Nova Vet, an Art Deco-inspired veterinary clinic in Calgary, Alta., is the winner of Vet Candy’s 2026 Design & Innovation Award.

The clinic was co-founded by veterinary technologist Shannon Gervais and veterinarian Dan McClair.

Named after Gervais’s dachshund, Nova, the clinic is transforming what a veterinary practice can look, feel, and be like.

The clinic features velvet, jewel-toned furniture and brass lighting, all pet-friendly to help calm patients.

“Technologists are on the floor every single day,” Gervais tells Vet Candy. “We know what works and what doesn’t. We know where the workflow gets jammed up, where stress builds, where small design choices make big differences. This clinic is proof that technologist input isn’t just valuable. It’s essential.”

Gervais and Dr. McClair will accept the award at the Western Veterinary Conference (WVC) in Las Vegas, Nev., February 2026.