Dana grew up in Coldbrook. After attending Central Kings Rural High, then the Nova Scotia Agriculture College, she went on to the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph and received her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1988. She returned to her home province and began practicing small animal medicine in Dartmouth NS. Driven by the desire to serve all clientele as though their pets were her own, she returned to her home and opened the Annapolis Animal Hospital with 2 other partners who shared her vision in 1991. Now over 25 years later, that passion has enabled Dana and her team to acquire AAHA accreditation, the highest standard of veterinary medicine. She lives in Canning with her husband and partner Mike McGowan and their daughter Annie. She enjoys music, fitness, cooking and spending time enjoying time with Annie and her many activities.