Victoria – Clinics that help B.C. farmers and ranchers care for their animals will have extra sets of skilled hands in their offices through a new program that covers summer placement costs for both veterinary and veterinary technologist students. The $300,000 pilot program offers up to $6,000 per placement to help with wages and travel costs, and could support the placements of up to 50 students this year.
Eligible veterinary practices must be accredited by the College of Veterinarians of BC and offer services for livestock and farm animals that may include cattle, swine, sheep, goats, poultry, bison, and fish. Practices that provide services to clients at any production scale (for example, large-scale, small lot) are eligible to apply.
Eligible students must have completed their first year of studies and be enrolled in an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited veterinary college or an AVMA or Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Animal Health Technology / Veterinary Technician Program.
Veterinary practices can apply here
The program is funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with applications accepted until 4:30 pm (Pacific time) on April 15, 2024, or until the funding has been fully allocated.
The program is funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a federal-provincial-territorial initiative. Funding will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis with applications accepted until 4:30 pm (Pacific time) on April 15, 2024, or until the funding has been fully allocated.
The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
“Canada’s farmers and ranchers rely on the support of veterinary professionals to care for the health and welfare of their animals. By offering students the experience and skills they need to treat livestock and farm animals, this investment will help ensure that B.C.’s veterinary offices can continue to meet demand for services well into the future.” – Lawrence MacAulay, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Picture courtesy: College of Veterinarians of BC