[BODY] Ontario farmers are stepping up to address a critical shortage of large animal veterinarians by funding new scholarships for students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine and technology.
Nine students were recently recognized at the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s (OFA) Annual General Meeting in Toronto as the first recipients of the program. Each award is valued at $2,000 and aims to support future professionals who will serve livestock producers across the province.
“One of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today—not just here in Ontario, but across Canada and around the world—is the shortage of veterinarians, particularly those who work with large animals,” commented Drew Spoelstra, the President of the OFA. “Access to veterinary care is essential for livestock health, food safety, and farm productivity.”
The scholarship program was introduced earlier this year by OFA and is backed by several commodity groups, including the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Veal Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Sheep Farmers, and genetics company EastGen.
Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel, Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), praised the initiative: “By investing in the next generation of veterinarians, our agricultural partners are helping to ensure a strong, sustainable future for rural communities and food production across the province.”
Meet the Ontario Recipients
- Alison Eyre (Athens)–Raised on a dairy farm, Alison is in her first year at the OVC and plans to specialize in large animal practice in Eastern Ontario. Dairy Farmers of Ontario-sponsored.
- Lily Copp (Erin)–A recent animal biology graduate, Lily works on a dairy farm and aims to focus on herd health after completing her veterinary degree. Dairy Farmers of Ontario-sponsored.
- Hope Grootenboer (Murillo)–Part of OVC’s northern cohort, Hope hopes to return to Thunder Bay as a mixed animal veterinarian. Beef Farmers of Ontario-sponsored.
- Erica Robertson (Kent Bridge)–In her final year at OVC, Erica brings six generations of farming experience and plans to focus on large animal medicine. Veal Farmers of Ontario-sponsored.
- Samantha Dixon (New Hamburg)–A second-year vet student with a master’s in genetics, Samantha is passionate about sheep health and dairy calf management. Ontario Sheep Farmers and EastGen co-sponsored.
Veterinary Technician recipients include Mavis Carberry (Guelph/Eramosa), Alexa Elford (Kimberley), Claire Koch (Baden), and Sidney Sicard (Markdale), who are all pursuing careers that support Ontario’s livestock industry.
Additional details about the program and recipients can be found at www.ofa.on.ca/community/bursary-program.