Dr. Emily Lai joined the team at Abbotsford Animal Hospital after graduating from the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program at the Ontario Veterinary College in Guelph in 2023. Prior to this, she acquired her Bachelor of Science Honours in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences in 2018. 

Emily’s love of animals started at a young age, but she did not realize she wanted to become a veterinarian until she was in high school. Initially, she wanted to be a teacher (to teach about animals), then a writer (to write children’s books about animals), and then an artist (to draw animals) before she discovered her true calling. Subsequently, Emily spent several years working in small animal veterinary clinics, volunteering her time at sanctuaries for farm animals, and dog, cat, and exotic animal rescues. After spending many years in Guelph, she is very excited to return to her hometown and contribute to the community as a veterinarian. 

Her special interests in veterinary medicine include preventative care, nutrition, cardiology, and avians and exotics. Growing up, she had a wide variety of pets, including birds, turtles, fish, and rabbits. This contributed to her love of avians and exotic companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets etc.), and she hopes that you will bring your exotic pets for her to see! 

Read Dr.Lai's blog on Exotic Pets and how she cares for them >

Emily’s personal zoo includes a very handsome orange and white domestic shorthair named Mau Mau, Bambi and Lulu the bunnies, and her two budgies, Milky and Lemon. When Emily is not at work or cuddling with her fluffy pets, she enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking. Although she is not particularly talented with winter sports, she also enjoys snowboarding, skiing, and ice skating.