Overview
More than 500 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the internationally-recognized veterinary college that includes a veterinary medical centre, a provincial diagnostic laboratory and large-scale research facilities. The WCVM is part of the University of Saskatchewan campus, located along the banks of the South Saskatchewan River in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Each year, up to 88 students begin the four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Based on an interprovincial agreement with three western provinces, WCVM accepts an allotted number of applicants from British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The college also considers applicants from Canada's northern territories.
College leadership
WCVM Dean's Group
Dr. Gillian Muir
Dean, WCVM
Dr. Bruce Wobeser
Interim Associate Dean, Academic, WCVM
Ginger Appel
Chief Operations and Finance Officer, WCVM
Dr. Steve Manning
Associate Dean, Clinical Programs, WCVM
Dr. Lynn Weber
Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, WCVM
WCVM Department Heads
Dr. Cindy Shmon, Department Head
Small Animal Clinical Sciences
Dr. Chris Luby, Department Head
Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Dr. Susantha Gomis, Department Head
Veterinary Pathology
Dr. Janet Hill, Department Head
Veterinary Microbiology
Dr. Daniel MacPhee, Interim Department Head
Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
Interprovincial agreement
In 2020, the Governments of Manitoba, British Columbia and Saskatchewan renewed their financial commitment to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on the University of Saskatchewan campus for the five years (2020-2025).
The renewal of the WCVM Interprovincial Agreement helps to ensure that Western Canada has a steady supply of veterinarians with in-depth knowledge of animal health and public health, as well as an awareness of the standards and issues facing livestock, fowl and fisheries producers and pet owners.
The college's regional responsibilities for providing veterinary education, expertise and research are officially recognized in the WCVM Interprovincial Agreement — a unique document that is updated and renewed by the western provinces and WCVM every five years. The longstanding agreement spells out the terms with respect to provincial enrolment quotas, residency status of applicants to the college and the cost-sharing formula for funding the regional college at USask.
Our commitments
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program
The college's DVM program provides future veterinarians with a contemporary, relevant education that enables them to meet the changing needs of society. Nearly 80 faculty — including specialists in a range of different clinical disciplines — deliver the four-year program that's designed to prepare students for vital careers in private practice, public service, research, academia and industry.Post-graduate programs
WCVM's graduate training includes master's and PhD degree programs, as well as internships and residencies in a range of clinical disciplines. WCVM's graduate student population is at an all-time high with more than 150 graduate students working in a range of areas through the college.Research in biomedical and veterinary sciences
The veterinary college annually attracts more than $10 million in public and private research funding. In return, WCVM researchers are making internationally significant discoveries in a range of areas including basic and applied sciences, clinical sciences, comparative medicine, food safety, toxicology, public health and environmental health.Public extension education
Each year, WCVM faculty members present some of the latest information and research discoveries at conferences organized by livestock or breed associations, sport organizations or wildlife groups. When important health issues arise in the region, the college plays a key role in organizing information meetings or distributing fact sheets that provide science-based answers to the public's questions and concerns.Clinical and diagnostic services and consultations
The WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre is a highly advanced medical facility where undergraduate and graduate students can develop their clinical and diagnostic skills. The teaching hospital serves as Western Canada's premier referral centre with the latest in advanced diagnostic and treatment options for animal health care.Continuing education for veterinarians
The WCVM helps to organizing continuing education courses and seminars for veterinary organizations. In addition, faculty members regularly share their research findings at veterinary conferences and by publishing in peer-reviewed journals.Strategic Plan
In October 2018, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) released its strategic plan, The University the World Needs, which sets major priorities and cross-campus commitments through to 2025.
As part of this planning process, a team of WCVM representatives worked on the college’s own strategic plan based on discussion and feedback from the college's community. This team identified four fundamental goals that will guide our efforts:
- Ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of the college
- Strengthen and expand the WCVM’s research mission
- Enrich and expand the student experience
- Advance and promote our clinical expertise, training and outreach
These goals dovetail with USask’s core principles of sustainability, creativity, diversity and connectivity, along with the university plan’s priority on three key commitments: courageous curiosity, boundless collaboration and inspired communities.
- Click here to read an overview of the WCVM's Strategic Plan
- Visit the University Plan 2025 website
Master Plan
In 2019, the WCVM established a team to develop a comprehensive WCVM building master plan that aligns with the WCVM Strategic Plan, which is part of the University of Saskatchewan’s long-term planning process.
The WCVM’s Strategic Infrastructure and Space Master Plan, which became available to the WCVM community in March 2022, will help to direct and guide the future use and expansion of the WCVM building's space as the college develops priorities to accommodate its research, academic, clinical and administrative needs.
Goals
- Inform future capital-related decisions as well as to highlight the medium- and long-term needs of WCVM and its partners.
- Ensure that the WCVM continues to meet or exceed accreditation standards outlined by the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education.
- Better align institutional, college and facilities designated resources.
- Create a model for prioritizing space and capital decision making.
- Review and understand current space allocation and use.
WCVM Advisory Council
To maintain the co-operative, regional approach to higher education, regional representatives from all western provinces participate in the WCVM's Advisory Council that was established in 1965. The council's members, which include representatives from the veterinary profession, advanced education, agriculture and industry, provide formal communication on regional needs between the four provinces and the college.
Accreditation
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine holds the status of full accreditation with the American Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) Council on Education. After an accreditation team site visit in October 2017, the AVMA Council on Education confirmed the WCVM's full accreditation status in April 2018.
The college's next AVMA COE accreditation site visit will take place in 2024.
- The WCVM student pass rate for the NAVLE exam in 2022-23 was 97 per cent — nearly 20 points higher than the 80 per cent rate required by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. All veterinary graduates must pass the NAVLE before they can be licensed to practise in North America and in other parts of the world.
Accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education (COE) represents the highest standard of achievement for veterinary medical education in the United States and Canada. AVMA-accredited veterinary institutions have completed a stringent, comprehensive peer review to ensure their commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
Additional information
The Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Medical Centre is an accredited member of the American Animal Hospitals Association (AAHA).
The AAHA worked with a group of veterinary experts to develop the AAHA Standards of Accreditation as benchmarks of excellence. Hospitals and animal health care centres must undergo an extensive evaluation process before accreditation is given, and re-evaluations are conducted every three years.
Voluntary AAHA accreditation ensures that the WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre is up to date on changes in veterinary medicine and is offering the highest quality of care and service to its patients and clients.
Awards
Members of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have been recognized for their skills and contributions to education, research and clinical service at the college, university and national levels.
Click below to view listings of recent awards received by WCVM faculty and staff.