VCA Canada Birchmount Animal Hospital

09/02/2026

This , we are reminded that being prepared is one of the most important things we can do. And as Canada faces more frequent emergencies like wildfires and floods, our pets must be part of that plan.

That is why we are proud to reaffirm our commitment, alongside Humane Canada, Mars, and Royal Canin, to Canada’s National Animal Emergency Response Network. This program is dedicated to strengthening readiness, providing training, and ensuring animals are included in emergency planning nationwide.

Take the first step today 👉 Build a Pet Emergency Go-Bag for your family.

Learn more about our national initiative: https://bit.ly/4i8cTod

08/28/2026

REMINDER!!! We will be closed tomorrow as we are getting our parking lot re-paved! Please make all food and medication pick up and requests today before 7pm

We’re getting our parking lot redone!!
As a result we will be closed on Saturday August 29th, this means no appointments, no med/food pick ups, and no boarding pickup/drop offs.
Friday August 28th they will be ripping up the parking lot so please come with extra patience as we have limited spots available while they do this!

08/24/2026

🐾 Meet of Vet et Nous | Christine: A Journey of Openness & Acceptance 🐾

"Growing up, I was often judged. Animals, though, were always a refuge. They don’t judge. You can just be." 💙

Meet Christine, an outstanding Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) at l'Ormière whose journey is a beautiful testament to resilience, passion, and the power of a supportive workplace.

Entering clinical practice 15 years ago—when autism (ASD) was poorly understood—was incredibly difficult. After facing post-traumatic stress and questioning her path, Christine’s love for animals brought her back. She joined the team at l’Ormière and laid her cards on the table from day one:

"I told the team: 'I’m autistic. If something comes up, please come see me. You have to tell me.' Communication makes all the difference."

With that open communication, Christine has truly found her fit and flourished. Today, she is the clinic's "encyclopedia" (colleagues always turn to her above-average memory!) and her deep empathy makes her incredibly gifted at supporting pet parents through delicate, emotional moments.

We aren't the only ones inspired by her. The Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec (OMVQ) was so moved by Christine's journey that they created a unique, dedicated RVT Excellence Award, "Coup de Cœur" Mention specifically to honour her story! 🏆

At home, she’s happily cuddled up with her two 15-year-old rescue cats, Acadie and Nami. 🐱🐱

"After a very difficult start, it was at l’Ormière that I rebuilt myself, and my confidence... I think we can all be a little more tolerant. Not just for autism, but for everything. Just a little more patience and respect." 💙

08/19/2026

Did you know that water is one of the most powerful tools we have to help your pet heal, rebuild, and thrive? Whether they are recovering from orthopedic surgery, managing arthritis, or navigating neurological conditions, hydrotherapy and the underwater treadmill provide a low-impact, highly effective workout that gets them back on all four paws faster!

📍 Where to Find Healing Waters 📍

While not every location has an underwater treadmill, several of our specialized VCA Canada Animal Hospitals feature dedicated veterinary rehabilitation teams equipped with advanced hydrotherapy technology.

📍 VCA Canada Newton Animal Hospital (Surrey, BC) – Proudly offering physical rehabilitation with a special focus on customized underwater treadmill therapy.

📍 VCA Canada O'Sullivan Animal Hospital (Barrie, ON) – Featuring a dedicated underwater treadmill and hydrotherapy pool.

📍VCA Canada Tri Lake Animal Hospital & Referral Centre (Lake Country, BC) – Proudly offering the Okanagan's only underwater treadmill therapy, led by our board-certified rehabilitation specialist.

📍VCA Canada Central Victoria Veterinary Hospital (Victoria, BC) – Providing comprehensive physical rehabilitation, including advanced underwater treadmill workouts.

📍VCA Canada Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Hospital (Oakville, ON) – Delivering targeted post-operative and geriatric care utilizing state-of-the-art underwater treadmill systems.

Rehab services and equipment vary by location. Reach out to your local hospital to discuss a referral or find specialized rehabilitation services near you!

08/18/2026

We’re getting our parking lot redone!!
As a result we will be closed on Saturday August 29th, this means no appointments, no med/food pick ups, and no boarding pickup/drop offs.
Friday August 28th they will be ripping up the parking lot so please come with extra patience as we have limited spots available while they do this!

08/17/2026

Ever heard that black cats are bad luck? 🐈‍⬛ Distrust the folklore. Trust the science (and us)! 🧪

They may actually be more resilient. The genetic mutation that causes melanism (black fur), is suggested to be linked to genes associated with viral and disease resistance. It's also the most common coat colour in the world which really just means there's more of them to love! 💙 🐈‍⬛

As well as it's these high levels of melanin that cause their irises to be richly pigmented, producing those iconic, vibrant golden-copper or deep yellow eyes.

Happy ! Drop your house-panthers below. We want to know what some of their funny quirks are.👇

08/14/2026

You know we love a ! It’s when we take an extra moment to celebrate what it means to be active partners in the communities we serve.

But today, we’re taking on a massive journey. 6,600 kilometers away, to be more precise! ✈️🇮🇪

One of our very own Associates, Brianna, has been selected for the prestigious Mars, Incorporated Ambassador Program (MAP)! From August 16–22, Brianna is heading to Dublin, Ireland, to volunteer with FoodCloud, an incredible organization tackling the dual challenges of food waste and food poverty.

This is a true full circle mission. Brianna will be out in the fields harvesting surplus crops, helping prepare hot meals in the Food Cloud kitchens, and delivering them to local families in the community. 🔄🌱

Back home, Brianna already lives this spirit every day by managing her massive garden plots, donating harvests to 11 neighbourhood families, and volunteering with the underhoused. Now, she gets to bring those exact skills to a global stage!

Please join us in wishing Brianna a safe and inspiring trip in the comments below, and give us a follow to get all her Irish updates! 👇

08/12/2026

The ultimate "chic" luxury isn’t a designer leather collar. It’s the absolute peace of mind that comes with a microchipped pet.

But here is a little insider secret: simply calling our hospital or booking a vet visit doesn’t actually update your pet’s microchip details. Because our hospital database and your pet's registry provider are completely separate, only you can log in to make those address or phone number changes official. If you've recently moved or changed numbers, consider this your gentle reminder to log in directly with your registry provider and keep those details current.

If you're sitting there thinking you aren't even sure if your pet is microchipped, or if you have absolutely no idea where to find their microchip number, please don't stress. That is exactly what our veterinary team is here for. You are always welcome to reach out to us so we can perform a quick, painless scan to locate that number for you.💙

08/10/2026

🐾 Meet over at Vet et Nous | Dr. Andréanne: Carving a Creative Path to Compassionate Care 🐾

Sometimes, the most meaningful journeys in life are the ones we sketch out ourselves, and Dr. Andréanne’s path to becoming a veterinarian at Centre Vétérinaire Laval (CVL) was just that. Not quite a straight line. But that is exactly what makes her the grounded, deeply compassionate clinician she is today.

"I took a somewhat unconventional path to get here," Andréanne recalls. "I’ve always had an artistic side (I loved painting) so I first studied in Arts and Letters. But... I’ve loved animals for as long as I can remember... At some point, I told myself, 'This has always interested me. I should go for it.'"

She enrolled in an animal health technician program, and during her first semester, CVL gave a presentation on campus. It was an immediate coup de cœur. "I was hired as a technician’s assistant and from the very first day, I knew I was home." When she was accepted into veterinary school, she decided to keep working at CVL part-time during the semesters and full-time in the summers. "It’s not the typical route... but for me, it made total sense," she explains. "We don’t get a lot of clinical exposure in the first years at uni. But by working in parallel, I was able to put my learning into practice. Seeing cases in real life helped everything become concrete."

Twelve years after first stepping through CVL’s doors as an assistant, Andréanne is still there. "You could say I grew up here," she smiles. What has kept her at the clinic for over a decade is a close-knit culture built on mutual respect, with no rigid hierarchies between doctors and staff.

"When I was a tech, my input was valued. I could share ideas, and they were considered seriously," she says. Transitioning to a veterinarian brought a heavier mental load, but she loves the deep diagnostic work and the ability to find the root causes of cases. "I enjoy that responsibility. I like knowing I can make a real difference in the lives of animals. And no two days are ever the same."

When she finally heads home to unwind, Andréanne is greeted by her two beloved tortoiseshell rescue cats: Frimousse, a slightly cross-eyed sweetheart adopted from the SPCA Montréal who supported her through late-night studying, and Violette, a gray-and-beige "little rascal" rescued from the outdoors.

Looking back on her 12-year evolution, Andréanne has no regrets about the winding road she traveled:

"In the end, I carved my own path and reached my goal. If anything, that path made me a better veterinarian... Sometimes, you just have to trust yourself and follow your heart. It’s okay to take a less conventional route, to be creative, to chart your own course. It may take a little longer, but for me, it led to exactly where I needed to be." 💙