About: Dr. Shannon Pennifold

Dr. Shannon Pennifold | BSc, OD, FCOVD

Owner/Optometrist

Q&A with Dr. Pennifold

Cats or Dogs?
Dogs rule and cats… don’t drool?! I love dogs, Mikli is my best bud!

What is the most inspiring part of your job?
The most inspiring part of my job are the emotional moments when you know that you’ve been involved in a patient’s transformational experience. Either from helping them achieve the gift of sight, regain the comfort of binocular vision, or being able to recover from a concussion, all of these transformations are inspiring.

Dr. Pennifold completed her Bachelor of Science in Immunology and Infection from the University of Alberta and her Doctor of Optometry degree from the University of Waterloo. She was born in Edmonton, raised in Red Deer, and was happy to return to Edmonton after graduation from optometry school.

While in her final year of optometry school, Dr. Pennifold was involved with research on the link between binocular vision problems and learning difficulties of school-aged children, and presented the early results at the COVD’s Annual Meeting in 2012. She continues to have a passion and special interest in this area. Her post-graduation studies have included numerous courses in behavioural and developmental optometry, amblyopia and strabismus treatment, learning-related vision problems, post-concussion rehabilitation, and syntonics (light therapy).

She earned her Fellowship from the College of Vision Development (FCOVD) in 2021 and is the first Board-Certified Developmental Optometrist in Edmonton. She sits on committees within the Alberta College and Association of Optometrists and is passionate about the overall profession. She enjoys sharing her special interest in vision therapy and rehabilitation with other optometrists and medical health professionals through in-services, lectures, and patient management collaboration. Although she doesn’t really enjoy public speaking, when she gets on a roll, it is hard to stop her! 

Although Dr. Pennifold has a special interest in vision therapy and rehabilitation, she really enjoys all aspects of primary care, family vision care, emergent eye care, and ocular health diagnosis and management. The diversity is what makes optometry such a great profession! Next on her list is to develop a program for sports vision training and to become more involved with concussion detection and rehabilitation in athletes in Edmonton and Alberta. 

Dr. Pennifold has participated in volunteer eye care in Ecuador and Peru, through VOSH and OneSight, and hopes to participate in more eye care mission opportunities in the future. She has also volunteered for the Special Olympics, screening athletes for vision problems. 

In her spare time, you will probably find her on a volleyball court, exercising with her Australian Labradoodle (Mikli), golfing, traveling, scuba diving, being at the cabin, and skiing. 

Her dream has always been to run her own independent optometry office, and JRVC is her dream come true! She is excited to be part of the small business community in Edmonton, and loves networking, collaboration, and developing long-lasting relationships with her patients. She looks forward to meeting patients of all ages and providing optometric care to the community.

Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your vision care journey!

Education

  • University of Alberta: Bachelor of Science, Specialization in Immunology & Infection, 2009
  • University of Waterloo: Doctorate of Optometry, 2013
  • Externships:
    • OMNI Eye Specialists, Baltimore, MD: experience in diagnosing and managing ocular disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and emergent cases.
    • Vision Therapy Calgary: gained experience in developmental optometry and providing vision therapy in a primary care setting.
  • College of Vision Development: earned a Fellowship in 2021, a board-certified developmental optometrist designation

Continuing Education Courses

  • Optometric Extension Program (OEP): 
    • 4 part Clinical Curriculum program on behavioural optometry and vision therapy, completed in 2017
      • The Art & Science of Optometric Care
      • Vision Therapy / Visual Dysfunctions
      • Vision Therapy / Learning Related Vision Problems
      • Vision Therapy / Strabismus and Amblyopia
    • Regional Clinical Seminars:
      • Infant & Toddler Vision Development, Examination, and Management
      • TBI: Acquired Brain Injury & Concussion
      • Principles of Prescribing
  • College of Optometrists Vision Development (COVD) Applied Concepts Courses:
    • Basics of Vision Therapy
  • College of Syntonics:
    • Optometric Syntonic Phototherapy 101
  • Other:
    • Visual Performance Evaluation for Sports
    • Optimizing Visual Performance for Sports

Optometry Memberships

  • Regulated Member of the Alberta College of Optometrists (ACO)
    • Competence Committee Member
  • Member of the Alberta Association of Optometrists (AAO)
    • Vision Development and Rehabilitation Committee Member
  • Member of the Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO)
  • Associate Member of the College of Vision Development (COVD)
  • Member of the Canadian Optometrists in Vision Therapy and Rehabilitation (COVT&R)
  • Member of the Optometric Extension Program (OEP)

2
International volunteer eye care missions
300+
Hours in Vision Therapy Curriculum Courses
6
Memberships in Professional Optometry Groups

Comprehensive and professional family optometry services, with a focus on your best vision and our best care!