This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph will welcome its first Northern Cohort-20 students from Northern Ontario starting their path to becoming veterinarians through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP), a unique partnership between the University of Guelph and Lakehead University.
This cohort marks a significant step in a province-wide effort to tackle the shortage of veterinary care in Northern Ontario. The need for veterinary services for pets, farm animals, and in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities is leading to an increasing animal health and welfare crisis across Northern Ontario.
Over the next four years, these northern students will train at OVC with the aim of returning to their hometowns to provide essential, accessible, and culturally relevant veterinary care. The CDVMP is backed by $14.7 million in funding from the Government of Ontario allocated for new facilities on each campus to support this collaborative program.
“These students have strong connections to Northern Ontario, a desire to help others, and a dedication to enhancing animal health and welfare,” says Dr. Jeff Wichtel, dean of the Ontario Veterinary College. “We’re proud to support their journey and be part of a lasting solution that improves veterinary resources across the province.”
Paris grew up surrounded by horses along with farm animals; she discovered her enthusiasm for mixed practice during her studies focusing on Animal Biology within Uof G’s Agricultural College.“I’m eager about serving both large creatures like horses plus small ones right here where I was raised-the Nipissing District,” she expresses.
A proud graduate from Uof G, Juliahas several years’ experiencein wildlife rehabilitation alongwithan immense passionfor shelter medicine.“My goalis providing affordableand accessibleveterinaryservices torural communitiesin Northwestern Ontario,”she notes.”I’malso dedicatedto tacklingthe strayanimalpopulationin underservedareasandworkingtowardresolvingtheveterinarycarecrisisinthe North.”
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Aidenis very connectedto his communityand enjoys outdooractivities such ashockeyandfootball.“Beingpartofthe Northern Cohorat OVCisahuge honorfor me , ” he states. “ I can’t waittomeetmy classmatesand continueon my pathtowardsservingmy communityas aveterinarian. ”His dreamisto comebackto Thunder Bayand openhis ownclinic.
Emily Van Rassel(Sudbury)
Ontario Veterinary College Communications
Email: ovc. communications@uoguelph. ca
Phone:647-828-6441 Lakehead Media Relations
Email: mediarelations@lakeheadu. ca
Phone:(807)-343-8944
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Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
The CDVMP merges OVC’s well-respected veterinary education with Lakehead University’s 60-year history focused on strengthening northern, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Together, these institutions are removing barriers to education while building a skilled workforce ready to serve in the North. “I am thrilled to see the first group starting their studies in the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at OVC,” says Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “By supporting new construction and expanding the College’s capacity, our government is enabling more students from Northern Ontario to receive training that leads them toward fulfilling careers in veterinary medicine while promoting animal health throughout the province.” Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security highlights that veterinarians in Northern Ontario play an essential role in keeping pets as well as livestock healthy for businesses. “Our government takes pride in welcoming this first group into the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program; it will equip students with skills necessary for excellent animal care throughout Northern Ontario for many years ahead.”University of Guelph & Lakehead University Collaboration
The students will participate in hands-on learning experiences while collaborating with local veterinarians and completing specialized courses designed specifically for northern practice. Graduates will earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Guelph. While Lakehead University develops new facilities for this program, both initial cohorts (2025 and 2026) will complete all four years at Guelph’s campus. Starting in 2027, it’s anticipated that students will begin studying at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus before finishing their program at OVC. “Seeing this inaugural Northern Cohort embark on their veterinary studies at OVC this fall is truly an important milestone,” said Dr. Gillian Balfour, Provost and Vice-President Academic at Lakehead University. “Lakehead feels proud and hopeful as we kick off another school year-one filled with opportunities for positive change benefiting people as well as animals throughout northern Ontario. We eagerly anticipate welcoming future groups into our new facilities located in Thunder Bay.” The journey begins on Sept. 2 with OVC’s Orientation Week concluding with a Professional Welcome Ceremony on Sept. 7 where each student receives a blue lab coat along with a stethoscope symbolizing their entry into DVM training.Get To Know Some Members Of The Northern Cohort
Shanelle Berthier (Timmins)
Shanelle studied at UPEI where she worked alongside Atlantic Veterinary College Teaching Hospital as well as on a dairy farm.“I’ve seen how limited access to veterinary services affects lives firsthand,” she shares.“I want to bring my expertise back home so I can improve animal welfare along with emergency services.”Paris Fuzy (Corbeil)
Paris grew up surrounded by horses along with farm animals; she discovered her enthusiasm for mixed practice during her studies focusing on Animal Biology within Uof G’s Agricultural College.“I’m eager about serving both large creatures like horses plus small ones right here where I was raised-the Nipissing District,” she expresses.
Julia Heyder (Thunder Bay)
A proud graduate from Uof G, Juliahas several years’ experiencein wildlife rehabilitation alongwithan immense passionfor shelter medicine.“My goalis providing affordableand accessibleveterinaryservices torural communitiesin Northwestern Ontario,”she notes.”I’malso dedicatedto tacklingthe strayanimalpopulationin underservedareasandworkingtowardresolvingtheveterinarycarecrisisinthe North.”
Aiden Lehto (Thunder Bay)
Emily Van Rassel(Sudbury)![]()
Emilyis passionateaboutadvocatingfornorthernstudentsalongwiththe LGBTQ+community. She valuesher home region’slandscapeand tight-knitcommunities , aimingto amplifyunderrepresentedvoicesinvetmed while cultivatingstrongrelationshipswith clientsandanimalsin her area.
Enhancing Capabilitiesforthe North
This Northern Cohortisfundamental tothe Collaborative Doctorof Veterinary Medicine Programmeant torecruittrainedstudentsfrom Northern Ontario whoare committedtoreturninghomeafter graduation.
“ These Studentsrepresentthefutureofveterinarycare inthe North , ”stated Dr. Joanne Hewson , associate deanofstudents&academicat OVC. “Theirstoriesillustrate resilience , compassion, andleadershipthatwilltransformthisprofessionforyears ahead.”
Formoreinformationregardingthe CDVMPandtogetherwith Northern Cohort
Contact:
Ontario Veterinary College CommunicationsEmail: ovc. communications@uoguelph. ca
Phone:647-828-6441 Lakehead Media Relations
Email: mediarelations@lakeheadu. ca
Phone:(807)-343-8944
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