About Us
The Origins of Blair Animal Hospital
The Blair Animal Hospital was started by the late Dr. John Taylor in November 1970. It's original site was in a shopping centre close to Blair Road and Ogilvie Road. Dr. Taylor was British, and had practiced veterinary medicine in Windsor before emigrating to Canada to work at the National Research Council. Since there were fewer veterinary clinics in Ottawa at the time, Dr. Taylor decided to return to his previous occupation of looking after the welfare of pet animals.
Within several months he found himself over-whelmed and was thankful to have Dr. Michael Castell join him. Dr Castell was another Britisher who had also practiced in Windsor before emigrating to Alberta. The work load quickly grew for the two pioneers allowing for yet another 'Brit' to join the group, Dr. Mike Alder. As their reputation grew and clients sought their services, Dr. Taylor called in more reinforcements (he was also considering opening another clinic on the other side of the city). In August 1974, Dr. Eddie Beltran (another 'Brit") and two Canadians, Dr.Brian Saunders and Dr. Paul Egan, rounded out the group of 6. At that point, Blair Animal Hospital was the only fully regulated AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) clinic between Kingston and Montreal.
After hours emergencies were common in those days and when serious injuries or problems arrived, the vet on duty could always rely on one or two of their colleagues to come and help (and car accidents were frequent)! There were no specialists in Ottawa, but the small group adapted by allowing each individual to excel in a particular area of interest (ophthalmology, neurology, orthopedics, behaviour, internal medicine, cardiology, dermatology, etc.) and could refer difficult problems to the one who was best suited to deal with them.
Blair Animal Hospital Today
Dr. Taylor eventually left Blair to concentrate on his new clinic. Dr. Egan moved to B.C., and Dr. Alder returned to England. For some time there had been discussion about renovating the clinic - or building a new one. The present Blair Animal Hospital opened on Shefford Road in 1990. Dr Castell retired in 2003, Dr. Saunders in 2006, while Dr. Beltran continues to practice at the facility today.
In April 2004, the Blair Animal Hospital was bought by Dr. Sean Walter and the Ontario Veterinary Group. Dr. Walter had been an associate at the hospital since the winter of 2002. To this day, the Blair Animal hospital operates under the principles of its founders, while following AAHA's standards of medical care, facility maintenance and continuing education (for more information on AAHA's veterinary standards, please contact us at 613-746-2443).