Catherine Groves

Catherine is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. She completed her Bachelor of Science in 2020 and Master of Science in 2021, also at the University of Guelph. Catherine’s passion for animal health, epidemiology, and communication has motivated her to continue exploring clinical veterinary communication, under the advisement of Dr. Jason Coe.

In recent years, the accessibility of veterinary care and related treatment options have been increasingly discussed. Catherine is interested in understanding the provision of a wide variety of treatment options for veterinary care that allow for a continuum of acceptable care, balancing evidence-based medicine with client expectations and financial limitations, also known as the Spectrum of Care (SoC). The communication and presentation of treatment options has not been studied in the context of the SoC. Using Sawtooth Software’s Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis, Catherine will examine how pet parents make choices relating to the veterinary care of their pet(s) and their preferences regarding the attributes of care options. Catherine will explore how these choices differ in alternate major circumstances (i.e. preventative wellness appointments and urgent care) and how preferences differ between cat owners and dog owners. This research will further our understanding of pet parent decision-making in veterinary practice and factors influencing pet parents’ decisions across the Spectrum of Care.

Outside of her studies, Catherine is an avid knitter, music enthusiast, and pet foster. You can often find her working at the local humane society or at the University’s veterinary college. Her dog, Rory, and her cat, Banksy, are the most excited to hear the results of her research. Catherine welcomes inquiries related to her project or her pets through her LinkedIn or email.