Van Isle Veterinary Hospital in Courtenay was honoured with the 2017 BC SPCA Veterinarian of the Year Award at the society’s annual awards ceremony, held in Richmond on May 5.
Van Isle Veterinary Hospital opened its doors in 2001 to serve animals in the Comox Valley and, in addition to their regular clients, have been strong advocates for homeless and abused animals in the region.
“The team at Van Isle always goes above and beyond to help the animals in the SPCA’s care,” says Emily Priestley, branch manager of the Comox Valley SPCA. “They generously donate their time or provide significantly discounted prices to the SPCA. Their staff also regularly work overtime on our animals at no cost. Their dedication to the community’s most vulnerable animals and their ongoing support has enabled us to save so many animal lives.” In addition, Priestley says that Van Isle staff have fostered animals, assisted with animal cruelty seizures and even professionally groomed SPCA animals at no charge.
“They have also been gold sponsors for our Paws for a Cause walk since the walk began and they are amazing fundraisers for our annual Cupcake Day,” she says. “They are instrumental in the work that we do here in the Comox Valley, and we are so grateful to be able to recognize their incredible contributions with our Veterinarian of the Year award.”