Dr. PJ Rocheleau, DVM, CCRT graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 2004 and is the director of Espanola Animal Hospital. His practice is limited to small animal orthopedic and spinal surgery with a particular focus on joint surgery and joint replacement.

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Currently he is an AOVET faculty member and sits on the One AO abstract committee, the board of directors of the Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education (AVORE) where he is also the clinical research chair, and is a founding member of the Veterinary Joint Replacement Society. Dr. Rocheleau is also a research and development consultant for Arthrex Veterinary Systems.

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Dr. Rocheleau has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, textbook chapters and surgical technique guides related to joint surgery and arthroscopy. He has developed several arthroscopic surgical techniques and surgical instruments. Dr. Rocheleau is frequently invited to speak at various international, North American and local conferences and continuing education events for other veterinarians and surgeons. During his career, he has performed thousands of orthopedic and spinal procedures for small animal patients from all over Northern Ontario, Canada and the United States.

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His current clinical research interests and projects include canine cranial cruciate ligament disease, meniscal pathology and repair, total hip replacement and other advanced joint replacements and canine shoulder instability.

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Although there isn't much time left over for hobbies, Dr. Rocheleau is keenly obsessed with fly fishing and is happiest when a conference is taking place near a clear mountain stream. Dr. Rocheleau is also a Red Seal chef and enjoys both growing produce and cooking for friends and family.

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He is owned by Chip, a very charming three-legged bulldog who was hit by a car as a four month old puppy. He was abandoned in a ditch during the winter in a remote northern community. He is also owned by Ollie, a sweet and affectionate little grey cat from Pet Save.

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Publications

Rocheleau PJ. Arthroscopic placement of a toggle rod to correct coxofemoral luxation in a dog. Veterinary Surgery. 2018;47:970–974.  

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Rocheleau PJ, Hulse, DA. MiniPushLock® CCL Anchor Surgical Technique For Toy Breed Dogs and Cats.  Arthrex Vet Systems.  October 2019. 

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Rocheleau PJ, Holz, KA, Peura, AH.  Ex-vivo evaluation of arthroscopically-assisted shoulder stabilization using an intra-articular aiming device.  Proceedings of the 47th Annual Veterinary Orthopedic Society Meeting, Sun Valley, Idaho, February 1-8, 2020.

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Rodrigo, R., Peura, A., Kowaleski, M., Watson, M., Lendhey, M., Rocheleau, P., Hulse, D.  Ex-vivo mechanical properties of a 2.5mm bone anchor for treatment of cranial cruciate ligament rupture in toy breed dogs.  Veterinary Surgery. 2020;49(4):736-740.

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Rocheleau PJ, Dycus DL, Lotsikas PJ. Internet-based survey on diagnosis and treatment recommendations for medial shoulder syndrome and instability in dogs. VCOT Open. 2023

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Rocheleau PJ, Robson A, Bird SD, Pickersgill MM, Holz KA. Short-term outcomes of 43 dogs treated with arthroscopic suturing for meniscal tears associated with cranial cruciate ligament disease. Veterinary Surgery. 2024;53(5)881-892. ​

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Rocheleau PJ, Yanchick AE. Diagnosis and management of femoral head osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in two dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2025.​

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Rocheleau PJ, Bird SD, Robson A, Holz KA. Arthroscopic sampling, diagnosis and treatment of infected total hip replacements in dogs: eight cases. Veterinary Surgery. 2025

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You can view Dr. Rocheleau's Google Scholar profile here.

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Presentations Given & Courses Taught 

- Hills Pet Nutrition – Regular Lecturer, multiple speaking dates 2017 to 2020 on various topics in veterinary orthopedics and spinal surgery. RACE approved CE for general practitioners. Multiple lecture series across Northern Ontario, 20+ lectures of 1-2 hours duration delivered.

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- Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education (AVORE) Winter Meeting 2018, San Diego, Ca. Arthroscopic placement of a toggle-rod to correct coxofemoral luxation.

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- Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association (VA3) August 24-25, 2018, Naples, Fla. Arthroscopic assessment and treatment of coxofemoral trauma in the canine

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- World Veterinary Orthopedic Congress (WVOC) 2018, Sept 12-15, 2018, Barcelona, Spain. Poster Presentation, Arthroscopic Placement of a toggle-rod to correct coxofemoral luxation in a canine.

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- ACVS Surgery Summit 2018, Oct 24-27, 2018, Phoenix, Az. Arthroscopic placement of a toggle-rod to correct coxofemoral luxation.

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- AVORE Winter Meeting 2019, Jan 24-27, 2019, San Diego, Ca. Review of Canine Shoulder Instability Diagnosis and Treatment

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- AVORE Winter Meeting 2020, Jan 16-18, 2020, San Diego, Ca. Ex-vivo Evaluation of Arthroscopically-Assisted Shoulder Stabilization Using an Intra-Articular Aiming Device

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- Veterinary Orthopedic Society (VOS) Conference 2020, Feb 1-8, 2020, Sun Valley, Idaho. Ex-vivo Evaluation of Arthroscopically-Assisted Shoulder Stabilization Using an Intra-Articular Aiming Device

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- Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association (VA3) August 24-25, 2021, Naples, Fla. Arthroscopic Medial Shoulder Stabilization Through a Lateral Approach

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- Veterinary Education Today Conference, April 21-23, 2022, Toronto, ON. Invited Speaker, lectures on total joint replacement, advanced techniques in arthroscopic surgery

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- AVORE Summer Meeting 2022, July 21-23, 2022, Santa Fe, NM. Arthroscopic Meniscal Suturing in dogs including laboratory demonstration and instruction

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- Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association (VA3) September 2-3, 2022, Munich, Germany. Arthroscopic Meniscal Suturing in dogs

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- European Society for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Traumatology (ESVOT) Conference 2022, September 21-24, 2022, Nice, France. Invited Speaker, lecture stream on advanced arthroscopic techniques in the arthroscopy sessions

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- ACVS Surgery Summit 2023, October 13-15, 2023, Louisville, KY. Abstract Presentation Arthroscopic Meniscal Suturing in 44 stifles in 43 dogs

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- AVORE winter meeting 2024, Jan 25-27, 2024, San Diego, CA. Invited speaker, lectures on arthroscopy of arthroplasties, spinal endosurgery

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- Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) Conference. February 29-March 1, 2024, Hamilton Ontario. Invited Speaker, lecture stream on veterinary orthopedics and sports medicine.

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- British Veterinary Orthopedic Association (BVOA) Meeting. March 19, 2024, Manchester, UK. Key Note Speaker, lectures on advanced arthroscopy, stifle hyperlaxity and surgical treatment of grade 3 tendinopathies

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- Veterinary Arthrology and Traumatology VA3 Meeting. June 26-29, 2024, Naples, FL. Arthroscopy of Arthroplasties

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- Movora Basic and Advanced MPL Course. July 25-28, 2024, Boston, MA. Course Instructor.

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- European Society for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Traumatology (ESVOT) Conference 2024, September 26-28, 2024, Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract Presentation: Arthroscopic Debridement of THR Infections in 8 Dogs

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- Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT) Conference. February 28-March 1, 2025, Hamilton Ontario. Invited Speaker, lecture stream on veterinary orthopedics and sports medicine.