Opportunities are as attractive as pets at VCA Canada

Dara McQueen grew up in a home without pets – a sibling was allergic to animals – which inspired her to dream of a career as a veterinarian. She realized her goal when she earned a doctor of veterinary medicine degree in May 2023 and promptly landed a position as an associate veterinarian at a VCA Canada clinic in Calgary.

“Growing up, I always wanted to be around animals,” says McQueen. “That passion drove me and made me want to have a career in veterinary medicine.”

Having achieved that goal, she has discovered something else about her desired profession. “The scope of possibilities for a veterinarian is massive,” says McQueen. “There are so many different opportunities that you can pursue.”

That applies to more than just DVMs – or doctors of veterinary medicine. “Our range of practices across the country provides all our associates, not just veterinarians, with broad opportunities for career development and career pathing,” says Cathy Gaviller, general manager of VCA Canada.

VCA Canada clinics employ a range of professionals beyond doctors. These include technicians, or veterinary nurses, technician assistants and client care associates who provide a number of services for clients and their pets. No matter where someone starts, there are opportunities for advancement.

“We have associates who have started in entry-level roles such as kennel attendants, technician assistants or client service representatives and we have supported them to go to school to become animal health technologists,” says Gaviller.

One of the company’s medical oncologists at a specialty clinic began her career as a receptionist when she was in high school, says Gaviller. She worked for VCA Canada while she was a veterinary student, then did a one-year postgrad internship at a specialty hospital, and the company supported her during a three-year oncology residency.

McQueen began her journey in the profession when she was a high-school student. “I started as a cleaner at a general practice VCA Canada clinic,” says McQueen. “In the summer months, when I was at University of Calgary, I worked as a technician assistant at an emergency hospital.”

VCA Canada also provides opportunities for associates to move geographically if circumstances dictate. The Calgary-based company operates over 150 hospitals in six provinces, from British Columbia to Nova Scotia. “If an associate comes to us and says their partner has to relocate to another part of the country, we support them in finding another position in their new city,” Gaviller adds. “We pride ourselves on supporting them.”

The company also provides mentorship and professional development for associates at all levels. “The mentorship program was huge for me,” says McQueen. “I really wanted a good start to my career, to feel comfortable, to go at my own pace and to have a mentor to lean on.”

VCA Academy is a program that offers online lectures on clinically relevant topics delivered by professionals from across the country.

Gaviller says that many associates are attracted to the company because of its values. “It’s always people and their pets first,” she notes. “When it comes to making decisions of setting priorities, we always make a concerted effort to deliver high-quality medicine.”

This article appeared in the magazine announcing this year's Alberta’s Top Employers winners, published January 28, 2025 in the Calgary Herald and Edmonton Journal. This article was prepared with the financial support of the employer, which reviewed but did not write its contents.