Veterinary researcher to lead Ontario Veterinary College starting June 2026
The University of Guelph has announced the appointment of Dr. Julia Montgomery as the new dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). She will begin her five-year leadership term on June 15, 2026. The appointment marks an important step for one of Canada’s most respected veterinary institutions.
“I am deeply humbled and genuinely excited to be joining the Ontario Veterinary College as its next dean,” said Montgomery. “Being entrusted with the leadership of Canada’s premier veterinary institution by the OVC community and the University of Guelph is a great honour.”
Dr. Montgomery is an experienced veterinarian, researcher, and academic leader with more than twenty years of professional experience. She has worked in several leading universities and veterinary institutions, building strong expertise in veterinary education, research, and clinical practice.
Before joining the University of Guelph, Montgomery served as professor and department head of veterinary clinical services at Oklahoma State University. In this role, she led academic programs and supported research that focused on improving animal health and veterinary medicine.
Earlier in her career, she spent more than ten years as a faculty member at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. During that time, she contributed to teaching, research, and the development of veterinary training programs.
Montgomery’s research focuses on clinical questions in equine medicine. Her work studies several important health issues affecting horses, including equine asthma, metabolic syndrome, laminitis, and rehabilitation. She is also interested in developing innovative technologies that support both animal and human health.
Her research efforts connect closely with the University of Guelph’s One Health Institute, which promotes collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health experts.
Montgomery earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hannover, Germany. She later completed a PhD at the University of Prince Edward Island. She also completed a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine and became a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in the same specialty.
The Ontario Veterinary College is recognized as a global leader in veterinary science, education, and research. The college regularly ranks among the top veterinary schools in the world.
Through education and innovation, OVC helps train future veterinarians and health professionals while advancing research that supports the health and well-being of animals, people, and the environment. Under Montgomery’s leadership, the college is expected to continue strengthening its role in global veterinary science.
Photo Credit: UofG-OVC-Dean-Julia-Montgomery