Académie vétérinaire Daubigny: Supporting Veterinarians in Their Desire to Offer More Complete Care

Each day veterinarians face new and unique cases requiring specialized post-graduate training in fields such as dentistry, anesthesia, surgery, and more. To address this reality, Groupe vétérinaire Daubigny launched the Académie vétérinaire Daubigny in 2021 – a continuing education program that goes beyond traditional professional development. 

The goal? To enable veterinarians and technicians to develop confidence in current techniques and gain new expertise clinical knowledge to and expand the range of services offered in clinics and improve access to care.

Freshly graduated in 2024 from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the Université de Montréal, Dr. Marianne Couture practices at the Clinique vétérinaire Beauce-Appalaches and recently participated in the program. From the very start of her career, she set herself a clear goal: no two days should ever be the same. “If I had to describe my job in one word, it would be: diverse. There is room for surgery, consultations, and specialized services. Every day is a new adventure,” she says.

In 2025, Dr. Couture decided to enroll in the veterinary dentistry course offered by the Académie vétérinaire Daubigny. She dove into a hands-on program led by specialist Dr. Jérôme D’Astous. Someone she now considers a mentor, Dr. D’Astous not only taught her the technical foundations of veterinary dentistry but remains available to support her with complex or unusual cases.

From Training to Practice: Bringing Dentistry Back to Beauce

Thanks to this training and her mentor’s guidance, Dr. Couture and her team revived veterinary dentistry in Saint-Georges-de-Beauce – a service that had been absent for several years. The results were immediate: a waiting list filled as soon as the service was announced, clients relieved they no longer had to travel to Québec City, and animals regaining comfort and quality of life.

“Offering this service nearby, at an affordable price for our customers, has truly transformed the lives of these animals and their owners.”

Training Rooted in Real-World Practice
What sets the Académie vétérinaire Daubigny apart from the university courses she completed less than two years ago? Their grounding in real-world situations. “We are far from the perfect patient often presented in university textbooks,” explains Dr. Couture. The training sessions are held in person, in small groups, and focus on common yet complex cases: preventive prophylaxis, delicate extractions, and more.

Another advantage she highlights: the teams train together. Veterinarians and technicians share the same learning experience, ensuring that all members of the medical team are aligned in their practices and communicate more effectively day-to-day.

Training to Care Better
Dr. Couture recalls her first weeks in practice: “When you start out, you put a lot of pressure on yourself. But the key is to trust yourself – it changes how you communicate with clients and strengthens their trust in you.” Today, thanks to the Académie, she approaches dental cases with confidence and knows she can offer high-quality care tailored to the needs and means of her clients.

For Dr. Marianne Couture, this experience is far more than just a course: it’s proof that even early in a career, you can broaden your horizons and make a tangible difference in the lives of animals and their owners.