The founding story

Most clinics aren’t owned by vets. Ours are.

Dr. Steven Davidson seated inside Upper Village Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Steven Davidson has spent 25 years in veterinary medicine. For much of that time, he worked inside large corporate practices. Over the years, he watched the culture of care become more distant from the people who delivered it: faster, more transactional, and less personal.

Eventually, he decided to step out on his own. He founded Upper Village Veterinary Hospital to build the kind of practice he believed veterinary medicine needed: one where the doctor is present, known, and at the centre of every decision.

That decision was also about the future of the profession. As corporate consolidation changed the market, many experienced veterinarians lost a path to ownership. Clinics that once could be passed to a junior vet or shared with a new partner were increasingly priced beyond reach.

Dr. Davidson believed that opportunity mattered. The best veterinary care is built around a relationship, and those relationships are strongest when vets have the ownership and autonomy to lead their practices.

The Village Vet+ grew from that belief. It gives experienced veterinarians a way to own and operate their own clinics, while giving families the consistency of seeing the same hands, visit after visit.

Meet our associate owners.

Dr. Steven Davidson

Founder, The Village Vet+

Associate Owner, Upper Village Veterinary Hospital

Read Dr. Steven's bio

Dr. Steven Davidson embodies our commitment to exceptional pet care. With over two decades of clinical experience, Dr. Davidson has dedicated his career to enhancing the health and well-being of animals, earning the trust and respect of pet owners and the veterinary community.

Dr. Davidson’s journey in veterinary medicine has been both diverse and enriching. He has honed his skills in a 24-hour emergency and referral centre, owned a veterinary clinic, and served as the medical director for a bustling downtown animal hospital. These varied experiences have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of veterinary practices and the ability to handle various medical situations with expertise and compassion.

His areas of professional interest are extensive, encompassing surgery, dentistry, internal medicine, anaesthesia, and pain management. Dr. Davidson is particularly passionate about collaborating with pet owners, believing that a team approach is essential to supporting the health and happiness of the entire family. He takes the time to listen, educate, and involve pet owners in decision-making, ensuring that each pet receives personalized and effective care.

Beyond his professional endeavours, Dr. Davidson is a family man who cherishes spending quality time with his loved ones. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys skiing, canoeing, and neighbourhood walks with his beloved Old English Sheepdogs, Tilly and Sully. These personal experiences enrich his understanding of the profound connections between pets and their families, further informing his compassionate approach to veterinary care.

Dr. Michael Astin

Associate Owner, The Village Vet+ Annex

Read Dr. Michael's bio

Dr. Astin has nearly 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine, including several years as the medical director of another successful veterinary clinic. He is passionate about building lasting relationships with clients and loves hearing the unique stories that make every pet and family special.

Dr. Astin provides comprehensive veterinary care with particular interests in surgery, dentistry, senior pet care, and preventative medicine. He enjoys helping pets stay healthy throughout every stage of life, with a special focus on promoting longevity and maximizing both lifespan and quality of life. His practice includes wellness and preventative care, vaccinations, spays and neuters, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, nutritional counselling, and advanced soft tissue surgery.

As the owner of his own practice, Dr. Astin values having the independence to make decisions based solely on what is best for his patients. He believes the best veterinary care comes from truly knowing each pet, building trusted relationships with their families, and making thoughtful, individualized medical decisions. He is committed to lifelong learning and continually incorporates the latest advances in veterinary medicine to ensure his patients receive exceptional care.

Dr. Astin completed his undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of Guelph before earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the Ontario Veterinary College. Following veterinary school, he completed a rotating internship focused on internal medicine, surgery, and anaesthesia to further develop his clinical and surgical skills before entering general practice.

Outside of the clinic, Dr. Astin enjoys spending time with his wife and their Sheepadoodle, Murphy.

Families who found
their vet.

★★★★★

"Dr. Rachael has been my vet for many years. She has always taken the utmost care in looking after my dog Lady and is extremely diligent in her work. She cares deeply for all of her patients."

★★★★★

“Dr. Astin is the best. My two dogs Ace and Darcy are treated like royalty with extra treats and affection. Dr. Astin is amazing and loving to the pets. I appreciate all they do in caring for our fur babies.”

★★★★★

"Our vet is absolutely wonderful in every way. Her care and expertise are exemplary. The entire staff is amazing — not only to the animals but to the caregivers as well."

★★★★★

“Dr. Astin is knowledgeable and detailed in his diagnoses; he explains everything, and he has impeccable paw-side manner.”

★★★★★

"We joined after our previous vet was bought out by a large corporation — prices went up, service went down. Our first appointment here was like a breath of fresh air. We highly recommend Upper Village."

★★★★★

“Dr. Astin was absolutely wonderful — very knowledgeable, patient, and kind. He took his time to carefully examine my dog and explained everything in detail, including the possible causes, treatment options, and what to expect next.”

Frequently asked questions.

What does vet-owned actually mean?

It means the doctor who treats your pet owns the clinic they practise in. That changes the incentives entirely. When a doctor has a real stake in the outcome, care is delivered differently. Relationships are built to last because the doctor is truly invested in the outcome and is there for the long term.

Why did you start The Village Vet+?

We started The Village Vet+ because we believe veterinary medicine works best when it’s led by the people who practise it. Over the last few decades, corporate groups have been quietly buying up independent clinics across the country. We’re building the alternative and restoring a career path to ownership for vets. A network of vet-owned, neighbourhood-rooted clinics where the relationship between a vet and a family is the priority.

How does the associate ownership model work?

The model is a partnership with experienced veterinarians who want to own their own practice but don’t want to do it alone. A full team supports everything outside of medicine, including site selection, build-out, equipment, marketing, finance, HR, and legal. The associate owner handles medicine and the clinic team. They own and operate their clinic under The Village Vet+ brand with full clinical autonomy. If you’re a vet interested in ownership, visit our Join Us page to learn more.

What is The Village Vet+ group and how many locations do you have?

The Village Vet+ is a growing network of vet-owned clinics across Canada. We currently have locations in Toronto, with plans to expand into major Canadian cities in the coming years.

Are you looking for vets to join the network?

Always. If you’re a veterinarian with a passion for community-rooted care and working in vet-owned facilities, we’d love to talk.

What does a typical Village Vet+ clinic look like?

Every Village Vet+ clinic is brand new, purpose built, and fully equipped with state of the art technology. Each one is designed around how modern veterinary medicine should be practised, with the comfort of both the pet and the owner in mind. No retrofitted spaces, no compromises on equipment.