“Marylin was the soul of the clinic”

For the first time since its creation in 1976 by Doctor Pierre Bonin, the clinic will change its name to that of the Principal Marilyn-Forand Veterinary Clinic.

It was during an unveiling ceremony late Friday afternoon that the logo was revealed.

“It’s super beautiful, it’s something to see your name on a poster, it’s special! I took a photo to have with me,” says Ms. Forand, who had known for a while that the clinic would bear her name.

Rename the clinic in his honor

Dr. Dessureault-P. looked for ways to pay tribute to her employee in order to keep her memory alive after her departure.

“I was thinking about his family, they will have to learn to live with his departure when the time comes. I wondered what I could do to keep Marylin alive. I was sitting outside having dinner, and all of a sudden, I looked at the sign and I was like, 'well, there you go,'” she describes.

Steps were taken with the Order of Veterinary Physicians of Quebec as well as with the business registrar so that everything was compliant.

“When we had the prognosis for a few months, I told him. I went to drive her home, she had just had the diagnosis and I told her that I didn't know if it was going to make the little bubble less heavy on her since she had to deal with the news, but I told her that we were going to change the name of the clinic.”

Dr. Dessureault-P. adds that she had “underestimated the effect it would have on her”. The announcement was a big moment for both women.

Ms. Forand has granted the right to use her name. In addition, his dad and his family witnessed and were moved by the event.

“I wanted her parents and her family to know that she was important to everyone. All the customers knew her by her first name. Marylin was the soul of the clinic.”

— Valérie Dessureault-P., veterinarian and owner of the Principal Veterinary Clinic

Ms. Forand was touched by this attention, which she did not see coming.

“I cried, it touched me a lot! She [Dre Dessureault-P.] took something that belonged to him and put my name on it!”

A long-term relationship

“I bought in 2006 and Marylin was the first technician I hired,” explains Dr. Valérie Dessureault-P., veterinarian and owner of the clinic.

For her, Ms. Forand was synonymous with dedication to work.

“She was the most dedicated, both to the customers and to the animals. She is very warm. Just yesterday, a client didn't know she had cancer and when we told her, she started crying. Every customer loved Marylin and Marylin loved every customer.”

— Valérie Dessureault-P., veterinarian and owner of the Principal Veterinary Clinic

Marylin Forand has always loved working at the Principal Veterinary Clinic for “its warm and family feel”.

“It’s a small team, we keep up to date and write to each other often. I was anxious and Valérie always accepted me, she listened to me and gave me advice,” says the woman who started working there even before finishing her studies in 2006.

The atmosphere at work has always been good, according to Ms. Dessureault. “Marylin was sensitive and always had good intentions.”

“Well, she talked too much! She never hung up the phone! I always waited for her when I needed help. I heard him talking on the phone or to customers and I said to myself “we’ll never finish”,” she recounts the anecdote with a laugh!

Ms. Forand is passionate about animals. She always wanted to do her course in animal health.

“I wanted to work with animals. When I thought about it, I saw lots of jobs and I always came back to the one with animals,” she explains.

Ms. Forand has not worked at the clinic since December 2023, when she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“Today I'm doing well, it's a good time, I'm a little more in shape. I’m starting chemo treatments again after the holidays,” she explains.

A move in sight

Dr. Valérie Dessureault-P. has new plans for the coming months and that is a possible move for the clinic. The target date is October 2025.

The new building will be built on rue Léo-Gendreau, in Granby.

“It’s near the new restaurant Wendy’sit’s called the Louka district,” explains Ms. Dessureault.

The new veterinary clinic will be larger in order to have more consultation rooms, because according to Doctor Dessureault-P., there are more veterinarians than rooms available at the clinic on Principale Street.

“We are five veterinarians and we cannot all be full time. By expanding, we will be able to provide more care and more time slots.”

New care will also be offered for animals in the Granby region.

“There will be an osteopathic veterinarian and other related services. People today are interested in alternative therapies, we will be able to offer them and we will be able to welcome more clients instead of redirecting them to Saint-Hyacinthe.”

The clinic, which will now be called Clinique veterinarye Principale Marilyn-Forand, promises to remain close to its clients, even with the changes to come. Marylin's soul will always be present, close to employees and customers.

“We are exactly where I wanted us to be. Close to the people, we are there for the customers and with Marylin that was it! She was the perfect accomplice.”

— Valérie Dessureault-P., veterinarian and owner of the Principal Veterinary Clinic

For her part, Ms. Forand would like to see the name displayed on the building in the coming months.

“I hope to see the clinic with the logo on site. We'll see how my health goes, but it's something that motivates me to stay as long as possible,” she says in conclusion.