B.C. Veterinary Practice Receives National Award for Excellence
Tanglefoot Veterinary Services Ltd. has been recognized as the 2023 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Practice of the Year for outstanding achievement within their community.
Established in 2013, the CVMA Practice of the Year Award is sponsored by Scotiabank, a leader in banking services for professionals. The award recognizes a veterinary practice team for outstanding achievement within their local community. Such achievements may include innovations in provision of veterinary services, commitment to work-life balance, meaningful community or charitable involvement, or implementation of green practice procedures.
Originally founded in 2009, Tanglefoot Veterinary Services Ltd. is a progressive, full service, mixed animal practice in the East Kootenay region of B.C. that has grown to employ seven veterinarians and 22 support staff, including seven full-time registered veterinary technologists/technicians (RVTs). In addition to quality patient care, Tanglefoot has an unfaltering commitment to local community, creating work-life balance for their team, and working towards a sustainable future for the veterinary community.
In 2022, Tanglefoot initiated the formation of the East Kootenay Vet Group (EKVG) which consists of seven local clinics that share after-hours emergency call. This has greatly improved quality of life for all doctors in the area and provided clients with stability, as the strain of after-hour emergencies is now shared.
“When Tanglefoot took on emergency and after-hours care for our region, not because they had to, because they felt a deep sense of responsibility to our community, I was thankful to know they would be our care providers should we need anything. With a growing community and seeing the toll that 12 months of sole emergent care had taken on the Tanglefoot team, it was clear more clinics needed to share the load, or we may lose our emergent care all together,” says Ms. Ty Kreutzer Owner of Kootenay Canine Adventures.
“We are very impressed with the establishment of the EKVG and the level of organization that has come with it. I have personally used this service for my own dog and the level of care we received was second to none. We commend Tanglefoot for their ingenuity and forward thinking to provide our community and many others with this much needed collaboration. We are grateful to have such a dedicated team ensuring there are emergent services available to all our small communities,” adds Ms. Kreutzer.
Tanglefoot is committed to playing an integral role in the development of future members of the veterinary community. Since 2018, Tanglefoot has hosted 42 veterinary, RVT, and other students for internships, externships, practicum placements, and summer positions. Tanglefoot is also community-focused, including support of their local 4H club, providing veterinary services for rodeos, and supporting several small animal rescue organizations in the area.
“Tanglefoot has shown dedication to training the next generation of veterinarians. During my summer at Tanglefoot, I received excellent hands-on mentorship from the veterinarians and support staff. Everyone was willing to take the time to teach me whether it be a technician giving me tips for successful blood draws or a veterinarian explaining a complicated case,” explains Dr. Emily Lieuwen. “At Tanglefoot, veterinary students scrub in for surgeries like enucleations and C-sections and gain experience educating clients and triaging emergencies. I still draw on the knowledge and skills I gained at TVS in my practice today.”
The Tanglefoot team looks forward to serving their community for many generations to come.
Alberta Veterinarian Honoured with President’s Award
Dr. Darrell Dalton received the 2023 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) President’s Award for his long and dedicated service to the association and his tireless contributions to the veterinary profession. The CVMA President’s Award recognizes an individual member for his/her exceptional contributions and devotion to the association. Recipients are selected by the President and the CVMA Executive Committee.
Dr. Dalton was born and raised in Calgary where he developed a strong passion for horses. He attended the pre-vet program at the University of Alberta and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 1980. Dr. Dalton immediately opened a solo standardbred racetrack practice. In 1986, he moved to Red Deer, Alta. to establish a general equine practice which eventually had a strong emphasis on equine reproduction until its closure.
“Dr. Dalton’s passion for horses and the equine space was a strong implication that he was going to be extremely successful in not only horse medicine, but the veterinary community as a whole,” says Dr. Chris Bell, President of the CVMA.
Dr. Dalton joined the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) Council in 2005 where he became Vice President. He joined the ABVMA staff in 2007 as the Assistant to the Registrar and went onto to become Registrar, a position retained until his retirement in January 2023.
As Registrar, Dr. Dalton was a strong advocate for the CVMA. He negotiated the financial arrangements between the ABVMA and CVMA for Alberta’s organizational membership. Dr. Dalton was closely involved in the establishment of the Canadian Council of Veterinary Registrars and spent two terms as the Chair.
Dr. Dalton strongly advocated for inclusion of registered veterinary technicians and technologists (RVTs) as full voting members of the ABVMA, which occurred in 2017, and continued to advocate for this on a national level.
“Dr. Dalton has been a strong and consistent presence in the CVMA; his input has helped maintain the important relationship between the ABVMA and the CVMA, including advocating for RVTs. This has been not only to the benefit of animal health and welfare but public health as well,” says Dr. Bell.
Dr. Dalton actively continues to seek ways to serve the veterinary community in Canada.
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