Westcoast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital - WAVES

05/19/2026

We're gearing up for an exciting weekend at BCVTA Conference (May 22, 4-7 PM)!
Here's a little sneak peek into what we've been up to. We admit we may have gone a bit overboard with the swag here!
Don't forget to stop at our Booth in the Expo Hall for all the exciting goodies, lots of prizes and to meet some of our amazing RVTs!

05/17/2026

Today is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia.

At our hospital, care goes beyond our patients—it extends to the people who love them and the team who cares for them. We are committed to creating a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and welcome, no matter who they are or who they love.

Kindness, compassion, and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do—for our clients, our patients, and each other. 🐾💙

05/08/2026

It’s Mental Health Week.

Did you know something as simple as a hug can help reduce stress and improve your mood?

In a busy, high-stress world (and especially in vet med), those small moments of connection can make a big difference.

Our surgeon, Dr. Aoki, is known for the care and compassion he brings to every patient—because sometimes, healing starts with something as simple as a moment like this with patients like Jade.

We’re big believers in the power of a good hug—especially when it comes with four legs. 🐾💙

05/05/2026

It’s Mental Health Week 💙

Working in veterinary medicine (and loving animals as much as we all do) can be incredibly rewarding—but it can also be heavy. Taking care of ourselves matters just as much as taking care of our patients.

We want to know—what helps you relieve stress?
Is it getting outside, time with your pets, a good workout, or something else?

Share your go-to in the comments 👇

05/01/2026

🐢 Have you ever seen a tortoise in a CT scanner? Now you have!

Meet Flippers, a 7-year-old Hermann’s tortoise who visited WAVES for some advanced imaging — something we don’t see every day (we’re usually scanning cats and dogs!).

Flippers was referred for a CT with Dr. Oren Ofer, our board-certified radiologist, as part of a thorough diagnostic workup that also included radiographs (x-rays) and ultrasound. His care team was looking to better understand his health and development after some early-life malnutrition.

To help get clear, diagnostic-quality images, Flippers was carefully wrapped in tortoise-pattern vet wrap to keep his limbs still during the scan — a creative (and very fitting!) solution by our team.

Cases like this are a great reminder that veterinary medicine can look a little different every day — and we’re always ready for it. 💙

👉 “What’s the most unique pet you’ve ever seen or owned?”

04/29/2026

We’re heading to the BCVTA Conference!

This conference brings veterinary technicians and students together from across the province for continuing education, hands-on training, and the latest in patient care.

We’ll be there because investing in our team means better care for our patients—and we’re also looking to grow that team.

Come meet Jaime and Trina, two of our support team leads and RVTs, in the Expo Hall on May 22 | 4–7pm in Richmond
🎡 Spin the wheel for prizes
💬 Chat all things ER & Specialty
💼 Learn about RVT opportunities at WAVES

Are you attending this year? Let us know—we’d love to connect in person. 🐾

04/21/2026

This week, we’re celebrating our incredible Client Services Team for Veterinary Receptionist Week 💙

They are the first voice you hear, the first face you see, and the ones helping guide you through some of the most emotional and stressful moments of pet ownership. From coordinating urgent cases to supporting worried pet parents, they carry an enormous amount of responsibility—often all at once, and always under pressure.

Our team is growing and learning every day, and we are so proud of the compassion, resilience, and dedication they bring to each interaction.

There is so much happening behind the scenes at the front desk, and it takes a special kind of person to do this role with the level of care and professionalism they bring every day.

Join us in celebrating them this week—they truly deserve it 💙

04/20/2026

🌿 4/20 Reminder: what’s safe for you isn’t always safe for your pets

As cannabis products become more common, we’re seeing an increase in accidental pet exposures — especially with edibles.

Dogs in particular don’t pass up the chance to sample things like gummies, baked goods, or even dried cannabis… and unfortunately, that curiosity can lead to some scary symptoms.

💡 Keep in mind:
• Edibles often contain high concentrations of THC
• Many also include other toxins like chocolate or xylitol
• Even small amounts can affect pets

The best prevention? Keep all cannabis products securely stored and out of reach.

If your pet ever gets into something they shouldn’t, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital right away — our WAVES team is here 24/7 if urgent care is needed.

No judgment, just care. 🐾💙

04/16/2026

We’re proud to share a glimpse into our hospital and the team behind the care. While a short video can’t capture everything that goes into each case, it reflects the standard we hold ourselves to every day—skilled medicine, strong teamwork, and a deep commitment to our patients.

Behind the scenes, our team is constantly assessing, adapting, and working together to deliver the highest level of care possible. It’s that consistency and expertise that define what we do.

We’re proud of our team—and the work we do for every patient who comes through our doors 💙

We’re also growing and currently hiring RVTs across our ER and specialty teams. If you’re looking to work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a strong standard of care, we’d love to connect.

Take a look!

🐾 Meet the Team! At our West Coast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital (WAVES), it’s not just about delivering exceptional care - it’s about doing it together. Join a collaborative team of ER vets, specialists, CCRs and RVTs who work hard, support each other and have a lot of fun a...