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Monday 7:30am - 7pm Tuesday 7:30am - 7pm Wednesday 7:30am - 7pm Thursday 7:30am - 7pm Friday 7:30am - 6pm

VCA Canada Pretoria Animal Hospital

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VCA Canada Pretoria Animal Hospital

At VCA Canada, we're pet people too. We understand the importance of your morning snuggles and the t A healthy pet is a happy pet. Our hospital is here for you.

That's why our team of trained professionals offer quality care for your companion. We know them inside and out, which means we know when things are good and when we need to pay more attention.

03/25/2026

Ziva is showing off some of her favorite tricks today 🐶, but Pogo wanted to make sure everyone knows that dogs aren't the only ones who can master the art of the "ask." 🐱

While these moments are adorable, they are actually doing something incredible for our pets' neuro-brain health. Trick training is one of the most effective ways to promote .

Learning a new behavior creates new neural connections. This "brain plasticity" is vital for keeping pets sharp as they age, helping to stave off cognitive dysfunction. For a dog like Ziva, following a complex command requires intense focus and impulse control, which engages the prefrontal cortex.

For Pogo, "tricks" aren't just for show, they engage a cat’s natural problem-solving instincts. It provides a healthy outlet for their predatory drive, reducing stress and anxiety.

Training isn't just about "good manners", it’s about building a resilient, healthy brain. Plus, the bond it builds between you and your pet is the best "side effect" of all. 😉

What is your pet’s favourite or most impressive trick? 👇

03/23/2026

🐣 🐶 Who’s ready for a Spring Break-out for ? 🐶🐣

Forget the flowers! We’re tracking a different kind of growth! These little ones are getting ready to spring out of the womb and into the world any day now! ✨

It’s like a 1000-piece puzzle, but with tiny spines and skulls. It’s the ultimate ," puppy edition.

Put on your radiologist hat and give us your best guesses! How many puppies are joining the pack? 🕵️‍♀️

03/16/2026

🐾 | Danny and a Lifeline for the Lifesavers 🐾

Every veterinarian has a "why" that started long before they put on a stethoscope. For Dr. Daniel Joffe, it was the dogs he grew up with; his best friends who seemed to know exactly what he needed before he even said a word. "They watch over you and take care of you, more than we ever think that they could", he remembers.

By Grade 2, Danny knew he wanted to be a veterinarian. He imagined a life of "puppies and kittens", but the reality of the profession brought a different kind of weight. "I certainly didn’t know just how much veterinarians, as humans, needed to be taken care of, too", he says. He saw talented colleagues leaving the field after catastrophic events or formal complaints, feeling like they had no one to talk to.

In the veterinary world, a "bad day at the office" can be life-changing. When a patient is lost or a complaint is filed, the emotional toll on our doctors and support staff can be devastating.

And that's why, as one of three core architects, Dr. Danny Joffe created , a VCA Canada initiative designed to ensure no doctor or support staff member ever feels like they're left hanging.

The program connects clinicians with experienced "Listening Coaches" and peer support during their toughest professional moments. "Wouldn’t it be nice if we could give doctors the same kind of loyalty and support that our pets give us" Danny asks.

By making these difficult conversations public and less taboo, the program is helping good veterinarians stay in the profession they love. For Danny, the goal is simple: ensuring his colleagues know there is always a path through the hard days. "We want to show our people that someone is there for them" he says, "the same way our pets are always there for us." 💙

03/13/2026

This , we are pausing to reflect on the incredible bravery of the K9 teams who serve our communities and our country. Among those heroes is Millie, a vital member of the Canada Task Force 1 K9 team.

Millie has spent her career navigating the toughest environments to bring hope and safety to others. And now she’s taking on a different kind of mission: being a mom to a brand-new pup who may one day follow in her paw-steps. 🐾

We are incredibly proud to support the team with preventative and wellness care. 🩺

Thank you for your service, Millie. 💙

03/11/2026

Late night vet question? There’s an app for that. 📱🐾.

Did you know we have a myVCA App that offers FREE 24/7 live chat with a licensed veterinary professional for our hospital’s clients. 💬🐶.

You can also access your pets’ vaccine records, lab results, and book appointments on the app. Download it today at vcacanada.com/myvca-app 📲🐱.

We are here to support you and your pet, day or night. ❤️🐾.

03/08/2026

🩺👩‍⚕️ We Rise by Lifting Others 👩‍⚕🩺

In our experience, the real power of lies in our network. With the 3,640 women who support each other, share hard-won knowledge, and ensure that when one rises, we all do.

It happens in the small, collaborative moments; the huddles over a difficult X-ray or the late-night brainstorming on a surgical approach. For the women who make up 88% of our teams, it means that a breakthrough in one room becomes a teaching moment for the whole hospital. It’s this constant exchange of expertise that turns us into a powerhouse of innovation.

We are incredibly proud of the resilient women on our teams who model this mindset every day. By giving their time, expertise, and compassion, they are ensuring that we all gain a stronger, more connected, and more compassionate veterinary community. 💙

03/04/2026

We all want the best for our pets, but the 'perfect' diet can feel like a moving target. 🎯

Understanding the foundational differences between cats and dogs (as well as the pros and cons of cooked vs. raw food) is key to keeping your furry family members healthy.

Let's break down some essentials:

🥬 Raw vs. Cooked: While raw diets may look more "natural," when we look at the science, nutrition is about more than just protein; it’s about safety, digestibility, and the unique biological blueprints of our cats and dogs.

💦 Hydration Management: Both dogs and cats need a balance. While dogs are generally good at self-regulating their water intake, cats can be extremely water-sensitive. Providing moisture-rich food can be a game-changer!

❗ Unique Requirements: Always remember that cats are obligate carnivores, while dogs are adaptable omnivores that can even digest starch. Their metabolisms differ in fundamental ways.

At the end of the day, nutrition isn't one-size-fits-all. It's about finding the right balance for your unique pet while keeping your home environment safe from harmful bacteria. Whether you're navigating a picky eater or looking to level up their hydration, we’re here to help you cut through the noise with science-backed care.

For more nutritional guidence, check out our pet resources here 👉 https://bit.ly/4suvWNP or give us a call today if you have any questions.

03/02/2026

🐾 | Jesse and the 411 on RVT 360 🐾

For Jesse, the love for animals all started with a Blue Heeler named Flynn. He was an early riser who loved to chase snowmobiles and birds, and for a young girl who was just small enough to pick him up, he was her entire world. But when Flynn began having seizures when Jesse was just four, everything changed. "Seeing my parents struggle to make decisions for him was difficult", she remembers. "The lack of information and the feeling of helplessness that we experienced is what encouraged me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine."

Today, that same passion for communication is what drives her in the program at VCA Canada. This initiative selects experienced Registered Veterinary Technicians for focused mentorship and advanced training to help alleviate the strain caused by the increased demand on the country’s veterinarians.

For Jesse, it’s about more than just the technical side of the job. "I originally thought I wanted to be a vet, but switched to vet tech, and it is such a better fit for me," she shares. "The doctors do the exams but then spend a lot of time on research and paperwork. I’ve found that being up and with the patients and the clients just fills my soul a bit more."

And it's through our RVT 360 program, that Jesse is able to do wellness exams and lighten the doctor's load, ensuring that every family gets the clear communication she wished she had as a child. As she puts it, "RVT 360 has given me a chance to do more in my career, more than I may have thought possible. It brings me joy that this is the way the industry seems to be going. Honestly, I don’t think I would have these opportunities if I hadn’t been at VCA Canada."

When we empower our technicians to use their full skills, the result is simple: "More minds, more eyes, more hands-on the pet, and more conversations about them. When all is said and done, more pets are being seen and getting the care they deserve."

02/27/2026

🐾 Today's is for Frisky 🐾

Frisky and his owner have been part of the family for years, building a long-standing relationship with a care team that knows his personality just as well as his medical history.

But recently, that bond was put to the ultimate test. After a series of major life setbacks and a difficult hip replacement of his own, Frisky’s dad was struggling just to move. So when Frisky was brought in to his team at VCA Canada Northumberland Animal Hospital about a growing mass over his eye, his owner felt completely defeated believing that saying a final goodbye was the only kindness left to give.

But his care team didn't see a cat at the end of his road. They saw a bright, purring, gentle boy who just needed a helping hand.

Knowing this bond was too precious to lose, our teams went to work. With the support of VCA Canada’s program, we were able to provide the funds for the surgery 🙌 because for us, "care" means more than just a medical chart, it means keeping families together.

In a true display of teamwork across our network, the DVM specialists at VCA Canada Foster Park Animal Hospital stepped in to perform the procedure, ensuring Frisky got the expert care he needed.

We are so proud to support our teams across all our locations that lead with their hearts. Whether it’s in a surgical suite or through a routine check-up, our mission is to ensure that the bond between pets and their parents remains unbroken.

We are happy to report Frisky is back home with his devoted owner and they are both very happy! 💙

02/25/2026

You get promised a nap, but wake up feeling ✨ lighter ✨

and isn't just about preventing "suprise" grand-puppies. It helps your pet stay calmer, healthier, and way less likely to mark your favorite rug as their territory. Plus with a little Gaba treat, everyone's feeling great!

Pro-Tips for Pet Parents:
1️⃣ Schedule early (recovery is easier on younger pets!).
2️⃣ Prep a "recovery suite" with their favorite blankets.
3️⃣ Stock up on treats for the "post-op" apology tour.

It’s a win for you, a win for them, and a win for the local shelters. 🐾

02/18/2026

We asked DVM Maya what the "tooth" is about keeping your pets pearly whites actually white. Here are her top 3 ways to avoid a ruff trip to the dentist:

1️⃣ Brush like a pro. Daily brushing with vet-approved paste. (No, your minty fresh Crest doesn’t count). 🦷
2️⃣ Give it some "give." If a toy is hard as a rock, it’s a one-way ticket to a cracked tooth. stick to toys for dogs and cats with some bounce. 🔴
3️⃣ See what’s under the hood. Most dental drama happens under the gumline. X-rays are the only way to see what an awake exam misses. 🦴✨

Have any questions or want to book a cleaning for your pet? Give us a call today!

02/16/2026

🐾 | Laurie and the Power of Unstoppable Connection 🐾

Today, we want to introduce you to one of our Associates, Laurie. She was a 2024 semi-finalist for the Mars, Incorporated Make The Difference (MTD) Awards, a global recognition program that sees thousands of Associates nominated for their work across businesses, regions, and segments.

Laurie’s journey to the awards (and with animals) began at home in Quebec with her pugs, Boris and Dennis. While Boris is your classic "couch potato" pug, Dennis is a high-energy, "unstoppable" force. As Laurie puts it, they taught her a vital lesson for the veterinary world: "you never know what you will get".

In her professional world, Laurie encountered a different kind of challenge: the archaic and inefficient industry standard of General Practice veterinarians waiting on hold for extended periods to reach a specialist. While many accepted this as "just the way things are", Laurie saw an opportunity to build a better bridge.

She set out to develop a new chat platform for referrals, determined to remove the call barriers between the General Practice doctors and the specialized care their patients deserve.

When her boss suggested submitting her project for the (MTD) Awards, she realized "wow we work at a company where we're being rewarded for using our brains. Not all companies are like that", and in 2024, Laurie's project was selected and she went on to be named one of only five semi-finalists in the Veterinary division in Canada!

Coming from a background in smaller clinics, Laurie was used to working with limited resources but says "when you see a program like this, you see the benefits. It helps pets, it helps our people, and you feel connected". She was also genuinely surprised to find that at VCA Canada, you "aren't just a number or a small fish in the ocean. You are part of something bigger. These resources we now have acces to help provide higher-quality medicine, be a better employee, and connect more with your colleagues".

As Laurie says, being recognized for her creativity and problem-solving has changed her perspective on her career: "It makes you want to go to work and feel more like Dennis does — unstoppable".

Address

16 Pretoria Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1S1W7

Opening Hours

Monday	7:30am - 7pm
Tuesday	7:30am - 7pm
Wednesday	7:30am - 7pm
Thursday	7:30am - 7pm
Friday	7:30am - 6pm

Telephone

+16135650588

Website

http://www.vcacanada.com/pretoria

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