SBCV 2025 FALL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW
This is a hybrid event offering in-person attendance as well as remote attendance in real time. Only in-person attendees may attend our fabulous trade show.
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel
7551 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC V6X 1A3
SBCV 2025 FALL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW
Friday, November 7; Saturday, November 8; and Sunday, November 9, 2025
WELCOME TO THE SBCV 2025 FALL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW
SHERATON VANCOUVER AIRPORT HOTEL
7551 WESTMINSTER HIGHWAY, RICHMOND, BC V6X 1A3
This year’s Fall Conference & Trade Show takes place at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond. The conference features 15 CVBC-approved CE credit hours of relevant and timely education on Wonky Back Ends, Soft Tissue Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging, Pain Management and Arthritis, Delegation of Care, and Building or Buying a Practice.
Ticket prices include refreshments each day, as well as lunches on Saturday and Sunday for in-person ticket holders. Zoom links will be provided for remote tickets.
In-person attendees will enjoy ample time to connect and network with colleagues during dedicated trade show times on Saturday and during lunch on Sunday.
CE sessions are geared toward veterinarians; RVTs, AHTs, and practice staff are welcome to attend at the full fee, unless otherwise specified. SBCV members enjoy a 50% discount on ticket prices as a benefit of membership, and as an additional exclusive benefit, SBCV members can purchase Saturday and Sunday non-veterinarian tickets for their staff at a sharply reduced rate: please call us at 604.406.3713 to get the discount code. There is also an RVT lunch and learn special ticket for Sunday’s lunch and afternoon session.
The SBCV 2025 Fall Conference & Trade Show has been organized by the SBCV Continuing Education Committee:
Dr. Corrine Searle (Chair)
Dr. Marco Veenis (Board Liaison)
Dr. Caitlin Goeres
Dr. Ashton Wickramaratne SBCV Staff and other financialbenefits
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2025
EVENING SESSION
5:00 pm Registration Opens
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Round Table: Building or Buying A Veterinary Practice with Sarah Armstrong, DVM; Elizabeth Bellavance, MBA, CEPA, DMV; Fraser Davidson, BVSc; Kevin Ponte and Greg Toner, CPA, CA, TEP, CLU (3 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by TD
This session will focus on succession planning, practice acquisition, and the process of starting or buying a veterinary practice, targeting recent graduates and midcareer veterinarians interested in ownership. Speakers will explore the complexities of purchasing an existing practice versus launching a new one, providing insights into current market trends, seller priorities, and the step-by-step process of practice acquisition. Additionally, the session will provide an overview of bank financing options, including strategies for securing funds for expansion and equipment purchases, while clarifying loan types, qualification criteria, and the application process. The goal is to empower veterinarians to make informed financial decisions and build strong relationships with lenders. Speakers will also emphasize that, to purchase a practice, veterinarians do not need to be experts in every area—successful owners build a supportive team of professionals, including bankers, lawyers, accountants, and bookkeepers, while keeping critical factors in mind as they pursue their practice ownership goals.
F R I D A Y N O V E M B E R 7
PLEASE VISIT OUR TRADE SHOW EXHIBITORS—
ONE DAY ONLY, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8—AT THE SBCV 2025 FALL CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2025
MORNING SESSION
7:00 am 9:30 am - 10:00 am
Registration Opens
8:00 am – 9:30 am
10:00 am –11:30 am
Soft Tissue Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging (Part 1) with Koji Aoki, BVSc, DACVS and Alexandra Frey Belotta, MSc, PhD, DVM, DACVR (1.5 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by VetStrategy
This session will explore soft tissue procedures and the use of diagnostic images in veterinary medicine. It will begin with strategies for identifying and managing intestinal foreign bodies and obstructions, including the use of abdominal ultrasound and radiographs to identify obstructions. The discussion will then move to surgical techniques for intestinal surgery, with a focus on diagnosing and managing complications. Speakers will explore the challenges of GDV—from diagnosis to surgery and other solutions—and cover the essentials of splenic tumors, including types of imaging and their limitations, and tips on splenectomies.
Trade Show and Morning Refreshments
Soft Tissue Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging (Part 2) with Koji Aoki, BVSc, DACVS and Alexandra Frey Belotta, MSc, PhD, DVM, DACVR (1.5 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by VetStrategy
11:30 am–1:00 pm
Trade Show and Lunch
AFTERNOON SESSION
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Pain Management and Arthritis (Part 1) with Conny Mosley, CVA, DVM, DACVAA (1.5 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by True North Veterinary Diagnostics
This session on pain management and arthritis explores chronic pain as a complex challenge in veterinary medicine. New developments in osteoarthritis research call for a fundamental change in its management—emphasizing prevention, early diagnosis, and timely intervention. This proactive approach aims to slow joint deterioration, prevent compensatory muscle changes, and minimize the development of chronic pain syndromes. The overall impact of chronic pain on a pet’s health and emotional well-being plays a significant role in treatment outcomes. Treatment plans, including integrative options, should be tailored to the individual patient’s pain level and disease stage, with thorough assessments guiding decision-making. Educating and communicating effectively with pet owners is crucial for building a strong, trusting relationship—key to managing this challenging long-term disease successfully.
Trade Show and Afternoon Refreshments
Pain Management and Arthritis (Part 2) with Conny Mosley, CVA, DVM, DACVAA (1.5 CE credits)
5:00 pm - 5:30 pm
AGM Registration with Wine and Cheese for SBCV Members
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Generously sponsored by True North Veterinary Diagnostics S A T U R D A Y N O V E M B E R 8
Generously sponsored by NVA Canada
Annual General Meeting of the SBCV
The AGM is open to SBCV members only. Members attending the entire AGM (in-person or remotely) will be entered into a draw for a $250 RBC Visa gift card.
To book a hotel room, please scan the QR code.
Please note that you must book before Wednesday, October 20, to receive the group rate, while availability exists.
Bookings made after this date are subject to availability.
SPEAKERS
Dr. Koji Aoki
Koji Aoki, BVSc, DACVS, is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons at West Coast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital (WAVES) in BC. Dr. Aoki grew up in Japan, where he attended veterinary college and worked as a veterinarian. He completed rotating and surgical internships in the US and came to Canada for a small animal surgery residency USask, staying as a surgery faculty member for six years before joining WAVES.
Dr. Sarah Armstrong
Sarah Armstrong, DVM, completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Guelph in Biomedical Sciences in 2003 and graduated from the DVM program at the Ontario Veterinary College in 2007. After practicing in Ontario for two years in general practice, she moved to Vancouver, where she worked for the Vancouver Animal Emergency and Referral Centre for 10 years. Dr. Armstrong is currently the Medical Director at Olympic Village Veterinary Clinic.
Dr. Elizabeth Bellavance
Elizabeth Bellavance, MBA, CMA (retired), CEPA, DMV, is a specialist in veterinary practice valuation and brokerage. She has served on VetPartners’ Veterinary Valuation Council since 2005. She completed the core curriculum at the Canadian Institute of Business Valuators and has been a Certified Exit Planning Advisor since 2008. With real estate licenses in ON and BC, she facilitates veterinary practice transactions and provides guidance on selling, buying, and valuation.
Dr. Alexandra Frey Belotta
Alexandra Frey Belotta, MSc, PhD, DVM, DACVR, is a board-certified veterinary radiologist at the West Coast Animal Veterinary Emergency Specialty Hospital (WAVES) in Langford, BC. She earned her DVM degree at Sao Paulo State University (Brazil), completing a residency training program and graduate studies in veterinary radiology. After completing her PhD, she completed a postdoctoral fellowship, internship, and residency training in diagnostic imaging at USask. She became board-certified in 2024, staying on one year as a clinical faculty member before joining WAVES.
Dr. Fraser Davidson
Fraser Davidson, BVSc, grew up in Vancouver and spent most of his childhood adventuring around the West Coast (mainly the Gulf Islands and Whistler). He is a dual citizen of both Canada and New Zealand, where he trained to become a veterinarian. He graduated in 2005 and spent five years working and travelling around Europe before moving back to Canada in 2010. He and his family moved to Squamish in 2017 and opened Sea to Sky Veterinary Clinic in 2021.
Dr. Liz Meiman
Elizabeth (Liz) Meiman, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology), is a veterinary neurologist from Connecticut. She earned her BCs degree at the University of Connecticut and her DVM at Iowa State University. Dr. Meiman completed her residency in Neurology/Neurosurgery through a dual program at the University of Missouri and Charlotte Animal Referral & Emergency (CARE). She has earned the ACVIM Neurosurgery Certificate of Training.
Dr. Conny Mosley
Conny Mosley, CVA, DVM, DACVAA, is a board-certified anesthesiologist and the Veterinary Consultant for Pain and Internal Medicine for Elanco Canada. She’s held faculty positions at North Carolina State University, Oregon State University, and the Ontario Veterinary College, and has been a private specialty practice anesthesiologist, running an integrative veterinary pain clinic. She is certified in acupuncture, served on the WSAVA Global Pain Council, and is the founding director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine.
Kevin Ponte
Kevin Ponte is the Pacific Regional Manager for TD’s Professional Banking program. Having spent 15 years with the TD Business and Commercial Bank, Kevin has a passion for customer service and expanding TD’s brand awareness within the health care professionals’ community. Kevin also plays a pivotal role in the evolution of TD’s product development and value proposition for the health care community.
Dr. James Sudhoff
James Sudhoff, BSc, DVM, is an Associate Teaching Professor with the Department of Animal Health at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and is a faculty member of the Veterinary Technology Program. He received his BSc from the University College of the Cariboo (now TRU) and a DVM from WCVM. He is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Greg Toner
Greg Toner, CPA, CA, TEP, CLU, and owner of Vet CPA Professional Corporation, is a tax professional who focuses on providing accounting and tax planning services to veterinarians in Canada. He offers tailored services for every stage of a veterinarian’s career—from new graduates to those with established practices, to those preparing for retirement.
Dr. Greta VanDeventer
Greta VanDeventer, DVM, DACVS, grew up in Vermont and moved to Canada after traveling widely across the US and Canada for school and training. Her research interests focus primarily on working dogs and orthopedics, including describing a novel, minimally invasive ultrasound technique to diagnose hip luxation in dogs.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2025
MORNING SESSION
7:00 am
Registration Opens
8:00 am -10:00 am Wonky Back Ends: Neurological or Orthopedic? (Part 1) with Liz Meiman, DVM, DACVIM and Greta VanDeventer, DVM, DACVS (2 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by Associated Veterinary Purchasing Co. Ltd.
This session will address the complex challenges of diagnosing and treating canine patients with “wonky back ends” by comparing the nuances of both neurological and orthopedic assessments. Attendees will learn to distinguish between these approaches when evaluating hind end lameness and gait issues. The session will cover the components of a neurologic examination and how to localize a lesion within the nervous system, comparing and contrasting these evaluations with orthopedic conditions. Video footage of gait analysis cases will allow attendees to test their skills, building confidence in recognizing patterns of neurologic versus orthopedic weaknesses. The speakers will also review the mechanics of the orthopedic exam of the hind end and share tips for differentiating orthopedic from neurologic causes of pelvic limb gait abnormalities. Common causes and treatments of pelvic limb lameness—such as hip dysplasia, coxofemoral luxation, cranial cruciate ligament disease, iliopsoas injury, common calcanean tendon injury, and medial patellar luxation—will be discussed. The goal is to help attendees feel more confident in diagnosing and creating treatment plans for orthopedic conditions affecting the hind end.
10:00 am - 10:30 am 10:30 am–12:30 pm
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
This session addresses how animal health technologists can be used to their fullest potential by interpreting the legislative framework of the CVBC bylaws and exploring the boundaries of clinical applications that can be delegated to them in practice. Learning outcomes include understanding the extensive scope of training that animal health technologists receive, understanding the meaning of the “registered” designation, defining “supervision” as used in the CVBC bylaws, and differentiating procedures that can be delegated at each level of supervision (direct personal, direct, and indirect). The session will demonstrate strategies to expand the in-clinic utilization of technologists within their full scope of practice (e.g., anesthesia, dentistry) while staying within regulatory parameters and ensuring appropriate competence and experience. S U N D A Y N O V E M B E R 9 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Wonky Back Ends: Neurological or Orthopedic? (Part 2) with Liz Meiman, DVM, DACVIM and Greta VanDeventer, DVM, DACVS (2 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by Associated Veterinary Purchasing Co. Ltd.
Morning Refreshments Lunch
Generously sponsored by Associated Veterinary Purchasing Co. Ltd.
Join us for a delicious lunch hosted by our friends at AVP. Their kind staff will share valuable insights, including AVP exclusive programs and opportunities to enhance your practice. This is a wonderful collegial opportunity to learn over a delicious meal. Lunch is included as part of the all-day ticket; lunch tickets are not sold separately.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Delegation of Care to Animal Health Technologists with James Sudhoff, BSc, DVM (2 CE credits)
Generously sponsored by Associated Veterinary Purchasing Co. Ltd.
The SBCV is grateful for the generosity of our CE Session Sponsors
Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel - Richmond, BC
SBCV members get 50% off ticket costs Not a member? Become a member today! (Please call 604.283.6220 to take immediate advantage of the discount.)