First Northern Cohort Joins Ontario Vet Program

New veterinary program aims to boost care in Northern Ontario

This September, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph welcomed its inaugural Northern Cohort of 20 students through the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP). This initiative, created in partnership with Lakehead University, marks a milestone in addressing the shortage of veterinary care in Northern Ontario. 

The shortage of veterinarians in the North has created challenges for companion animals, livestock, and rural and Indigenous communities. By training students with strong ties to the region, the program aims to build veterinary capacity and ensure accessible, culturally responsive care. 

Supported by $14.7 million in provincial funding, new infrastructure is being developed at both universities to support the program. For now, the first two cohorts will complete all four years at the Guelph campus.  

Beginning in 2027, students are expected to start their studies at Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus before completing their degree at OVC. 

The program combines OVC’s internationally recognized veterinary training with Lakehead’s long history of serving northern, rural, and Indigenous communities. Students will engage in hands-on learning, work with local veterinarians, and complete specialized courses tailored to northern practice. Graduates will receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Guelph. 

Government leaders emphasized the importance of this program. “Our government is proud to welcome the first cohort of students in the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, which will equip students with the skills and training they need to deliver excellent animal care in Northern Ontario for decades to come,”  said Nolan Quinn, Ontario’s Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. 

The inaugural cohort includes students from communities such as Timmins, Corbeil, Thunder Bay, and Sudbury. Their shared goal is to return home after graduation to provide essential veterinary services and strengthen animal welfare across Northern Ontario. 

As the program begins with orientation and the Professional Welcome Ceremony, where students receive their lab coats and stethoscopes, it represents more than academic achievement—it is a step toward solving a long-standing veterinary care crisis in the North. 

Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic