Longtime harness racing industry participant Dr. Bob Boyce of London, Ont. has announced his imminent retirement from active veterinary care.

"After serving the London and southwestern Ontario area providing equine veterinary care for 48 years, I have decided to call it quits," said Boyce in a letter posted to the Western Ontario Equine Services Facebook page. "Starting out of the trunk of my car, on my own, in 1975 at the old barn at Western Fair Raceway, and progressing to partnerships in the Ilderton Equine Clinic, then the Ilderton Equine Services, and finishing up (albeit at a greatly reduced work load) as an associate at Western Ontario Equine Services.

"I have LOVED my job. It has been extremely enjoyable, interesting, and rewarding. I have been able to cover all the bases during my career and have been exposed to most everything. Lifelong friendships formed along the way have been a highlight."

While practicing as vet in the London area, Boyce has also owned a number of Standardbred racehorses over the years and also served for three terms as the President of the Canadian Standardbred Horse Society. 

"I wish to thank all those I have worked with, partnered with, and associated with over all these years. I must give credit to my wife Joan, who assisted in the practice in the early years and stuck with me through good times and in bad. Most of all, I would like to thank the clientele for supporting me and the business I represented all that time.

"I realize the equine veterinary profession is currently experiencing a tough time attracting a younger generation of veterinarian, but I feel I have done all I can do. The technology has been very difficult for me to keep up with and I am not a full-service veterinarian anymore."

Boyce stated that his health is still good and that he looks forward to "new and different challenges" in the future. He will officially retire on Sept. 15, 2023.