University of Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Centre celebrates new name and community involvement

The original WCVM Veterinary Teaching Hospital officially became the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) after the U of S approved the name change in September 2011.
When the WCVM opened its hospital in 1969, its main goal was to give veterinary students practical clinical experience. But over the past four decades, the building has dramatically grown in size and in purpose. The WCVM centre recently completed a major expansion and upgrade of its facilities, and it now provides western Canadians with a range of general and specialized clinical services.
"Our new name better reflects the facility's roles as a centre of excellence for veterinary education, clinical services, and research in Western Canada," said Dr. Douglas Freeman, WCVM dean. "The Veterinary Medical Centre is now internationally recognized for its clinical services, its involvement in animal and human health research, and its extensive community outreach."
For example, the WCVM and the Saskatoon SPCA work together on several initiatives including a spay-neuter program to control the number of unwanted animals in the city.
"It is very rare to have a relationship that benefits multiple parties," said Tiffiny Koback, shelter director of the Saskatoon SPCA. "This is one of those affiliations that has a positive impact on our adoptable animals, adoptive families, senior veterinary students and our community as a whole. We feel privileged to be part of such a mutually beneficial relationship."
"These community partnerships benefit everyone," said Dr. Klaas Post, acting director of the VMC. "Our senior veterinary students gain additional surgical practice time and enriched training before graduation while the SPCA has more success in finding homes for spayed and neutered animals."
Post added that the WCVM has also partnered with Saskatchewan livestock producers so senior students gain hands-on experience with vaccinations and pregnancy examinations in large herds of cattle and horses.
As well, WCVM faculty members and students regularly participate in spay-neuter clinics that are held in northern Saskatchewan communities.
Located on the U of S campus in Saskatoon, the VMC is an integral part of the WCVM — the regional veterinary college for Western Canada. The WCVM is a Canadian centre of veterinary education, expertise and research with nearly 450 students enrolled in veterinary and graduate degree programs.
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For more information, contact:
Myrna MacDonald
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 291-9950
sm.ridley@sasktel.net