At its heart, ‘Underdog’ is a story about compassion, courage and an unwavering belief in fairness. In this powerful memoir, Dr. Hakam Singh Bhullar retraces his extraordinary journey from rural Punjab to the center of one of Canada’s most significant human rights battles.
His life and work reveal how one veterinarian’s dedication to accessible care evolved into a broader fight for justice and systemic reform. Dr. Bhullar arrived in Canada with a simple mission. He wanted to make veterinary care accessible to families who often had to choose between basic needs and their pets’ well-being. In 1995, he opened Vancouver’s first low cost animal clinic, a groundbreaking model that offered essential services to low income families, homeless pet owners and animal welfare organizations. As the first Indo Canadian veterinarian to establish such a clinic, he became a mentor for internationally trained veterinarians who were struggling to rebuild their careers in a new country.
But his impact drew resistance. ‘Underdog’ takes readers inside the escalating conflict with the British Columbia Veterinary Medical Association, where opaque licensing barriers, repeated inspections and targeted pressures attempted to silence his work. The dispute unfolded into the longest human rights trial in Canadian history, exposing structural and racial biases, misuse of regulatory authority and attempts to suppress affordable veterinary care. One of the most troubling revelations in the book includes footage of a senior official remarking, “Gone are the days when you can go there with a torch and burn the place down. Quicker way.”
The eventual ruling delivered a rare victory: a formal public apology and acknowledgment of the injustices Dr. Bhullar endured. For readers, it becomes clear that ‘Underdog’ is not only a memoir. It is a movement, a reminder that persistence and community support can challenge entrenched systems. “This book is not just about my story. It is about the power of persistence, the importance of community and the belief that justice can prevail, even when the odds are stacked against you,” he writes. The memoir traces his roots to Saron village in Punjab’s Sangrur district, his graduation from Punjab Agricultural University in 1986, his service as a Veterinary Officer, his move to Canada in 1991 and his internship at Iowa State University before becoming fully licensed in British Columbia. It also revisits the founding of Atlas Animal Hospital, the first of many clinics designed to serve people who needed care the most.
‘Underdog’ ultimately captures a legacy defined by empathy and courage. It speaks to immigrants rebuilding their lives, professionals confronting inequality and communities that believe in fairness. Dr. Hakam Singh Bhullar’s story continues to inspire those who champion equity in Canada and beyond.
‘UNDERDOG’ TAKES READERS INSIDE THE ESCALATING CONFLICT WITH THE BRITISH COLUMBIA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, WHERE OPAQUE LICENSING BARRIERS, REPEATED INSPECTIONS AND TARGETED PRESSURES ATTEMPTED TO SILENCE HIS WORK.
