WCVM graduate honours beloved dog with new student award

“I got Jax during a very difficult time in my life,” says de Bruin, who graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 2022. “We bonded so quickly and became pretty much inseparable over the eight years we spent together.

“The love and devotion of a special pet — being their ‘person’ — is, in my experience, the deepest kind of love there is, and it’s hard to think of anything more meaningful or important.”

Tragically, 12-year-old Jax passed away after a horrific attack at a Saskatoon-area dog park in 2021. The loss of her beloved Jax inspired de Bruin to give back to students at the WCVM.

“Jax was a huge part of my vet school journey, so it seemed fitting to establish an award at the WCVM in his memory,” says de Bruin, who is now a mixed animal practitioner based on Vancouver Island. “I would not be where I am today if not for Jax.”

The WCVM’s new “Jax Award for Excellence in Critical Care” provides financial assistance to one fourth-year veterinary student who demonstrates an aptitude for emergency medicine and critical care.

“So many people supported me when I was a student, including people I’ve never met via awards like this one … and that meant so much to me,” says de Bruin. “Because of that, it’s always been a goal of mine to give back to students once I was in a position to do so, and I’m very thankful to be starting that journey now.”

The inaugural award, valued at $1,500, was given last spring to Dr. Aparna Chatterjee (DVM), a 2025 WCVM graduate. Chatterjee “felt truly honoured, grateful and surprised” when she received the scholarship.

“It was incredibly validating to have my hard work and dedication recognized,” says Chatterjee. “Learning that I had received an award connected to such a powerful and personal story made the recognition even more meaningful. Knowing the circumstances behind the award gave it a weight beyond academic or clinical achievement.”

Chatterjee now works as a clinical intern at Canada West Veterinary Specialists and Critical Care Hospital in Vancouver, B.C., and once she completes her one-year internship, she will continue working in the hospital’s emergency and critical care service.

Originally from the Lower Mainland in B.C., Chatterjee completed a Bachelor of Science degree (biological sciences major) at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

“I was drawn to veterinary medicine because it offers a unique combination of science, problem-solving and compassion,” says Chatterjee. “I wanted a career where the work is meaningful and impactful, and at the end of the day, the reason we do what we do is to help the animals and the people who love them navigate really scary times of their lives.”

Pursuing her veterinary education at the WCVM allowed Chatterjee to follow her passion while remaining close to her support system at home in B.C.

“My experience at WCVM was incredible. Without question it was some of the best years of my life.”

She emphasizes the importance of supportive friendships and classmates during her education. As well, she appreciates the professors’ dedication to seeing their students succeed and grow both clinically and professionally.

“Their passion for education and mentorship created an environment where learning felt encouraging,” says Chatterjee.

The Jax Award for Excellence in Critical Care supports fourth-year students because de Bruin knows firsthand the challenges facing new veterinary graduates who experience a steep learning curve as they transition from students to practising veterinarians.

“I wanted to give someone some encouragement to continue pursuing what they are passionate about in the field of veterinary medicine,” says de Bruin.

She adds that there’s a need for more veterinarians with additional emergency and critical care training. She also chose to support those interested in this clinical area because of what happened to Jax.

“Seeing everyone [in the emergency room] come together to do their absolute best to stabilize him, provide pain relief and fight for his life was truly incredible and meant so much to me,” says de Bruin.

Chatterjee is drawn to emergency and critical care because of the acuity, complexity and the fast pace of the cases. She also enjoys how this discipline incorporates many areas of veterinary medicine — including internal medicine, surgery, neurology, anesthesia and cardiology.

“It gives me the opportunity to collaborate with specialists and dive into the literature to better understand unusual or complicated cases,” says Chatterjee.

Both Chatterjee and de Bruin, who has also worked in emergency and critical care, emphasize the importance of supporting pet owners on one of the worst days of their lives.

For Chatterjee, the award “is a powerful reminder of the responsibility we carry as veterinarians,” representing their compassion, resilience and respect for the human-animal bond.

“It is recognition of the perseverance, long hours and emotional investment that is required to care for critically ill patients day in and day out.”

Over time, de Bruin hopes this award honouring Jax’s life will have an impact on as many veterinarians as possible.

“My hope is that the award will outlast my lifetime, and that every student who wins the award will carry with them a small piece of Jax’s spirit in their practice, as I do and forever will.”