BEYOND the BANDAGE - Ontario Veterinary College
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ONTARIO VETERINARY COLLEGE SUMMER 2020
No.28
The research, teaching and health care magazine of the ONTARIO VETERINARY COLLEGE
BEYOND the BANDAGE
A transformational new program at
the University of Guelph’s Ontario
Veterinary College, the Kim and
Stu Lang Community Healthcare
Partnership Program, will improve
the health of animals through more
accessible care.
SUMMER 2020
NO.28
about the From the Dean
16
crest
The Crest is the research,
L
teaching and health care
magazine of the University ast fall we shared news
of Guelph’s Ontario
Veterinary College. of a truly transfor-
mative gift to OVC
supporting a new
crest program that will shape the
magazine future of veterinary education in
The Crest is published Canada and ultimately improve the lives of animals through more
Photo credit: Karen Mantel
two times per year by OVC
accessible health care.
for alumni, friends and
partners of the college The gift will create the Kim and Stu Lang Community Health-
to share our collective care Partnership Program (CHPP), the first academic program of
strengths in evidence- its kind in Canada.
18
based discovery, veterinary This program will impact our training of the next generation
expertise and educating of veterinary leaders, expand opportunities for student experien-
the next generation of
tial learning in community medicine, enhance our community OVC APPOINTS EXECUTIVE
leaders in animal, human
partnerships, promote a One Health approach to the provision
and environmental health.
of health services for vulnerable animals and those who care for DIRECTOR, STRATEGY AND
EDITORS: them, increase our research capacity to inform best practices and PLANNING
Contributing to caring and community , a vital part of
the student journey. Jane Dawkins policy and ultimately influence societal change.
The Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
Karen Mantel We’ve had an abundance of positive news over the past year,
has appointed Ilya Bogorad to the new
8
in research, teaching and community service, including a new
GRAPHIC DESIGNER: position of Executive Director, Strategy
Animal Health Partners Research Chair in Veterinary Medical
Jane Dawkins and Planning. He joined OVC on August
Innovation, filled by veterinary oncology surgeon Dr. Michelle
12, 2019.
WRITERS: Oblak, which recognizes our collective strengths in comparative,
In the Executive Director role, Bogo-
BEYOND the BANDAGE
Karli Longthorne, Karen translational and clinical medicine. rad works closely with all units at the
Mantel, Lisa McLean, I’m extremely proud of OVC’s rich contributions to improve University of Guelph’s OVC, including the
Sydney Pearce the health of animals, people and the world we live in. I look four academic departments, the Office
forward to sharing stories about the impact that these programs of the Dean and the Health Sciences
PUBLISHER:
Ontario Veterinary College
have, as well as the continuing innovative work our faculty, staff Centre to ensure strong decision sup-
A transformational new program at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, the Kim and and students continue to pursue each day.
Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program, will improve the health of animals through more University of Guelph port, optimal resource utilization, project
accessible care and help shape the future of veterinary education in Canada. management and short- and long-term
ADVISORY TEAM: Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel, BVSc, PhD, Dip. ACT planning, ensuring sustainability and
Julie Byczynski, Jane Professor and Dean, Ontario Veterinary College achieving the goals and vision of the
Dawkins, Cynthia Fobert, college.
Carol Ann Higgins,
3 From the Dean 10 Shayan Sharif Elizabeth Lowenger, OVC RANKS FIRST IN CANADA, “The Executive Director will be
an integral position on the Ontario
3 OVC Appoints New
Focus on research and training
In conversation with OVC alumna Michelle Lem, who
Karen Mantel, Joanna
Panayiotopoulos, Kim TOP FIVE WORLDWIDE Veterinary College’s leadership team,
promoting the sustainability and growth
shares her path into community veterinary outreach. Robinson, Amy Tremaine,
12TheFuture of Cancer of the college and its programs,” says
Executive Director, Strategy a Jeff Wichtel
The Ontario Veterinary College OVC dean Jeffrey Wichtel. “Ilya’s senior
and Planning Ilya Bogorad joins OVC’s Therapy Novel approaches to research contact us is once again celebrating a top administrative experience in a number
ten ranking among veterinary
hold promise
22 Innovation+ Collaboration
senior leadership team If you have comments, of prestigious health sciences organiza-
suggestions for future schools in the world through tions will serve him well at OVC.”
14 In Conversation with ...
Accelerating Discovery articles or if you would like the Quacquarelli Symonds In addition to an MBA (Finance) from
4 Open AccessMeans Better to reproduce articles or (QS) university rankings. The the Rotman School of Management,
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts
Antimocrobial Stewardship Michelle Lem information from The Crest
Magazine.
QS World University Rankings Bogorad brings leadership experience
New tools will help both doctors and by Subject 2020 ranked OVC focused on strategic planning, resource
24 Education, Experiential optimization, financial management and
veterinarians better understand antibiotic
16 Beyond the Bandage first in Canada, third in North
prescribing patterns
Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Learning and address America and fifth worldwide. health services administration.
OVC Communications, OVC has consistently placed “It is an absolute honour to be
5 Of Note
Partnership Program Entrepreneurship Dean’s Office in the top 10 since QS first joining the OVC, one of the top veterinary
News from OVC Ontario Veterinary included veterinary science in schools in the world, to help shape and
18 Community Outreach College realize its strategic goals,” says Ilya.
26 OVC Class Notes University Of Guelph their rankings in 2015. The QS
7 From the Vault Contributing to caring and community, a vital ranking methodology focuses His most recent appointments have
50 Stone Road
Photo credit: Kathryn Arbor, OVC 2022
part of the student journey on key areas of academic rep- included the positions of Executive
Access to veterinary care in the 19th century Guelph, ON
27 OVCAA 2019 Award N1G 2W1 utation, research impact and Director of IntegraMed Fertility, Manag-
ing Director of Mount Sinai Fertility and
8 It Takes a Village 21 Let’s Talk About Sexual Winners
T. 519-824-4120 X 52746
OVCINFO@UOGUELPH.CA
the desirability of graduates
Director of Corporate Planning at the
The immeasurable role of community in by employers. The most com-
Health MPH grad helps break down The important role of research and
WWW.OVC.UOGUELPH.CA prehensive global overview by
Sinai Health System. He also served in
student learning
barriers for priority populations Back Cover Veterinary History veterinary medicine in surveillance.
discipline of higher education,
a leadership role at the London Health
University of Guelph Sciences Centre, one of Canada’s larg-
Charitable Registration #: QS looked at some 1,300 uni-
est teaching hospitals.
10816 1829 RR 0001 versities in 83 locations.
The Crest l 3
OF NOTE
The University of Guelph’s Ontario Veter- peers (such as other doctors in the practice)
inary College (OVC) is leading the charge and where they rank. Feedback reports also
globally in antibiotic stewardship as the include information on clinical best practice
central hub for the veterinary component of guidelines, including appropriate dosages
a new antibiotic stewardship platform. and context-specific guidelines.
The website, Open Stewardship[www. Overall, the report will give users an indi-
openasp.org], will serve as an access point cation of where they fall on the prescribing
for veterinarians and primary care doctors to spectrum so that they can make appropriate
better understand their prescribing patterns. changes if necessary, and give research-
Photo credit: istock.com
Open Stewardship is currently in use by ers an idea of whether there are regional
pilot groups of community-based doctors in and country-specific patterns influencing
Canada and Israel. Pilot groups of veterinar- prescribing.
ians in both countries will begin using the “Antibiotics are used in both animals
platform in winter 2020. (Interested veteri- and people and so all medical professionals
narians can learn more at www.mathepilab. should be reflecting on their prescribing
org/open). habits as a way to help to reduce global anti- OVC EXPERTS CONTRIBUTING TO COVID-19 FIGHT
This information will shed light on local biotic resistance,” says Greer. “This research
Ontario Veterinary College experts are sharing their modelling to forecast the near-term course of the
antibiotic use patterns and such knowledge uses a One Health approach because we expertise in the media and through new research during epidemic and will build simulations to help guide
will be helpful in trying to reduce antibi- understand that humans, animals and the the COVID-19 pandemic. Canadian health agencies in efforts to limit the spread
otic resistance. It will promote appropriate environment all play a role in the occurrence Zoonotic disease expert, Prof. Scott Weese, director of the virus.
antibiotic prescribing among medical prac- of antibiotic resistance. It’s important to of the U of G’s Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, Greer also is working with epidemiology colleagues
titioners by using individual feedback and improve prescribing across all sectors and has spoken to national and international media outlets from the University of Toronto’s school of public health
benchmarking of their prescribing practices. to support one another.” discussing how disease can spread between animals on an online dashboard called COVID-19 in Canada that
This process in which feedback drives Interested medical practices (both and people and how to care for household pets during illustrates the spread of COVID-19 across the country.
change has been successful in previous human and veterinary) will be able to use the the pandemic. Prof. Amy Greer, Canada Research Chair Greer’s team of graduate students are helping to gather
human initiatives and Prof. Amy Greer and online platform once the study intervention in Population Disease Modelling, has also spoken to data from across the country for the dashboard.
media about global COVID-19 outbreaks and efforts to In another study, Weese is working with Pathobiol-
Photo credit: Karen Whylie
postdoctoral fellow Dr. Kamal Acharya from trials are complete and the website platform
OVC’s Department of Population Medicine, becomes public, likely in 2021. Although the control the spread of the coronavirus. Greer is using ogy colleague Prof. Dorothee Bienzle to examine what
are hoping that it will be successful in the platform will be public, medical practices disease transmission models to help the federal gov- risk COVID-19 in humans poses to their pets and why
veterinary world as well. Greer is a key will remain anonymous while using the ernment assess potential spread of COVID-19. In other some animals become infected while others do not. The
member of this international initiative along website tool and still receive individual media, including CBC radio and television, Prof. Shayan study includes cats, dogs or ferrets in which at least
with collaborators with the University of feedback. Everyone will be able to view Sharif, an immunologist and Associate Dean Research one household member has symptoms consistent with
and Graduate Studies, discussed a research paper he COVID-19 or has had a positive test result.
Toronto, Public Health Agency of Sweden geographic patterns.
co-authored with a team of U of G computer scientists Pathobiology professors Sarah Wootton, Byram
and Ben-Gurion University in Israel. “We don’t want to improve antimicrobial
and veterinary researchers on the use of Twitter to Bridle and Leonardo Susta are utilizing their expertise NEW DIRECTOR OF
“Antibiotic resistance is a rising global stewardship top-down,” says Greer. “There is
concern for public health,” says Greer. “The so much value in local context and this new
detect and predict the spread of infectious disease in virology and immunology on a highly collaborative OVC WELL-BEING
ultimate goal for this tool is to empower website allows tailored feedback based on
outbreaks. In a co-authored column in the Toronto
Star, U of G Prof. Glen Pyle, Department of Biomedical
project to develop two different viral vectored vaccine
platforms against COVID-19. Once they optimize a
PROGRAMMING
medical professionals from any coun- region and/or practice group. There’s been a Sciences, explained why those with existing conditions prime-boost vaccination strategy that induces robust The Ontario Veterinary Col-
try, looking at any species, to understand lot of supporting research saying that direct like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension are at mucosal immunity, these vaccines will be evaluated at lege welcomed Prof. Andria
feedback helps higher risk of serious illness and death from COVID-19 the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg. Jones-Bitton, OVC DVM 2000,
facilitate change infection. Pyle is also a provincial lead for COVID-19 Prof. Andrew Papadopoulos, coordinator of OVC’s to the position of OVC Director
– we hope that Resources Canada, a hub to resources and expertise. Master of Public Health Program, is working with public of Well-Being Programming in
by making Open Weese and Greer are also contributing to research health academic colleagues to provide guidance to February 2020. As a member of
Stewardship open projects aimed at addressing the coronavirus outbreak. public health authorities across Canada. He is also pro- the Associate Dean, Students and
Weese is part of a research project that will investigate viding expertise to the National Collaborating Centres Academic team, Jones-Bitton
access, medical
the global management of COVID-19 using the “One for Public Health to identify gaps in system knowledge will serve a leadership role in the
practices will elect
Health” approach in which human and animal health and help public health agencies with operational and mapping, planning and delivery
to use it to deliver
experts collaborate to manage infectious disease. In policy support in response to the pandemic. of well-being and resilience
stewardship inter- training to undergraduate DVM
ventions to their another project, Greer will use math and statistical
students, sharing resources in a
members in order to improve appropriate collaborative manner with those
prescribing.”
Collaborators on this international initia-
OVC HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE CHIEF MEDICAL supporting graduate students
across all departments of the
tive include Drs. Derek MacFadden and David OFFICER ANNOUNCED OVC and supporting the advance-
Fisman from the University of Toronto, Drs. ment of research in well-being
Luis Gaitero, DVM, Diplomate ECVN, was recently named to the new position of
Sonja Lofmark and Annette Huth from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in the Ontario Veterinary College’s Health Sciences and resilience. Jones-Bitton
Public Health Agency of Sweden, and Drs. Centre. The CMO will develop, coordinate and oversee clinical service delivery in has a strong research platform
and improve their prescribing practices Nadav Davidovitch and Moriah Ellen from the OVC HSC working in collaboration with Stephanie Nykamp, Associate Dean, focused on the mental health of
by providing them with tailored, regional Ben-Gurion University in Israel. Clinical Program, the HSC administrative team and medical staff leaders. Gaitero veterinarians, veterinary students
feedback.” Funding for this research is provided by joined the HSC Neurology Service in 2008. His specialities include neurosurgery, and farmers in Canada. She was
Here’s how the pilot study will work. the Joint Programming Initiative in Antimi- spinal cord trauma and neuroimaging. “The medical operations of a high-func- recently invited as a key witness
Photo credit: Dean Palmer
After inputting their prescription records for crobial Resistance, The Canadian Institutes tioning veterinary referral hospital such as OVC are complex and dynamic,” says in Canada’s House of Common’s
Standing Committee on Agri-
three months, participants receive a report for Health Research, The Swedish Research Gaitero.” In an ever-changing world, it is more important than ever to have the flex-
Graphic: istock.com
ibility to recognize opportunities for improvement, identify needs and continuously culture and Agri-food’s study of
on their antibiotic prescription writing – spe- Council and the Israel Ministry of Health.
deliver the specialized, compassionate care that is the foundation of our unparal- farmer mental health.
cifically, how their activity compares to their
leled reputation here at OVC.”
4 l The Crest The Crest l 5
FROM THE VAULT
Photo credit: Provided by Derek Haley
U OF G TEAMS
ACCESS TO VETERINARY CARE
Photo credit: Cesar Peregrine-Laure
PLACE FIRST
AT ANIMAL
WELFARE
ASSESSMENT
IN THE 19TH CENTURY
CONTEST By the beginning of the 19th century, a vast
veterinary “medical marketplace” existed for
University of Guelph graduate and student veterinarian teams came out on top at the 19th American Veterinary Medical
consumers to access a variety of veterinary
Association (AVMA) Animal Welfare Assessment Contest at Colorado State University. The OVC student veterinarian team
OVC PROFESSOR and graduate student team with students from both OVC and the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) both placed first in
pharmaceuticals, advice and care in what
CHAMPION FOR their respective divisions. The U of G undergraduate team finished fourth overall out of 22 teams. Teams prepared for the
would become Canada. This veterinary medical
marketplace was overwhelmingly populated by
PRIDE VMC competition under the guidance of Profs. Ian Duncan, Professor Emeritus, OAC Department of Animal Biosciences; Derek
untrained practitioners, some highly skilled, but
Haley, OVC Department of Population Medicine; and Tina Widowski, OAC Department of Animal Biosciences and former
A champion for the Pride VMC many not. As a result, a tangled mix of good and
Director of the U of G’s Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare. Through the training and competition students
(Veterinary Medical Community) less than ideal veterinary advice and treatment
gain in-depth and practical knowledge about how to scientifically assess animal welfare and communicate these find-
club at the Ontario Veterinary for consumers existed in this period, a situation
ings. The contest employs comparative scenarios where students analyze the welfare of the various animals presented.
College (OVC) was celebrated that professionalized veterinary medicine sought
in 2019. Prof. Andrew Peregrine, to remedy by the latter half of the 19th century.
OVC’s Department of Patho- The Barker Veterinary Museum at the Ontario
biology, shared his personal HILL’S SCHOLAR PROGRAM Veterinary College contains a variety of holdings
reflecting this marketplace and the ways the
story with AgRespect, a website
sharing stories and experiences
OFFERS HANDS-ON LEARNING general public began to access professional
from the rural LGBTQ+ commu- TO STUDENT VETERINARIANS veterinary medicine starting in the last half of
nity. Peregrine helped set up the the 19th century.
Experiential learning is a critical component in the student The Veterinary Adviser was first published
LGBTQ+ group for students at veterinarians’ journey and key to building student confi-
OVC and has been the faculty in 1876 in the United States by James Law, a
dence and competence. Every Ontario Veterinary College contemporary of Andrew Smith, founder of the
advisor for the club since its student veterinarian spends time at the Hill’s Pet Nutrition
inception. “The Pride VMC club Ontario Veterinary College. A specific Cana-
Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), on the OVC campus, each dian edition was first published in 1877. Law, a
is vitally important because its year throughout their studies, culminating with a three-
members support and encourage Scottish trained veterinarian, is a towering figure
week small animal primary care rotation in their fourth in the history of American veterinary medicine.
each other,” says Peregrine. “The
and final year. This immersive experience allows students An 1857 graduate of the Edinburgh Veterinary
club is especially supportive for
in their final year of training to experience all aspects of College, he was the first professionally-trained
those struggling with coming
Photo credit: C.A.V. Barker Collection, Archival Collections, University of Guelph Library
companion animal primary care practice. In the 2019-2020 veterinarian to teach in the United States at
out”. Recently, members have
academic year, OVC joined hands with Hill’s Pet Nutrition to Cornell University beginning in 1868. He went
worked to open the club to the
provide this experiential learning opportunity to Canadian
Photo credit: Karen Mantel
broader University of Guelph on to educate many early American veterinary
veterinary students outside OVC’s Doctor of Veterinary Med- professionals.
community; the group invites the
entire LGBTQ+ community on the icine program and in the final year of their DVM program. Law wrote this work because, in his words, it
U of G campus to take part in the Two Hill’s Scholars participated in the 2019-2020 program. was “…especially designed to supply the need of
biggest event on the club’s cal- Applications were recently received for the 2020-2021 the busy Canadian farmer who can rarely avail
endar, the Toronto Pride Parade. academic year. himself of the advice of a scientific veterinarian.”
Books like Law’s were an important point of
access to professional veterinary advice. These
manuals were designed to provide farmers and
others with knowledge about common issues,
as well as instruction in basic veterinary care
largely for horses and other livestock, though
Photo credit: Austin Gibson Photography
OVC PROFESSOR
Photo credit: istock.com
some manuals also included information about
RECEIVES dogs. This included various diseases such as
tuberculosis, pleuro-pneumonia, influenza,
RESEARCH and glanders, a contagious zoonotic infectious
EXCELLENCE disease that occurs primarily in horses, mules,
AWARD and donkeys, as well as other common disorders
OPIOIDS CAN POISON PETS AS such as colic. Several manuals also provided
advice on dressing teeth, hoof care, and other
WELL AS PEOPLE preventative health measures. ians. Law expressed this at the beginning of his work, noting “…apart from the larger cities,
Veterinary manuals were abundant in the the great pecuniary interest in livestock is largely at the mercy of ignorant pretenders
Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) professor Amy Greer is one of five University of Guelph In the first study to connect human opioid use with dogs, whose barbarous surgery is only equalled by their reckless and destructive drugging.” He
researchers who recently received 2019 Research Excellence Awards from the university. Greer, Ontario Veterinary College researchers have shown that nineteenth century. They were authored and
co-authored by a variety of individuals with and also notes that for the farmer, his volume “…will enable him to dispense with the unprofit-
a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair and professor in OVC’s Department of Population Medicine, smaller, younger canines that are non-neutered or live in able and perilous services of such pretenders, and to apply rational means of cure when he
explores the introduction, spread, dynamics and control of infectious diseases in humans and American counties with high opioid prescription rates are at without veterinary experience. As professional
veterinary medicine was established and grew happens to be beyond the reach of the accomplished veterinarian…”
animals. Her research aims to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of both public higher risk of accidental opioid poisonings. The study, with Law was not alone in his quest to share professional veterinary advice with the wider
health and veterinary health interventions in order to make informed decisions regarding public PhD candidate and lead author Mohammad Howard-Azzeh, throughout Canada and the U.S. in this period,
veterinarians like Law were alarmed at the public. Andrew Smith endorsed The Veterinary Adviser, saying “This Book will prove of
health policy.The Research Excellence Awards program highlights the achievements of recently analyzed calls to a U.S. poison control hotline for pets as immense benefit to the Farmers and Stock Owners on this continent, and, at the same
tenured faculty members and helps to raise their profile among external funding agencies. The potential misinformation being provided to the
part of a larger NSERC funded pet poisoning surveillance time, it will be of great service to the Veterinary Practitioner.”
awards are sponsored by the U of G’s Office of Research and the Office of the Provost. public, especially as rural farmers and livestock
project in Prof. David Pearl’s laboratory.
owners often had infrequent access to veterinar-
6 l The Crest The Crest l 7
It takes a village to raise a child; the same many students had already left Guelph for the
can be said about educating the next generation of holidays.
veterinary practitioners. He asked Smith to take the reins coordinating
Lectures, labs and hands-on experience are a the available students.
vital part of training for student veterinarians. Oppor- “She said, yes, 100 per cent. I let her run with it
tunities to work one-on-one with clients and their and had full confidence in her abilities,” adds Rau.
animals are also a critical piece. Smith set up schedules for the nine students
For student veterinarians focusing on food ani- who helped out, chatted with feed suppliers and vid-
mal medicine at the University of Guelph’s Ontario eotaped the farm to orient new students, including
Veterinary College (OVC), on-farm calls not only an introduction to Bill’s wife, Leslie, and Moe the dog.
provide experience with animals, but also an under- She also connected with the eventual buyer of the
standing of the important relationships between sheep and helped him move the animals.
farmers and their veterinarians. “Jeff and the students came to my rescue
“It’s a privilege for us to go out on farms, work because I really had no knowledge how to look after
with the animals, interact with clients and learn the sheep. It was the students who put that roster
from all their experiences,” says Dr. Jeff Rau, with together and came to the farm,” says Leslie. “I’m
OVC’s Ruminant Field Service. “Not everyone is talking about Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, they
aware of how invested our clients are in our stu- were right with me until the second week of January
dents’ education. All our clients fill that profile; they looking after the sheep. There wasn’t a shift missed.”
love sharing their passion in farming.” Mactaggart’s first career was as a high school
Guelph-area farmer Bill Mactaggart, who raised teacher, before eventually going into the investment
champion purebred Suffolk sheep, was a prime business. But his passion lay in farming and particu-
example of that investment and pride in the student larly in raising sheep.
journey. A graduate of the University of Guelph, with A U of G graduate, he was passionate about
a Master of Science in Physics, and longtime client improving the health and genetics of his show flock.
of the OVC Ruminant Field Service for close to 30 This formed a lot of his relationship with the univer-
years, Bill passed away in December 2018. sity because of the work they were doing in animal
“To be a good large animal or mixed animal vet- husbandry and sheep health, says Leslie.
erinarian, you need to understand farming and how “Bill was always very encouraging of people
to communicate with farmers,” adds Rau. “Bill was a who wanted to get involved with sheep because it
great teacher and always took time to make sure the was his passion. Sharing his knowledge was really
students learned something about sheep breeding important to him,” she adds.
Guelph-area farmer
and farming.” He also was interested in investing in commu- and University of
The community’s role in experiential learning nity. When the family discussed ways to honor his Guelph alumni Bill
is immeasurable and students are grateful for the legacy, a scholarship in his name seemed the natural Mactaggart was a
longtime client of
opportunity. choice. the OVC Ruminant
“It is an unbelievably useful first taste of real “His relationship with the university and with Field Service.
life as a veterinarian,” says Kristyne Smith, an OVC was such an important part of his life and the Passionate about
raising purebred
OVC 2019 graduate, who now practices veterinary fact that the people at the university recognize that
sheep, he was also
medicine at Linwood Veterinary Services. “Students is very heartwarming for the family,” adds Leslie. invested in sharing
in fourth year are extremely grateful to all farmers The first Bill Mactaggart Memorial Scholarship his knowledge with
allowing us to learn hands-on and to practice our in Small Ruminant Health Management will be student veterinari-
ans on their educa-
skills. On the Mactaggart farm we had a chance to awarded in 2020. tional journey.
diagnose pregnancies and to learn how to recognize Adds Rau: “Bill was one of those special
common conditions.” individuals who clearly touched a lot of people in a
The Mactaggart farm was one of the first significant way. A big piece of that was veterinary
where the Ruminant Field Service started teaching students and the teaching program.”
“
reproductive ultrasound on sheep. “Reproductive
ultrasound isn’t just about technical skills, you have
to learn how to handle sheep, where to position
yourself in the pen and how to move groups of
It takes a village
sheep,” says Rau. “I knew students were going to Bill was always very
learn that working with Bill. It was a great teaching encouraging of people who
environment.”
When Mactaggart was injured in a car accident wanted to get involved
the week before Christmas 2018, his wife Leslie with sheep because it
reached out to Rau for assistance.
THE IMMEASURABLE ROLE OF COMMUNITY IN STUDENT LEARNING Rau sent an email to the OVC student Food was his passion. Sharing
Animal Club and received many replies, the first his knowledge was really
Photo credit: Rebecca Chant
being Kristyne, a fourth-year student veterinarian at
the time. important to him.”
While he received many empathetic responses,
8 l The Crest The Crest l 9
It all started with one question cine – as well as centres in animal Most recently the college
and insatiable curiosity. welfare, cardiovascular investiga- received funding for CRC Tier 2
The question was about immu- tions, public health and zoonoses, chairs in One Health and in disease
nology, in particular the study of comparative cancer investigation genomics and bioinformatics.
the chicken’s immune system, and and equine studies. “I look at these as major research
it kick-started a love of research “Our multidisciplinary research gains for OVC,” says Sharif.
for the then third-year Doctor of tackles One Health problems Going forward, Sharif plans
Veterinary Medicine student Shayan impacting people, animals and the to consult with faculty, staff and
Sharif. environment around the globe,” students “to get a better sense of
“That actually attracted me notes Sharif. our strengths, needs, opportunities
to three things: my discipline of
immunology; the chicken as a
species; and the question as to why
some chickens are highly resistant
and others not resistant to Marek’s
Disease, a disease caused by a
herpesvirus that can cause lym-
phoma in chickens,” says Sharif,
who was named Associate Dean,
Research and Graduate Studies at Sharif counts a new biosafety and aspirations for the future.” He
the University of Guelph’s Ontario level 2 production animal research also wants to pursue a comparative
Veterinary College (OVC) in Septem- isolation unit, funded in part by analysis of research and graduate
ber 2019. “This question attracted federal and provincial government studies.
me to research, planting the seed of dollars, among U of G’s assets. His goals include investigating
curiosity that triggered my interest “There is no other comparable opportunities for more research
in this area.” facility in the province and it is only chairs for the college and for larger
Sharif moved to Canada from one of a handful in the country. We multi-disciplinary, multi-insti-
his native Iran to complete a PhD in are quite fortunate to have some- tutional grants. He also hopes to
Immunology and Immunogenetics thing like this at the University of create a mentorship plan for faculty
in OVC’s Department of Pathobi- Guelph and OVC,” he adds. focusing on how to ensure fur-
ology, then began a post-doctoral The new facility will improve ther success in tri-council funding
research fellowship at The John researchers’ ability to identify and applications to the Natural Sciences
Robarts Institute in London, Ontario prevent threatening infectious and Engineering Research Council
before returning to a faculty posi- diseases important to animal and of Canada (NSERC) and the Cana-
tion at OVC in 2001. human health. This work includes dian Institutes of Health Research
His return to OVC not only developing vaccines to prevent (CIHR).
brought him back to the poultry disease in animals and to reduce the In addition, Sharif wants to
species he loves, it continued a use of antibiotics to treat disease. explore experiential opportunities
focus on research and training the “As veterinarians and research- for graduate students.
next generation of scientists that ers, we are at the service of Cana- “Many of our students who are
has defined his career. dians. One of the ways we do this finishing their graduate programs
As Associate Dean, Research and is by providing a safe, secure food are probably asking themselves: Am
Graduate Studies, Sharif oversees value chain.” I going to find a career path that
a broad portfolio of research areas Researchers are also explor- I like? And am I prepared for my
at OVC – including applied clinical ing how to reduce the burden of future career? While the answer
science, food animal health man- some disease-causing microbes to the first question is a resound-
agement, infectious disease, public and pathogens, such as salmonella ing yes, the answer to the second
health, antimicrobial resistance and and campylobacter, that can cause question is a bit more complicated,”
stewardship, reproductive biology, illness in humans. “For example, says Sharif.
as well as strengths in clinical trials my work is concentrated on avian Sharif believes future careers
and comparative and translational influenza which has zoonotic capac- will demand more emphasis on
research in cancer, cardiovascular, ity, that is it can jump from animals well-developed core skills, including
stem cell biology and regenerative to humans and sometimes from communication, collaboration, criti-
medicine. Many areas encompass humans back to animals again,” cal thinking and problem solving.
the One Health realm, tackling adds Sharif. “These are skills we always try to
problems impacting animals, Among OVC’s accomplishments, instill in our graduate students, but
humans and the environment Sharif notes the college’s ability to there is an increasing need for more
Shayan Sharif
around the globe. attract Canada Research Chair (CRC) formal training in these areas,” he
Photo credit: Karen Mantel
Among OVC’s research assets are funding in areas such as animal adds. “The University has taken
also an abundance of collaborative reproductive biotechnology, in steps to address these needs and
research networks – in dairy, poul- population disease modelling and there will be more to come, so stay
try, swine and regenerative medi- zoonotic diseases. tuned.”
10 l The Crest The Crest l 11
Image of an ovarian
tumour that has
normalized blood
vessels. The
blue are tumour
cells, the red are
endothelial cells
that line the inside
of blood vessels
and the green are
the smooth muscle An innovative, cost-ef- The co-culture method
cells that are fective method that will provides a more conve-
New approach holds present in mature,
normalized blood
pave the way for new nient and effective way
promise in fighting vessels.
advances in immu- to assess T cells even
notherapy, a type of when a target antigen
ovarian cancer treatment that helps
the body naturally
is unknown.
“We have found a
defend against cancer, way to quantify the
A novel approach new approaches such is being developed at presence or absence
to ovarian cancer as oncolytic viruses and the Ontario Veterinary of T cells that recog-
research at the Ontario immunotherapy. College (OVC). nize the cancer,” says
Veterinary College The latter work, OVC pathobiology van Vloten. “This gives
(OVC) is delivering in collaboration with professors Byram Bri- researchers a tool to
promising results. Profs. Byram Bridle dle and Sarah Wootton, know how T cells are
“The treatment for and Sarah Wootton, in PhD student Jacob behaving in their thera-
women with advanced OVC’s Department of van Vloten and a team peutic model.”
ovarian cancer has not Pathobiology, explores of researchers have The researchers
changed appreciably the power of oncolytic developed a unique are using the co-cul-
in 40 years,” notes OVC viruses to infect and cancer cell co-cultur- ture method in their
Biomedical Sciences kill cancer cells and to ing method that eval- research on a new
professor Jim Petrik. stimulate anti-tumour uates if immunothera- type of cancer treat-
Current treatments responses in the body. pies aimed at fighting ment called oncolytic
have limited effec- Part of the response is
the future of
cancer are effective at virotherapy, a treatment
tiveness, focusing on to also recruit and acti- an early stage. that uses viruses to
destroying the tumour’s vate nearby immune Their co-cultur- destroy cancer cells.
blood supply and trying cells which then also ing method will save This virus is derived
to starve it. enter the tumour.
cancer therapy
researchers time, from sheep and called
“A cancerous The study not only while still maintaining Orf virus. It can be used
tumour grows rapidly showed an uptake of reliable and effective to create a vaccine for
with a vast expanding the oncolytic virus, results. sarcomas, a set of can-
blood vessel system, but also a dramatic Currently, research- cerous tumours made
but it is a poorly func- increase in uptake ers must already of connective tissues.
tioning blood system,” and activation of the know the antigen - a The researchers
explains Petrik. immune cells the virus substance causing are also using Orf virus
A recent ground- produces. the body to make an to treat late-stage
breaking study from his “Once we’ve acti- immune response - to ovarian cancer in mice.
lab showed opening up vated and recruited use in their cancer Pre-clinical trials with
these blood vessels — those immune cells, therapies to measure mice will eventually
vascular normalization they initiate a very the immune responses inform future clinical
—is potentially more potent anti-tumour Petrik’s research is funded by the Cana-
“We’re collaborating with naturally occurring in humans,” says Petrik. dian Institutes of Health Research; Nat- of tumour-specific T trials with companion
effective in fighting effect,” says Petrik. ural Sciences and Engineering Research cells. T cells are a type animals with naturally
with clinicians at both cancers. He recently “If we have therapeutic
ovarian cancer than “We see this in the Council, the Cancer Research Society and of immune system cell occurring cancers.
medical schools as we received funding from success in the mouse
destroying the tumour’s primary tumour, but Ovarian Cancer Canada.
which play an import- Adds van Vloten,
try and transition this to OVC Pet Trust to begin models and then
blood supply. importantly, we see the ant role in attacking “We hope this method
a Phase 1 Clinical Trial this work. also with companion van Vloten’s research is funded by the
The study was the exact same mecha- Cancer Research Society, Canadian Insti- cancer cells. can help other
with human patients,” OVC’s Mona Camp- animals, we may have a
first to investigate this nism replicated in the tutes of Health Research, Natural Sci-
If an antigen isn’t researchers evaluate
says Petrik. “We’re bell Centre for Animal therapy that’s far more ences and Engineering Research Council,
approach in mouse metastatic tumours. known, researchers how well oncolytic
working with human Cancer is the ideal robust and will have The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food
models with advanced This is critical because and Rural Affairs’ Highly Qualified Person- must employ a range viruses and other
ovarian cancer cells and place to investigate much better efficacy in
ovarian cancer. in ovarian cancer, as nel Scholarship program and the Ontario of time-consuming immunotherapies could
so far we’ve been able these therapies in dogs human cancer patients.”
His research team with a lot of other late Veterinary College.
methods to define the work in pre-clinical and
to show that the therapy and cats with sponta- “We’re taking a
developed an approach stage cancers, it’s the antigen before measur- clinical trials.”
is equally as effective in neous disease and offer novel approach to a very
to prune the dysfunc- metastatic disease that ing the T cell response.
human cancer samples these treatments. challenging problem,”
tional blood vessels, ultimately causes a lot
as we see with our “Companion ani- notes Petrik. “There’s a
Working towards a novel way
establishing a tumour of morbidity.”
animal model.” mals live in the same lot of hope that this is
with a good blood Close collabora-
An important trans- environment that we going to really improve
to assess responses to immunotherapy
supply. This pathway tions with McMaster
lational step will include do and their naturally our ability to treat these
was then used to University and Western
bringing the therapy occurring disease is very difficult diseases.”
deliver treatment to University is further
to companion animals similar to what we see
the tumour, including advancing the work.
12 l The Crest The Crest l 13
Q You spearheaded an
innovative community
veterinary outreach program
social workers and agencies
were able to engage new
people who needed support
organizations and human
health and social services,
we came together with the
reason I pursued a masters
degree in social work. Social
work helped me learn so
offering human health ser- because they were coming in same goals, to improve the much about myself, others
vices and health education asking about the vet clinic. health and welfare of those and my place in this world.
alongside preventative veter- By working with us on marginalized in our com- It has literally changed how
inary care that is a model for outreach they began to see munities, human and animal I interact with every person,
exemplary work in this area. pets were a way to establish alike. As veterinarians, we not just my clients. I think
What led you to focus on rapport and a relationship. had much to learn about the that profoundly elevates my
this important area? Since I started CVO challenges that our clients ability to make impact, and
I’ve been asked many times and their pets experienced, I believe that when working
A One Christmas, while
still in vet school, I
volunteered to serve food
‘should homeless people
have pets’? It’s a misguided
question. You can’t answer
and we also had the oppor-
tunity to educate on the
significance and impact of
with marginalized popu-
lations as veterinarians we
need to embrace and prac-
at a church in Toronto. That that question unless you the human-animal bond. We tice the values and ethics of
was the first time I met understand what homeless- believe that CVO is an inter- social work.
someone who had a dog ness is and what contrib- disciplinary model where all
who was homeless. I had
the same bias a lot of people
have. I assumed that these
utes to it. To understand
homelessness, you have to
understand the structural
of us are there to serve both
the people and their animals
regardless of our profes-
Q Could you give an
example of a particular
challenge or setback you
dogs are probably hungry and systemic barriers that sional background. overcame and some words
and not getting care. I found prevent people from being of encouragement for others
out that wasn’t the case. It
was also the first time I had a
chance to sit down and hear
healthy and accessing care,
the social determinants of
health, their lived experi-
Q What do you value
most? What are the
greatest challenges for a
who wish to pursue a path in
community medicine?
these folks’ stories of what
led to homelessness. I hadn’t
really worked in the space
ences, the impacts of racism,
ableism, gender inequality,
heterosexism, economic
veterinarian working in this
area? A I can think of two
instances in which I
experienced real challenges
around homelessness until
I served that meal. It was
disparity and intergenera-
tional poverty. These are all A I value the possibility to
impact both people and
to my outreach work. They
represent the exception, not
Photo supplied by Community Veterinary Outreach.
an eye-opening experience the same things that impact animals, but a big challenge the norm. I had to reach
for me. animal welfare. You can’t is the embedded concepts deep down inside myself,
When I returned to address animal welfare in that people have about the have some really honest,
Ottawa after graduating any meaningful way without role of veterinarians. As One heartfelt conversations with
from OVC I set up a mobile understanding that the Health practitioners, we see people I trust to help me
unit and began offering things that are impacting veterinarians as community deconstruct the situation
behavior consultations for people are also impacting connectors and partners, and find my truth because
companion animals, but animals and people’s ability and have a unique and trust- these instances challenged
I wanted to broaden how to care for them. ing relationship with people everything that I thought
I used the mobile unit. I through their animals. I believed. Having people
was working full time as a Part of the challenge is to who can support you in
veterinarian and teaching
at the local college, but also
wanted to offer wellness
care for pets. Through a
In conversation with...
veterinary colleague, I con-
tacted the executive director
of the Ottawa Mission, an
organization that offers com-
MICHELLE LEM
munity and social services
to the most vulnerable in the
community, and offered to
provide wellness clinics. That
first clinic was just me and a Q You are helping to rede-
fine the role of veteri-
narian as community health
demonstrate the impact of
our work on human health
the process of deep critical
reflexivity is so important.
classmate; we saw 12 people and this is one of the rea- I also believe that having
Founded by veterinarian Michelle Lem in 2003, Community Veterinary Outreach (CVO) improves that day, offering exams and workers. Did you always see sons I came back to do my those really challenging
the life of homeless and vulnerably-housed individuals, families and their pets through a One immunizations. It was really veterinarians in this light masters at OVC, to conduct moments is important
Dr. Michelle Lem or did this approach evolve
with a client and his Heath model of care. The first of its kind, the registered charity has engaged veterinarians as pretty small. But word of
as you developed the CVO
peer-reviewed research to because if you can work
mouth started to spread. contribute to the scientific through those moments
dog at a Community
Veterinary Outreach
community health liaisons, transforming how veterinarians, human healthcare and social ser- We developed a relation- program? knowledge base on the social when your convictions are
clinic in Ottawa. vices interact with marginalized populations and their pets. An OVC DVM 2001 graduate, Lem ship with the public health issues involving animals. challenged, that’s when you
returned to OVC in 2009 to study the effects of pet ownership on street-involved youth. unit and they started send-
ing their nurse to our clinics. A It definitely evolved
over time. As we part-
nered with other community
Another challenge is the
cultural sensitivity and com-
know what you truly believe
and who you really are.
We also started to hear that petency piece, which is the
14 l The Crest The Crest l 15
1 A
new community these groups have on the lives of people and
healthcare program their animal companions.” The new program
in we needs at the University of will bring more of these opportunities into the
ome stats in Guelph’s Ontario curriculum, helping students to learn how to
R
this place here Veterinary College build these relationships and partnerships
to talk about the (OVC) will improve with communities in need.
need and call the health of ani- Importantly, it will also expand and
for action. mals by improving enhance the existing OVC spay-neuter facil-
access to care and ities to further support existing community
influencing the future of veterinary education partnerships, benefit regional shelters, as well
in Canada. as further enhance the student experience.
1
An $11-million donation, the largest single As a result of the gift, new experiential
gift received by OVC, will create the Kim and learning opportunities are being developed,
in we needs Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership such as a rotation for fourth and final year
ome stats in Program (CHPP). Longtime U of G and OVC student veterinarians to improve access to
this place here benefactors Kim and Stu Lang will provide the veterinary care in Northern Indigenous com-
to talk about the funding through their Angel Gabriel Founda- munities.
need and call tion. At its core, the new program will focus The program will include a veterinary
for action. on identifying, understanding and removing director who will forge collaborations with
barriers that impede access to healthcare for community partners.
animals. As well, the gift will create a new profes-
“Our role is to prepare our graduates for sorship in community and/or shelter medicine
1
their future careers. In doing so, we consider to drive academic research in this field.
not just the skills that will equip our students Research is needed to establish evi-
in we needs for their first day on the job, but also the attri- dence-based best practices in providing
ome stats in butes that will sustain them in their careers care for underserved communities and for
this place here for the coming decades,” says OVC Dean sheltered animals and to study shelter man-
to talk about the Jeff Wichtel. “This new program will employ agement strategies to measure cost-benefits
need and call an interdisciplinary One Health approach to and community benefit. On the social side
for action. positively impact animal health and welfare of of the spectrum, research can help deter-
animals for years to come.” mine which approaches to the intercultural
“This gift represents our love for animals exchange of knowledge and experience build
and our desire that this program becomes a the strongest partnerships and community
1
force for good in the world. We hope it will benefits. It also can help determine what
have a positive and lasting impact on animals effect volunteering to provide accessible care
in we needs and those who love them, and that it will help to marginalized groups has on student and
ome stats in inspire generations of future veterinarians,” veterinary professional wellness and mental
this place here said Kim Lang. health, and it can help determine if providing
to talk about the this veterinary care impacts the social and
The CHPP will transform OVC’s approach
need and call
to veterinary medical education, providing health determinants of people without access
for action.
advanced community-based learning oppor- to veterinary care.
tunities, ensuring student veterinarians can In addition to CHPP, the gift will also
grow their competence and confidence before launch Remy’s Fund, named for one of the
Lang’s rescue dogs that received life-saving
1
they graduate.
Photo credit: Dean Palmer
It will also provide funding for post-grad- cancer treatments at OVC, to help subsidize
uate training including Doctor of Veterinary medical care for animals in need.
in we needs
Science (DVSc) and internships in community “Through this new investment, the Ontario
ome stats in
BEYOND the BANDAGE
and shelter medicine, training previously only Veterinary College will graduate veterinari-
this place here
available outside of Canada. ans who are competent to support and lead
to talk about the
“Through this aspirational investment, OVC programs that expand access to animal
need and call
for action. will be able to fully integrate this type of com- healthcare for underserved populations,” says
munity-based training into our curriculum, Wichtel.
valuing the role that our veterinary graduates A lifelong champion of animal welfare,
can play in improving the lives of vulnerable Kim Lang has served on the OVC Pet Trust
populations,” adds Wichtel. advisory board since 2009 and currently
OVC has benefited from strong partner- co-chairs its marketing committee. OVC Pet
A transformational new program at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, the Kim
ships with a number of neighbouring humane Trust improves and advances companion
societies and other community organizations, animal health and well-being by supporting
and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program, will improve the health of animals he notes. “Faculty, staff and students who health care, education and innovative discov-
through more accessible care and help shape the future of veterinary education in Canada. have been fortunate to volunteer with these eries at OVC.
Photo credit: istock.com
organizations have experienced the impact
The Crest l 17
Pet Smart Charities
Pet Smart
grant – spay-neuter
Charities
Contributing to care and community are critical components in the clinics grant supports
student veterinarians’ journey at OVC. Curricular elements are honing
clinical and communication skills in community outreach, while
student outreach clubs provide further hands-on opportunities to build
spay-neuter
one-on-one relationships in communities. Together these formal and clinics
informal approaches at OVC have laid the foundation to enhance valued
Photo credit: Memory Tree
community partnerships along with expanded community-based training A new pilot program has launched
to support spay-neuter clinics in the
for the next generation of graduates.
Guelph area.
A grant from PetSmart Chari-
ties Canada to the Guelph Humane
Society (GHS), will support a partner-
C O M M U N I T Y
ship among GHS, the University of
Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College
(OVC), and Community Veterinary
o u t r e a c h
Outreach (CVO) to bring spay-neuter
options to pet-owning populations
who need it most. The innovative
collaboration is the first of its kind
in the Guelph area. Previously there
have been very limited local low-cost
spay-neuter options available.
“GHS continues to elevate animal
welfare, and it is a great honour to
collaborate with OVC and Community
SEEING POSITIVE GROWTH IN HEALTH AND Genevieve Harris, OVC 2020, First Nations Committee Representative on the COC Executive Team, works
Veterinary Outreach to address pet
overpopulation of owned animals
RELATIONSHIPS FROM ANNUAL POP-UP CLINICS. with other members of the COC First Nations Committee, Jennifer Ho, Taylor Morris and Christina Jobson,
to organize the spring wellness clinics in both Walpole Island First Nation and Kettle and Stony Point First
in our community”, says Lisa Veit,
Associate Director at the Guelph
Nation. Humane Society. “We know there is
provided. a tremendous need for this type of
Students from the Ontario Veterinary this relationship so they know how to con-
College (OVC) at the University of Guelph tribute when they are outside of our walls.” Additionally, Bressette notes that the How has this us that their pets are due for vaccines and
asking about the next clinic. Along with this,
program, and we are excited about
the impact that this program will
have found a meaningful way to contribute
to reconciliation with what they do best –
OVC students visit Walpole Island First
Nation and Kettle and Stony Point First
clinics have helped bring communities
together through the open sharing of love experience organizing we hope the clinics aid in reconciliation efforts have on under-resourced pet owners
taking care of pets and in turn, the hearts of Nation once a year, supervised by licensed for pets. Community members have also the clinics helped you? with First Nations. We are very fortunate to
be involved with both communities who allow
in our community.”
The partnership will provide
their owners. vets, and provide one-on-one consultations held each other accountable for responsible I have gained so much confidence in blood us to make these clinics as approachable and low-cost spay neuter options for two
Since 2012, the First Nations project, part and examinations that can provide anything pet ownership to ensure all pets are well- collection, physical examinations, and perhaps effective as possible. The clients care deeply
cared for. groups of under resourced, owned
of the OVC Community Outreach Club (COC), from microchipping to immunizations. In most importantly, client communication, while for their pets, but are often not in a financial
“I see the animal-human bond as the also providing an important service in these pets: barn cats, whose owners often
has provided two First Nations communi- its first year, 32 pets were seen through position to afford the level of care that they
greatest benefit of the program,” says communities. have large populations of cats and
ties in southern Ontario with annual pet this program but its growing popularity has would like to provide without these clinics.
Bressette. “It’s important to me because cannot afford multiple spay-neu-
wellness clinics. These clinics are supported increased this to over 233 pets in those
ter surgeries, and cats and dogs of
by students, faculty, sponsors and the First
Nations themselves. The project’s popularity
communities in 2019.
“First Nations often have dog and cat
the dog worked with our ancestors to help
them survive. First Nations communities are What have you learned What would you like Community Veterinary Outreach
has continued to grow among First Nations overpopulation issues because individuals re-embracing the dog as family and bringing from working in the OVC students to know? clients, a charity that provides free
preventive veterinary care for pets
members, and within the OVC community.
The project has resulted in well-informed
will take responsibility for animals even
when not affordable – I’ve been told that
their pets to these clinics gives individuals a
sense of pride as custodians.” clinics? I would encourage all students to participate in
at least one of the spring wellness clinics! Even
whose owners are homeless or who
Our clinics have close to 100 patients come are vulnerably-housed.
pet owners and improved pet health, and there are some that feed up to 25 to 28 Community members also appear to be if you are just starting, it’s a great opportunity
through on busy days, meaning that we are The clinics are made possible
notably in a reduction of heartworm disease, dogs,” says Alison Bressette, member of the more confident in their pet health knowl- to learn in a supportive environment. Stepping
not only helping many pets, but we also have through the generous time donated
a fatal parasitic disease found in dogs and Chippewas of Kettle and Stoney Point First edge, something students have assisted away from school and reminding yourself why
the opportunity to learn about many different by volunteer veterinarians, registered
cats. Nation and COC liaison. “These clinics pro- through one-on-one consultation and you work so hard is rewarding.
diseases. veterinary technicians and OVC
“What’s most important to me as a coor- vide affordable veterinary services to those monthly newsletters addressing needs iden-
tified by the communities. student veterinarians, providing high-
dinator is the improvement of animal health, that have been marginalized, while breaking
but also this unique opportunity to aid barriers and providing an opportunity for “This effort wouldn’t be possible without What do you think is value experiential-learning oppor-
reconciliation efforts with the First Nations relationship building.” the support of the communities, Alison, and
the time volunteered by students and local
the biggest benefit of tunities for participating student
veterinarians.
people through direct communication and
pet welfare assistance,” says Prof. Shane
Bressette and Bateman have seen
numerous positive changes in the commu- vets,” says Bateman. “This initiative has the program? The grant will fund 10 clinics
grown in a very positive way and we hope We see improvements in animal health every and will provide approximately 150
Bateman, COC faculty coordinator from nities over the last few years, including a
to continue improving it for many years to year. Conversations have shifted from why spay-neuter surgeries for owned
OVC’s Department of Clinical Studies. “It’s dramatic decline in heartworm disease due
come.” preventative care is important to clients telling pets. Initial clinics were held in the
so important for our students to understand to the annual heartworm preventative care
fall of 2019.
18 l The Crest The Crest l 19You can also read
