During the week of April 21, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) will begin renovations to the Companion Animal Hospital, OVC’s small-animal referral facility at 28 College Avenue West.

Designed to improve client services, the construction project includes a new front entrance, lobby and reception area as well as five new exam rooms, a client comfort room, call centre, billing and discharge area, and donor walls.

“It is very important to our staff, veterinary technicians, and clinicians that when individuals visit the Companion Animal Hospital with their pet, that they feel comfortable and secure in an environment that reflects the expert attention that they’ll be receiving,” says Prof. Stephanie Nykamp, associate dean clinical program.

In the first phase of construction, a new lobby and reception area will be built west of the current entrance to the Companion Animal Hospital. There should be minimal disruptions to the current reception area, but there may be limited access to parking in front of the hospital. Signage will be posted in the parking area to direct clients, and metered parking is available in the adjacent P64.

Clients who need help transporting their pet from the parking lot can call 519-823-8830 for staff assistance.

There may also be disruptions for people entering the Animal Cancer Centre (ACC) next door. If access to the ACC reception area is blocked, clients are asked to enter through the Companion Animal Hospital, where they will be guided to the cancer centre.

Please check the OVC Health Sciences Centre website at www.ovchsc.ca  and click on News and Events for regular updates on the renovation.