About us
A different approach to veterinary eye care.
Bridging the gap between specialist and your veterinarian to provide more personal and accessible care.
Our story
A practice built around its patients
Our Inspiration
The meaning behind Helios
Light is the foundation of vision and the essential tool of eye care. We named our practice after Helios, the Titan god of the sun, who drove his chariot across the sky each day to bring light to the world. To the ancients, he was also a deity of sight and truth, whose all-seeing gaze brought clarity to everything below.
The stylized “O” in our logo reflects this in two ways: a sun symbolizing light as a guiding force, and a beam of light passing through the cornea to focus on the retina.
Our mission
Care that starts with your pet
Helios was founded with the goal of making specialty eye care easier to reach when your pet needs it most. Because eyes are our sole focus, every visit gets our full attention, from the first exam to ongoing care. We believe clear communication leads to better decisions, and that pets do best when everyone involved is working together.
What we do
A tailored plan for every patient
At Helios Veterinary Vision, we diagnose and treat a variety eye conditions in dogs, cats, and pocket pets. From red, irritated, or cloudy eyes, to sudden vision loss, we get to the root of the problem, with a thorough eye exam and advanced diagnostics when needed.
Many conditions can be managed with medication, and when surgery is the best option, we can provide a wide range of procedures tailored to your pet’s individual needs.
Looking for expert care for your pet’s eyes?
Discover our specialized veterinary ophthalmology services and how we can help protect your pet’s vision.
Our facilities
A closer look at Helios
Explore the spaces we use to provide high quality, thoughtful veterinary eye care.
Reception Area
Where your visit begins
Helios is located inside Dixie Animal Hospital in Mississauga, where we share a welcoming reception area. From arrival to checkout, our small team keeps every visit as stress-free as possible for you and your pet.
- Convenient location near highway
- Welcoming reception area
- Small, personal team at every visit
Exam room
Care in every detail
Our exam room is set up to provide comprehensive eye examinations and a comfortable experience for both you and your pet. Equipped with a medical-grade air purifier, hydraulic exam table and non-slip mat, the space is designed to keep your pet safe and at ease.
- Comprehensive eye examinations
- Adjustable table for gentle, safe handling
- Comfortable experience
Surgery suite
Precision for delicate procedures
Our surgery suite is set up specifically for eye surgery. Using an operating microscope and specialized microsurgical instruments, Dr. Strong performs procedures ranging from routine to complex with the precision each one requires. Every patient is carefully monitored under anesthesia from start to finish, and most procedures are managed directly by a veterinarian dedicated to anesthesia.
- Operating microscope for ophthalmic surgery
- Microsurgical instruments made for the eye
- Careful anesthetic monitoring and recovery
Treatment area
The tools to see more clearly
Sometimes we need a little more space than the exam room allows. The treatment area at Dixie Animal Hospital gives us space to do things that require extra hands or support, from blood draws to in appointment treatments. On surgery days, this is where patients are gently prepared for anesthesia and closely monitored as they wake up, with a team member by their side until they’re comfortable and ready to head home.
- Care beyond the exam room.
- Support before, during and after surgery
Our team
Meet the people behind the care
Years of training, a lot of patience and plenty of treats on hand.
DVM, MS, DACVO
Travis Strong
Before he ever examined an animal’s eye, Dr. Travis Strong spent years studying how vision works. That path carried him through molecular biology, a year in optometry and physiological optics at Ohio State, an evolutionary biology graduate program at Duke and a master’s in biotechnology at Johns Hopkins. He went on to veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin, where he graduated first in his class.
After completing a three-year ophthalmology residency at Iowa State University, Dr. Strong has spent his career caring for thousands of patients across Toronto and the surrounding areas. He has a special interest in corneal disease and cataract surgery. In his free time, he can be found reading classic literature, hiking, stargazing or spending time with his two children.
Practice manager, RVT
Desirae Gamache
Desirae is a Registered Veterinary Technician with more than ten years in veterinary medicine, spanning general practice, urgent care and ophthalmology. She worked alongside Dr. Strong as his dedicated veterinary technician before taking on the role of Practice Manager at Helios Veterinary Vision. She keeps our day-to-day operations running smoothly and makes sure each patient and family feels looked after.
Desirae wears many hats and is happy to guide you through any part of your pet’s visit. Outside the clinic, she can be found playing beach volleyball, exploring Toronto’s vegan food scene or walking her playful Australian shepherd mix, Sora.
