of Alberta can bestow on a citizen.
Louie
Chief Entertainment Officer
Louie wakes up every day excited to play and bring joy to his pet parents! He graduated from puppy training in 2020 and loves spending time with the Kidney-Chek team as they help save the lives of pets.
Tanaya Badgandi, BSc, MBT
Marketing and Manufacturing Associate
Tanaya wakes up every day with a passion to advocate for better health for all. She graduated from the University of Calgary’s Masters of Biomedical Technology program in 2023 with an interest in ethically advancing health technology, and about making sure pet parents have more time with their beloved animals!
Testimonials
Tessa Smith Lucy's Pet Parent"I highly recommend using Kidney-Chek for your pets. The test was quick and simple to use. It detected my cat's kidney disease before she had any symptoms! I was able to get a prescription diet and supplements from the vet which will lengthen and improve her quality of life. "
Leslie Chouinard, Pet parent & Owner of Catmint Lodge"The Kidney-Chek saliva tests were easy to order and use! When I tested Fuzzer & Beatrice, I was relieved to see that their test readings were in the normal range.
As the owner of a cat lodge that houses 18 cats, affordable health monitoring tools like this are SO valuable!"
