World Veterinary Day is an opportunity to recognize veterinarians and veterinary professionals across Canada whose knowledge, dedication, and commitment support animal health in many different settings. From companion animals and livestock to wildlife, research, and public health, veterinary medicine plays an important role in caring for animals and supporting the communities that depend on them. Behind that work are people who are deeply invested in the wellbeing of animals—professionals who are often pet owners themselves, drawn to this field by a lifelong connection to animals and a desire to help.

At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH), World Veterinary Day is also a moment to reflect on how veterinary medicine is practiced in a specialty setting—and on the many individuals whose combined efforts support patients, families, and referring veterinarians within our community. As an independent, family-owned Canadian hospital, BBVSH is deeply connected to the profession and the community it serves, guided by a long-term commitment to collaboration, clinical excellence, and supporting the people behind the medicine.

Advanced Care When It Matters Most

Specialty and emergency veterinary medicine rely on advanced training, collaboration, and coordinated decision-making. At BBVSH, patient care is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team prepared to manage complex, urgent, and medically challenging cases—often during moments that are stressful and emotional for both pets and the people who love them.

In recognition of its work within the profession and the community, BBVSH was honoured as the 2025 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Practice of the Year, an award that reflects a veterinary practice’s commitment to professionalism, team-based service, community involvement, and contributions to the field.

Prepared for the Most Critical Moments

BBVSH is one of only two hospitals in Canada to hold Level 1 Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) Certification in both Critical Care and Trauma. These designations reflect stringent requirements related to continuous on-site expertise, advanced medical and diagnostic equipment, hospital infrastructure, and clinical readiness. Meeting these standards supports the hospital’s ability to assess, stabilize, and manage critically ill or severely injured patients at any hour, and speaks to the level of preparation, teamwork, and trust required across the entire hospital.

Specialization Built on Shared Expertise

Within this environment, advanced veterinary care is shaped by shared expertise. BBVSH brings together board-certified specialists in critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and behaviour medicine, working alongside emergency veterinarians trained to manage severe trauma and complex medical emergencies. Animal rehabilitation services further support patients as they recover from surgery, injury, or illness, helping them regain comfort, mobility, and quality of life over time.

Board certification represents an advanced level of clinical specialization in veterinary medicine. After completing veterinary school, specialists undergo years of focused postgraduate training through internships, residencies, and comprehensive examinations within a defined discipline. This preparation supports in-depth evaluation of complex conditions, the use of advanced diagnostic tools, and the development of treatment plans that extend beyond the scope of general practice. At BBVSH, this knowledge is shared openly across services and teams, strengthening collaboration and supporting thoughtful, well-coordinated care.

A Team Behind Every Patient

Delivering this level of medicine depends on the constant presence and clinical involvement of Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) and Veterinary Assistants (VAs) who work within specialty, emergency, trauma, and critical care services every day. These professionals are deeply engaged in patient monitoring, anesthesia and procedural support, advanced diagnostics, ICU care, and recovery—often responding quickly as a patient’s condition changes. Many further develop their skills through BBVSH’s Veterinary Technologist Internship (VTI) program, which supports continued learning in a hospital-based specialty environment.

Equally essential are BBVSH’s Client Service Representatives, who support families through appointments, treatment plans, and difficult decisions with clarity, kindness, and understanding, and the leadership and management teams whose work behind the scenes supports safe operations, staffing, and hospital systems. Together, these teams help create an environment where advanced veterinary care can be delivered thoughtfully and collaboratively.

Within the veterinary community, collaboration is fundamental. BBVSH works closely with primary care veterinarians, providing advanced diagnostics, specialty procedures, and consultation to support cases that benefit from additional expertise. This shared approach supports continuity of care and reflects a profession built on mutual respect and partnership.

With Gratitude on World Veterinary Day

Veterinary medicine—particularly in emergency and specialty environments—is demanding work. Long hours, complex clinical decisions, and emotionally challenging moments are part of daily practice. World Veterinary Day offers a chance to pause and recognize the professionalism, resilience, and care that veterinary professionals bring to this work, often behind the scenes and without recognition.

At BBVSH, we are deeply grateful for the people who make this hospital what it is. Every day, our team brings skill, dedication, and compassion to the care of patients and to the support of the families who trust us during some of their most difficult moments. Their commitment to one another, to their patients, and to the profession is what allows advanced veterinary care to happen in a thoughtful and collaborative way.

This World Veterinary Day, we extend our sincere thanks to veterinary professionals everywhere—and especially to the BBVSH team whose shared expertise, teamwork, and care support animal health in our community every day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH)

What is World Veterinary Day?

World Veterinary Day is an annual opportunity to recognize veterinarians and veterinary professionals for their contributions to animal health and welfare. It highlights the dedication, expertise, and teamwork involved in caring for animals and supporting communities across Canada and around the world.

How does BBVSH recognize World Veterinary Day?

World Veterinary Day is a time for BBVSH to reflect on the role specialty and emergency veterinary medicine plays within the broader profession and to acknowledge the many professionals whose combined efforts support patients, families, and referring veterinarians in the community.

What type of hospital is Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital?

BBVSH is a specialty and emergency veterinary hospital that provides advanced, hospital-based care for complex trauma and urgent medical cases. Care is delivered by a multi-disciplinary team working collaboratively across services.

What does it mean that BBVSH is independent and Canadian-owned?

Being an independent, family-owned Canadian hospital allows BBVSH to remain closely connected to the veterinary profession and the community it serves. Decisions are guided by long-term commitment to patient care, collaboration with referring veterinarians, and support for veterinary professionals, rather than corporate priorities.

What does Level 1 VECCS Certification mean?

Level 1 Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) Certification reflects rigorous standards related to staffing, training, equipment, hospital infrastructure, and clinical readiness. BBVSH holds Level 1 certification in both Critical Care and Trauma, supporting the hospital’s ability to assess and manage critically ill or severely injured patients at all hours.

Has BBVSH received any professional recognition or awards?

Yes. Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital was named the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Practice of the Year. This recognition reflects the hospital’s commitment to professionalism, team-based veterinary care, collaboration, and contributions to the veterinary profession and community.

What veterinary specialties are available at BBVSH?

BBVSH offers specialty services including critical care, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and behaviour medicine. Animal rehabilitation services are also available to support recovery following injury, surgery, or illness.

What is a board-certified veterinary specialist?

A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced postgraduate training in a specific area of medicine after veterinary school. This training includes internships, residencies, and comprehensive examinations within a defined specialty discipline.

Why is board certification important in specialty veterinary care?

Board certification supports focused expertise in evaluating complex conditions, using advanced diagnostic tools, and developing treatment plans that extend beyond the scope of general practice. At BBVSH, this expertise is shared across teams to support coordinated patient care.

What role do Registered Veterinary Technologists and Veterinary Assistants play at BBVSH?

Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) and Veterinary Assistants (VAs) are integral members of the specialty and emergency care team. They are closely involved in patient monitoring, anesthesia and procedural support, diagnostics, ICU care, and recovery, particularly in trauma and critical care settings.

What is the Veterinary Technologist Internship (VTI) program at BBVSH?

The Veterinary Technologist Internship (VTI) program supports continued learning for technologists working in a specialty hospital environment. It provides structured opportunities to further develop skills related to advanced, emergency, and critical care medicine.

How does BBVSH work with primary care veterinarians?

BBVSH works collaboratively with primary care veterinarians by providing advanced diagnostics, specialty procedures, and consultation for cases that benefit from additional expertise. This shared approach supports continuity of care for patients and families.

How does BBVSH support pets during stressful visits?

Care teams at BBVSH use thoughtful handling and care approaches designed to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress whenever possible. These practices help support patient comfort during exams, treatment, hospitalization, and recovery.

Who supports pet owners during their visit to BBVSH?

Client Service Representatives support families by helping coordinate appointments, explain next steps, and provide clear communication throughout the care process. They work closely with clinical teams to support families during challenging moments.

Who does BBVSH serve?

BBVSH serves pets, families, and referring veterinarians within the Surrey and Metro Vancouver communities, providing specialty and emergency care as part of a collaborative veterinary network.

Why is veterinary medicine considered a team-based profession?

Veterinary medicine—especially in emergency and specialty settings—relies on close collaboration among veterinarians, technologists, assistants, client service professionals, and leadership teams. Each role contributes to patient care, safety, communication, and continuity.