Northern Roots, Veterinary Futures: OVC Welcomes First Northern Cohort

This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph will welcome its inaugural Northern Cohort—20 students from Northern Ontario embarking on their journey to become veterinarians through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP), a groundbreaking partnership between the University of Guelph and Lakehead University.  

This cohort is a milestone in a province-wide initiative to address the veterinary care shortage in Northern Ontario. Access to veterinary services for companion animals, farm animals, and in rural, remote and Indigenous communities is driving a growing animal health and welfare crisis across Northern Ontario.  

Over the next four years, the northern students will train at OVC with the goal of returning to their home communities to deliver essential, accessible and culturally responsive veterinary care. The CDVMP is supported by $14.7 million in funding from the Government of Ontario earmarked for new infrastructure on each campus to support the delivery of the collaborative program.  

“These students bring deep ties to Northern Ontario, a passion for service, and a commitment to improving animal health and welfare,” says Dr. Jeff Wichtel, dean of the Ontario Veterinary College. “We’re proud to support their journey and to be part of a long-term solution that strengthens veterinary capacity across the province.”