When work and pleasure blend….life is good!
The West Boulevard Veterinary Clinic is fortunate to have an excellent human resources team to care for both the medical and business needs of the hospital. The structure of this team is based upon the well-being of pets that are entrusted to our care.
Our Team consists of four veterinarians…two full time and two part time, a Registered Animal Health Technician, a full time Veterinary Office Assistant, two part time VOA graduates and a dedicated group of part time student staff. In addition to our regular personnel, WBVC has access to the services of Board Certified Veterinary Specialists who come to our facility as required. WBVC also utilizes the services and expertise of the veterinarians at the Canada West Veterinary Specialist and Critical Care Group, and the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic.
Dr. Janne Potter
Dr. Janne Potter received an Honours B.Sc. and Diploma of Education from the University of British Columbia. Upon completion of these degrees she studied Veterinary Medicine at Cambridge University, in Cambridge, England. In 1977 she graduated with a B.A./BVetMed and became a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Her areas of interest are equine and small animal medicine and surgery. Shortly after returning to Vancouver, a back injury resulting from a vehicle accident directed her practice focus to small animal medicine. However, her interests, and commitment to continuing education, continue to embrace both equine and small animal medicine and surgery.
In 1998 Dr. Potter enrolled in, and completed, the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society’s post graduate program in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine.* Familiarity with both conventional and alternative veterinary medical modalities enables Dr. Potter to use an integrated approach to veterinary care, diagnosis and treatment.Happily married and a mother of four Dr. Potter is as busy at home as she is at work! Her home is a minor menagerie of dogs, cats, birds, fish, ponies and horses and her outside interests include a passion for horses, an enjoyment of sailing, kayaking, gardening and an appreciation of art.Her latest endeavour has been the development of a small apiary. Look for her local honey being available at WBVC!
Dr. Sarah Rurak
Dr. Sarah Rurak* is rarely seen without an animal in tow! In this case itis Rolls. Sarah has an Honours degree in Physiology from UBC and graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2008. Sarah is a key member of our team with a keen interest in surgery and internal medicine. She has led the way in expanding our knowledge of small patient medicine and care. Being Dr. Potter’s daughter, Sarah has literally been a part of WBVC since she was born. Sarah, and her husband Ben (a keen birder), share their home with three dogs, six cats & a hamster. Needless to say her life interests revolve around animals and their care. When not playing with, or tending to, her human and animal family, Sarah will most likely be found gardening or watching classic musical films.
Dr. Karen Kutney
Dr. Karen Kutney completed her pre-vet requirements at UBC. She graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1992. During her years at veterinary school she worked as a student staff member at WBVC and, upon graduation, a veterinary position was open and she joined the WBVC Team. She shares her home with her husband, Joe, her young son, Evan, her dog, Fiasca and her cat, Lorenzo. She manages to keep the number of pets in her household under control by fostering newcomers with her mother! Dr. Kutney’s outside interests are numerous and varied. One never knows what her next next night-school course will be… travel destinations, creative writing, dancing or…?
Dr. Imara Beattie
Dr. Imara Beattie has been involved with the clinic for years, starting out as a volunteer and then working as a vet assistant while completing her Honours degree in Animal Biology at UBC. She joined the West Boulevard team as a veterinarian after graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2024. Imara has a love of all small animals, with a special interest in rabbits. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys creative writing, hiking, and starting sewing projects that she never finishes. She lives with her partner Bryan, and is pictured with her rabbit Charlotte, who needed to be bribed with an undue number of treats to pose for this photo.
Erin King
From the land down under, Erin is our all around jack of all trades. She started with us a receptionist in 2013 but this quickly turned into managing everyone during the day in most aspects of the clinic ensuring we all know where we have to be and what we have to do. She usually does this with a sharp sense of humour & will crack the dreaded whip when needed. Erin will be graduating from Thompson Rivers University in December 2024 and taking on a new title as Registered Veterinary Technician.
In Memorium - Farrah Bettenson
Has worked with us for many years and is the mainstay of our part time support staff. Not infrequently she covers for full time staff when they are attending seminars, taking a well earned vacation day or are feeling under the weather. A graduate of the South Granville Veterinary Office Assistant program, she is an asset in both the front and the back of the hospital. If any animal needs a cuddle, Farrah is there to provide.