how a trusted veterinarian helps you navigate every stage of your pet’s life
“they went into this field because they’re passionate about pets,” says anne-solène roy, senior business unit director at zoetis canada.
published jan 14, 2026
4 minute read
4 minute read
when tough decisions about your pet’s health arise, a veterinarian can help you understand your options. supplied
this story is sponsored by
zoetis canada
this story was created by content works, postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of a client.
with more than 12 million canadian households sharing their lives with a dog or cat, pets aren’t just companions — they’re family. and when any member of your family needs medical care, you want to feel confident that their care provider has their best interests at heart.
“as a pet owner, you experience the whole life cycle — the joy and the excitement of welcoming a young pet into your life, and all the changes that come with aging,” says veterinarian, dr. gordon strick. “all of these stages can be intense but immensely gratifying.”
as the associate director, veterinary services for companion animals at zoetis canada, dr. strick collaborates with veterinary teams to develop innovative approaches for diagnosing and treating conditions and diseases to help with every phase of your pet’s life.
dr. gordon strick, associate director, veterinary services for companion animals at zoetis canada. supplied
through his work, dr. strick sees firsthand how much a trusted partnership with a veterinarian supports a pet’s health. “the relationship isn’t just with the veterinarian, it’s about having a team caring for the health of your pet,” he says. “over time, you build a relationship that allows you to ask the questions and get answers tailored to your situation.”
that trust becomes especially important when a pet becomes unwell. and while most pet owners in canada (close to 80 per cent) say they consult a veterinarian when their animal is sick, nearly one in five pet parents report relying exclusively on non-veterinary sources, such as the internet, friends or trainers and groomers, for advice.
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dr. strick says he understands why pet owners might turn to “dr. google,” but urges them to be critical about what they read. “not all information online is wrong, but a veterinarian is best placed to give you the pros and cons of various treatments and, if necessary, comment on things you might have read.”
zoetis canada partners closely with veterinarians by providing trusted medicines, vaccines, and advanced diagnostic tools that support high-quality care. their technical expertise and ongoing education help clinics stay current and deliver the best possible treatment for pets.
“it’s important that zoetis team members have a background in veterinary medicine,” explains dr. strick. “because when we work with veterinary teams, we have a real understanding of what their challenges are. we can bring new treatments and new ways to diagnose or prevent disease to veterinarians, but that information needs to be anchored in their reality and what works within their practice.”
anne-solène roy, senior business unit director at zoetis canada, points out that most veterinarians are pet owners, so that empathy and understanding of the unique bond between pet and owner is baked into their dna. “they went into this field because they’re passionate about pets,” she says. “their goal is to partner with that pet owner, because they want that pet to have a really great quality of life.”
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roy says most veterinarians are general practitioners. “they have a wealth of information in so many areas,” she says. “in addition, they surround themselves with fantastic individuals who work in their practices — whether it’s the receptionist or the veterinary technician — to provide the best care for the animals they treat.”
anne-solène roy, senior business unit director at zoetis canada. supplied
a recent survey suggests most canadians consider veterinarians to be the most trusted source of pet health information, with many citing compassionate care, alongside expertise and transparency.
that said, for a lot of pet owners, cost is a barrier, with more than half having skipped or declined recommended veterinary care in the past year. almost 70 per cent of those who declined care did so for financial reasons or because the care didn’t seem worth the cost.
“good care often comes down to good communication,” says roy, pointing out that there is typically more than one solution to a pet’s health challenge.
“if you’re unable to do an mri on your dog, for example, you need to tell your veterinarian it’s beyond what you can afford, but that you still want to treat your dog,” says dr. strick. “ask about alternatives. there is always something that can be done to help.”
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dr. strick says it’s when tough decisions about a pet’s health arise that the value of a trusted relationship with a veterinarian who truly understands your pet — and where you are in that animal’s care journey — becomes clear.
“when you’ve built that relationship, and you’ve gotten to know each other over time,” dr. strick says, “you’ve had a chance to make a care plan that’s tailored specifically for you and the needs of your pet.”
the best care starts with a trusted partner — visit zoetis pets canada and talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s health and the care options that are best for them.
this story was created by healthing content works, healthing.ca’s commercial content division, on behalf of zoetis canada.
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