Friday June 7, 2019 ~ LANGFORD
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc. ~ West Shore Voice News
WAVES is open in Langford. The new West Coast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty (WAVES) Hospital is a “veterinarian’s vet” service accepting cases for pets that require further diagnosis, scanning, surgery or orthopedic attention.
Located in the growing west shore that continues to welcome more families to the region, the animal care medical service is expecting to see a booming business. Other than a veterinary hospital located in Victoria, this is the only service of its kind in the Greater Victoria area. It’s about providing full time critical care, internal medicine, surgical, and rehabilitation departments under one roof.
An official opening at the WAVES location at 947 Langford Parkway was held on Wednesday afternoon June 5. The ribbon cutting event including cake and coffee was hosted by the Westshore Chamber of Commerce and attended by City of Langford Councillors Matt Sahlstrom, Lanny Seaton and Norma Stewart. That followed a soft opening of the premises held about eight weeks ago.
WAVES is headed up by four partners: Dr Erinne Branter (Internal Medicine), Dr Suzanne Smith (Emergency Veterinarian, Rehabilitation Practitioner), Dr Christian Bolliger (Surgery), and Dr Erin Simmonds (Critical Care).
The event was a special day for the 35 clinic staff who are clearly impassioned in what they do to care for animals.
“Our main procedures are orthopedics, emergencies and ultrasounds and endoscopies. Our unique offering to our clients are minimally invasive and vascular procedures,” says Dr Branter.
There is no primary care as available at regular veterinary facilities. They do not do vaccinations or any regular checkups. It’s all about taking care of those special health circumstances and emergencies. They are an ’emergency room’ for urgent pet care, providing triage and treatment.
People with pets requiring emergency care (such as after a sudden major emergency) may take their pets to WAVES, including in the evening. They’re open 7 days a week, 8 am to midnight.
The facility itself includes reception, exam rooms (separated for cats and dogs), specialty rooms, and three surgical rooms. Care wards are also separated for cats and dogs for rehab, says Branter. There is an underwater treadmill for animal physiotherapy.
“This is the first service of its kind on the island,” said Branter quite proudly amidst the excitement of the event held outdoors in front of the premise.
Located in a busy retail mall at Langford Parkway and Jacklin Road, there is the added touch of dedicated parking in front of the clinic for WAVES clients.
Langford is big on attracting businesses to their city, and this is another example of a unique and robust enterprise making Langford their home. Businesses and services contribute to the economy including jobs. Small animal emergency veterinarian, reception/client care, and tech assistant positions can be available.