BCVTA Honours Columbia Valley Veterinary Clinic and RVT Cali Emel with Top Provincial Awards

It is a banner year for animal care in the Kootenays. The British Columbia Veterinary Technologists Association (BCVTA) has officially announced the winners of its prestigious 2026 awards, lifting Columbia Valley Veterinary Clinic into the provincial spotlight with a double victory.

The clinic has been named the 2026 Animal Care Facility of the Year, while its very own Registered Veterinary Technologist, Cali Emel, has been honoured as the 2026 RVT of the Year.

The dual accolades mark a historic milestone for the local clinic, recognizing both the institution's high standards of veterinary medicine and the exceptional individual talent within its walls.

Setting the Standard for Care

The BCVTA’s Animal Care Facility of the Year award is presented annually to a clinic that demonstrates outstanding teamwork, a commitment to continuing education, and an unwavering dedication to patient comfort and welfare.

For the team at Columbia Valley Veterinary Clinic, the award validates years of hard work tailored to serving their community's pets and livestock..

"To see all of our team's hard work pay off in such a massive way is incredibly rewarding," the clinic team shared in a statement. "To be recognized on a provincial level for doing what we love is an absolute honour, and we are beyond proud and excited for what this means for our clinic and our community."

BC's Top Registered Veterinary Technologist

The celebration doubled with the announcement of Cali Emel as the RVT of the Year. Registered Veterinary Technologists are the backbone of veterinary medicine, responsible for anesthesia, nursing care, lab work, and radiography.

Emel’s recognition highlights her exceptional technical skill, deep empathy, and tireless work ethic—qualities her colleagues and patients’ families benefit from daily.

"Cali represents the absolute best of our profession," the clinic noted. "Her dedication makes our facility a better place every single day, and we couldn't be prouder to have BC’s top RVT leading our nursing team."

A Shared Community Victory

While the trophies will sit on the clinic’s shelves, the team emphasizes that these awards belong to the entire Columbia Valley community.

"A huge thank you to the BCVTA for this incredible honour, and an even bigger thank you to our wonderful clients," the clinic statement continued. "You trust us with your furry family members, and these awards belong to our entire community just as much as they do to us."

Local pet owners visiting the clinic can expect to see some new hardware on display, alongside the same award-winning care that put Columbia Valley Veterinary Clinic on top of the province.