Veterinary Views: Supporting the community is what neighbours do

By DR. NIGEL SKINNER

When we first set out to open Shoreview Veterinary, about a year and a half ago, we had the rare luxury of time—time to think carefully about the kind of clinic we wanted to build, and time to reflect on what we had learned over more than a decade in our previous practice.

Owning a small business in a neighbourhood like ours means more than offering a service. It means becoming part of the everyday rhythm of a place, and accepting the quiet responsibility that comes with that.

Many of us who live and work in the east end know this feeling well. Community isn’t just a word on a brochure; it’s the collection of familiar faces, local shops, shared spaces, and the subtle understanding that we’re all looking out for one another.

Whether that connection forms through geography, experience, or a sense of belonging, it grows stronger when people participate in it with intention.

For over 15 years, we’ve made our home in the Beach/Bluffs area, a part of Toronto that has always had a strong sense of itself.

It’s a place with its own landmarks and its own heartbeat: the Fox Theatre lighting up Queen Street with its century-old charm; the Beach Metro newspaper landing faithfully on doorsteps; the Leuty Lifeguard Station and the Scarborough Bluffs offering views that never seem to get old. Even the hoodies and bumper stickers declaring “Beach!” say something genuine about the pride people feel living here.

It’s not unusual to meet someone who describes themselves as a lifelong Beacher, or to learn that the teacher at your child’s school once sat in the very same classroom.

In our line of work, trust matters. People come to us during moments of worry, hope, and love—the emotional spectrum that defines life with animals.

But we’ve always believed that being part of this community means contributing in ways that extend beyond the clinic walls. That belief is what led us to create the Shoreview Community Fund.

As the holidays approach, the need around us becomes more visible, and it feels natural to do our part. Through the small events we host—whether an anniversary gathering or a simple photo day with Santa and a beloved pet—we raise funds for local cat and dog rescues and for the Bluffs Food Bank.

None of this feels extraordinary; it simply feels like what neighbours do.

We are fortunate to care for the pets of a community that supports independent businesses with such loyalty and heart.

And as proud as we are of our team and the medicine we practice, we hope they also feel proud of something just as important: the chance to help make this corner of the city a little kinder, a little more connected, and a place we’re grateful to call home.

• Dr. Nigel Skinner is the Founder/Owner of Shoreview Veterinary.