Pet owners who take their animals to the Ontario Veterinary College’s (OVC) primary care facility on Smith Lane will now be looking for a new hospital name. The former Companion Animal Hospital has been renamed the OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital.
The hospital is located in the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), says practice manager Lisa Veit, and its services are open to the public without a referral. “The OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital provides clients and their pets with a full complement of services, including preventive health care such as wellness exams and vaccinations, as well as general medicine and surgery, dental care, and nutritional and behavioural consultations.” OVC Fitness and Rehabilitation Services are also located in the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre.
Veit says the new name celebrates OVC’s roots. Smith Lane is named for OVC founder Andrew Smith, who established the Upper Canada Veterinary School in 1862; it became the Ontario Veterinary College in 1869. OVC then became one of the University of Guelph’s founding colleges 50 years ago.
“Soon the University of Guelph community will see much more about the OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital’s new name and logo, including better directional and building signage and a new website address,” she adds. The hospital also plans to invite clients and the public to an open house and tour of the facility during College Royal, March 15 and 16.
Veit reminds users not to confuse the OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital with OVC’s Small Animal Clinic on College Avenue, where animals are seen on referral from a veterinarian. She says new clients are always welcome at the Smith Lane facility, and pet owners can call themselves to make an appointment.
The OVC Smith Lane Animal Hospital is located within the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre at 48 Smith Lane. For more information, call 519-840-0100, email ovcslah@uoguelph.ca, or visit www.OVCslah.ca.