Bailey Gladwin says the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph refused to admit her dog Odie when her referring emergency clinic called and asked for him to be put on a ventilator. (Submitted by: Bailey Gladwin)

Veterinarians are at a crisis point, with a dire staffing shortage leading to fatal consequences for people and their pets. 

A serious problem before COVID-19 has been amplified by the pandemic puppy craze, says Jan Robinson, chief executive officer for the College of Veterinarians of Ontario, the body that licenses vets and accredits their clinics. 

In the years leading up to the pandemic,