Dr. Alison Chiswell was born in Lacombe, Alberta and raised on a mixed farm nearby.  She studied at the University of Alberta for pre-veterinary requirements and transferred to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon graduating with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1982.  She joined the Lloydminster Animal Hospital in 1986.  She completed a Master in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland by distance learning, receiving her degree in July 2002.

Dr. Chiswell and her husband, Dr. Starke have two sons: Roland, who is currently attending Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton; and Alastair, who is attending the University of Calgary while training at the Olympic Oval.  Outside work and family, Dr. Chiswell sits on the Board of Directors for Servus Credit Union and Credit Union Central of Alberta, acts as Chief Meet Recorder for the Lloydminster Border Blades Speed Skating Club, and teaches Sunday School.