2016 marks OVC Pet Trust’s 30th anniversary of helping pets and the people who love and care for them.
Saying goodbye to a beloved pet and family member is never easy. With the support of veterinary hospitals, individuals and alumni, donations to the Pet Memorial Program provide comfort to clients and friends who are grieving and honours the memory of a pet. Memorial gifts allow Pet Trust to support areas of greatest need in companion animal medicine and research at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), including canine and feline health, cancer and a current fundraising campaign to create new surgery and anesthesia facilities at OVC.
The Kingsway Animal Hospital has been supporting innovative discoveries, healthcare and education at OVC since Pet Trust was established in 1986. The Pet Trust team paid the hospital a visit this summer to say thank you.
The Kingsway Animal Hospital
The team at The Kingsway Animal Hospital
The Kingsway Animal Hospital (KAH), located in the heart of The Kingsway neighbourhood in Toronto, has always placed an importance on being there to support and provide guidance to clients and care for the health of their pet through all stages of life. Built in 1946, the hospital operates out of a small stone house that could easily be mistaken for another home in the area – the location is known for its homey feeling and comfortable atmosphere inside. The KAH has been a proud supporters of OVC Pet Trust since 1986, and has donated more than $60,000 over the past 30 years.
The stars of The KAH
Dr. Wendy Van Slyke, OVC 1981, says The KAH began donating to Pet Trust as a way to honour pets after they performed a euthanasia, and they continue to support OVC because it’s significant to their clients. “It means so much to our clients that we’ve donated to a cause that is helping the health and well-being of companion animals, and veterinary medicine as a whole,” Van Slyke explains. “A donation in memory of a pet is a wonderful way to honour the bond our clients have with a family member they’ve had to say goodbye to,” she adds.
Cute decor at The KAH gives the hospital a relaxing, family feeling
Alyshia Peterkin, office manager at The KAH, says she often gets client feedback after her hospital makes a donation, which is one major reason they’ve continued to support Pet Trust over the years. “We know that pets are like family. Supporting Pet Trust is a way of giving back, while remembering a pet – our clients know the gift is going somewhere where our veterinarians have studied, and to a place where, perhaps, our patients may need to go for advanced care. It’s great to support that.”
Wall of gratitude - so many client cards!
“Our owners tell us that they see our hospital’s donation as a way for their pet’s memory to live on,” says Dr. Rosemary Draganic, OVC 1995, adding that she knows the gesture of donating is very significant to her clients. “We are so happy to support a world-class institution that helps our animals and supports our veterinary community.”
The KAH's office cat, Denny, greeted the Pet Trust team
Thank you to The KAH for welcoming the Pet Trust team into your hospital, and for supporting companion animal health for the past 30 years!
To learn more about OVC Pet Trust’s Pet Memorial Program, how to become an OVC Pet Trust Hospital or to make a donation in memory of a best friend, please contact the Pet Trust team’s Outreach Coordinator, Bailey Kagan: bkagan@uoguelph.ca, or 519-824-4120 ext. 58214.