Dr. PJ ROCHELEAU, DVM, CCRT

Dr. PJ Rocheleau, DVM, CCRT graduated from 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.

​​

Currently he is an provisional AOVET NA  faculty member and sits on the One AO abstract committee. He also sits on the board of directors of the Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education (AVORE) and is also the clinical research chair. Dr. Rocheleau is also a research and development consultant for Arthrex Veterinary Systems and Movora.

​

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. To date, he has performed thousands of orthopedic and spinal procedures for small animal patients from all over Northern Ontario, Canada and the United States.

​

His current clinical research interests and projects include canine cranial cruciate ligament disease, meniscal pathology and repair, total hip replacement, total knee replacement, total elbow replacement, total ankle and canine shoulder instability.

​

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.

​​

He is owned by Chip, a very charming three-legged bulldog who was presumably hit by a car as a four month old puppy. He was found laying in a ditch with two broken legs during the winter in a remote northern community. Dr. Rocheleau provided all surgical care and shortly after adopted Chip. He is also owned by Ollie, a sweet and affectionate little grey cat from Pet Save.

​

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

​

View Dr. Rocheleau's ORCid profile here.

​

Publications

2026

- Rocheleau PJ, Robson A, Bird SD, Domney L, Holz KA. Technique and short-term outcomes associated with a minimally invasive endoscopically assisted thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy in 40 dogs. BMC Veterinary Research. 2026

- Rocheleau PJ. Chapter 17: Arthroscopy of Partial and Total Joint Replacements. Textbook of Canine and Feline Arthrology and Arthroscopy, 1st ed. Elsevier 2026.

- Rocheleau PJ, Holsworth IG. Chapter 34: Coxofemoral Joint Trauma. Textbook of Canine and Feline Arthrology and Arthroscopy, 1st ed. Elsevier 2026.

2025

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

- 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.

2024

- 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.

2023

- Rocheleau PJ, Holz KA, Peura AH. Ex-vivo evaluation of arthroscopically assisted shoulder stabilization in dogs using an intra-articular aiming device. Veterinary Surgery. 2023;52(4):564–574.

- 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.

2020

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

2019

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

2018

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

​​

​

Lectures Given + Courses Taught 

2026

• VLF Annual Meeting, March 20, 2026, Madrid, Spain. Total knee replacement overview and preliminary data on incidence and uncomplicated primary surgical procedures.

• AVORE Winter Meeting, January 16–17, 2026, San Diego, CA. Invited Speaker. Total Knee Replacement in Dogs: Incidence and Pilot Data on Uncomplicated TKR.

2025

• ACVS Surgery Summit 2025, October 23–25, 2025, Seattle, WA. Abstract Presentation. Preliminary Incidence and Risk Factors Associated with Stifle Hyperlaxity in Dogs in 370 Stifles Presented for Naturally Occurring Cruciate Ligament Disease.

• AO SAP, September 30–October 2, 2025, Glendale, AZ. Course Faculty.

• Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association (VA3), August 1–2, 2025, Naples, FL. Update on Canine Meniscal Suturing.

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

2024

• AVORE Winter Meeting, January 25–27, 2024, San Diego, CA. Invited Speaker. Lectures on arthroscopy of arthroplasties and spinal endosurgery.

• British Veterinary Orthopedic Association (BVOA) Meeting, March 19, 2024, Manchester, UK. Keynote Speaker. Lectures on advanced arthroscopy, stifle hyperlaxity, and surgical treatment of Grade 3 tendinopathies.

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

• Veterinary Arthrology and Traumatology (VA3) Meeting, June 26–29, 2024, Naples, FL. Arthroscopy of Arthroplasties.

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

• 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.

2023

• ACVS Surgery Summit 2023, October 13–15, 2023, Louisville, KY. Abstract Presentation. Arthroscopic Meniscal Suturing in 44 Stifles in 43 Dogs.

2022

• 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 during the arthroscopy sessions.

• Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association (VA3), September 2–3, 2022, Munich, Germany. Arthroscopic Meniscal Suturing in Dogs.

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

• Veterinary Education Today Conference, April 21–23, 2022, Toronto, Ontario. Invited Speaker. Lectures on total joint replacement and advanced techniques in arthroscopic surgery.

2021

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

2020

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

• Hill’s Pet Nutrition, 2017–2020. Regular Lecturer delivering RACE-approved continuing education for general practitioners on various topics in veterinary orthopedics and spinal surgery. Multiple lecture series across Northern Ontario, with 20+ lectures of 1–2 hours in duration.

2019

• AVORE Winter Meeting 2019, January 24–27, 2019, San Diego, CA. Review of Canine Shoulder Instability: Diagnosis and Treatment.

2018

• ACVS Surgery Summit 2018, October 24–27, 2018, Phoenix, AZ. Arthroscopic Placement of a Toggle-Rod to Correct Coxofemoral Luxation.

• World Veterinary Orthopedic Congress (WVOC) 2018, September 12–15, 2018, Barcelona, Spain. Poster Presentation. Arthroscopic Placement of a Toggle-Rod to Correct Coxofemoral Luxation in a Canine.

• Veterinary Arthrology Advancement Association (VA3), August 24–25, 2018, Naples, FL. Arthroscopic Assessment and Treatment of Coxofemoral Trauma in the Canine.

• Association for Veterinary Orthopedic Research and Education (AVORE) Winter Meeting 2018, San Diego, CA. Arthroscopic Placement of a Toggle-Rod to Correct Coxofemoral Luxation.