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Beef Farmers of Ontario Donates $75,000 to Help Address Northern Ontario’s Veterinary Shortage

Gift Supports the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program and Future Large-Animal Veterinary Care

Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is investing in the future of veterinary care in Northern Ontario with a $75,000 gift to Lakehead University to support the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP), helping expand training opportunities for future veterinarians who will care for livestock and strengthen rural communities across the region.

The donation supports the development of teaching facilities and specialized equipment needed at Lakehead University to educate veterinary students in Northern Ontario, where producers continue to face a significant shortage of large-animal veterinarians. The gift also marks an important milestone in Lakehead University’s fundraising campaign for CDVMP as the project moves toward completion.

“Beef Farmers of Ontario is proud to support Lakehead University and the University of Guelph’s Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program. We thank the Government of Ontario, University of Guelph and Lakehead University for their significant investment and commitment to expanding veterinary education in the province. Training students for the north, in the north, will help build long-term veterinary capacity in communities where access to large-animal care remains a significant challenge,” says Jason Leblond, BFO President. “By investing in the combined anatomy and pathology laboratory and an articulated bovine skeleton, we are helping provide students with practical, hands-on training that reflects the needs of livestock farmers. This program is an important investment in animal health and welfare, the long-term success of farm businesses, food security and the resilience of northern Ontario communities.”

The Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP) is a partnership between Lakehead University and the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Students complete their first year of the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in Thunder Bay before continuing their studies at the Ontario Veterinary College.

Designed specifically to improve access to veterinary care across Northern Ontario, the program emphasizes rural, northern, and large-animal practice while preparing graduates to serve communities where veterinary shortages have become increasingly challenging for farmers and livestock producers.

"Alongside Lakehead University, the Beef Farmers of Ontario deeply understand the importance of veterinary care to the prosperity of Northern Ontario. We are grateful and excited to welcome Beef Farmers of Ontario to the family of donors who support Lakehead University’s work in the region.”," said Michael den Haan, Vice-President, University Advancement.

The gift will support facilities and equipment that provide students with hands-on learning experiences in large-animal medicine, strengthening the University's ability to prepare veterinarians who understand the unique needs of northern agriculture and rural practice.

“This support from Beef Farmers of Ontario is especially meaningful because it comes directly from Ontario’s beef farming community, one of the sectors this program is intended to serve,” said Terri O'Sullivan, Program and Operations Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Science (FSES) at Lakehead University for the CDVMP. “Their investment in Lakehead University’s anatomy and pathology teaching facilities, including an articulated bovine skeleton, will give students important hands-on learning opportunities and a strong foundation in large-animal anatomy. It is a great example of how partnerships with livestock organizations can help us build a veterinary program that reflects the needs of northern agriculture, rural communities, and veterinary practice in the region.”

Beef Farmers of Ontario is the first provincial food commodity organization to support the fundraising campaign for the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, demonstrating the agricultural sector's confidence in Lakehead University's vision to help address the veterinary shortage in Northern Ontario.

The Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program welcomed its first northern cohort in 2025 and represents a significant step toward building long-term veterinary capacity across the region while supporting animal health, food security, and the sustainability of Ontario's livestock industry.

Photo: From L to R: Dylan Schelling, Lakehead University; Dr. Todd Randall, Lakehead University; Jason Leblond, President, Northern Director, Beef Farmers of Ontario; Thomas Brandstetter, Manager of Policy and Issues, Beef Farmers of Ontario; Kevin Schlyter, Lakehead University

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Paws for a Cause: Thunder Bay Steps Up, One Paw at a Time

Todd Randall, Jeff Palmer and Jasper

Access to veterinary care in northern communities is becoming increasingly limited, and for many pet owners, that reality is hitting close to home. Fewer veterinarians mean longer wait times, increased travel, and added stress when care is needed most. It’s a challenge that continues to grow, but one that local efforts are working to address in meaningful, community-driven ways.

This April, local Pet Valu owner, Jeff Palmer (HBComm'02), is stepping up to be a part of the solution.

From April 1–30, all three Thunder Bay Pet Valu locations are partnering with Lakehead's Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP) to raise funds to support the training of future veterinarians in the north and for the north.

For Jeff, this initiative is deeply personal. A Lakehead alumnus born and raised in Thunder Bay, Jeff has spent years in the pet industry building a career grounded in care for animals and the people who love them. This is his way of giving back—to the community that raised him, the university that helped shape him, and the pets (and people) he serves every day.

Throughout the month, customers are invited to purchase a paw (ranging from $5 to $100+), add their name (or your pet’s), and watch it join a growing wall of paws displayed proudly in-store, each one representing our community's commitment to bringing veterinary care closer to home.

This is more than a donation. It’s an investment in supporting the training of future veterinarians right here at home, strengthening access to care for animals across Northern communities. It’s about making sure that our furry companions can receive the care they deserve, when they need it most.

Visit your local Pet Valu this April, support CDVMP, and leave your mark, one paw at a time.

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OVC and Lakehead Accelerate Veterinary Training Expansion with Key Leadership Appointment

Woman standing on a dirt road flanked by grass and trees and crops. She is wearing jeans and a golf collared t-shirt and has her arms crossed smiling at the camera. Lakehead University and the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) are advancing the next phase of the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP) with the appointment of Dr. Terri O’Sullivan as Program and Operations Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies at Lakehead.

The CDVMP, a joint initiative between the two institutions, is designed to expand veterinary training capacity and help address the significant need for veterinary services in Northern Ontario.

“It’s a privilege to contribute to this important next stage in the implementation of the CDVMP,” said O’Sullivan, a professor in OVC’s Department of Population Medicine. “I am excited to work alongside colleagues at Lakehead and OVC as we help shape a program that will expand access to veterinary training and create long-term benefits for the veterinary profession, animal health, the agriculture sector, and communities across the North.”

“Dr. O’Sullivan brings a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience to this new role that will be a huge asset in helping OVC and Lakehead bring the CDVMP to realization,” said Dr. Todd Duffield, OVC’s Department of Population Medicine chair.

O’Sullivan will continue in her OVC faculty role while taking on a significant service commitment supporting CDVMP implementation and operational development at Lakehead, where she will also serve as External Adjunct Faculty in Lakehead’s Department of Veterinary Science. She will liaise directly with CDVMP leads at OVC to collaborate throughout the program rollout.

“Dr. O’Sullivan’s appointment marks an important step forward in the development of the CDVMP,” said Dr. Jeff Wichtel, OVC’s dean. “Her extensive experience in veterinary education will help ensure that this initiative delivers high‑quality training and meaningful impact for students and communities across Northern Ontario.”

Leadership of this next stage at Lakehead will be guided by Dr. Todd Randall, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies (FSES), who is also serving as Interim Chair of the Department of Veterinary Science. Under his direction, preparations are now underway to begin recruiting faculty and staff, establish operational frameworks, and build the academic and research capacity that will support program delivery.

“Dr. O’Sullivan’s experience in rural community veterinary practise, and longstanding leadership within veterinary education will be an important asset as Lakehead and OVC continue to advance this collaborative program,” said Randall. “Her advisory role will help support the operational planning and coordination needed to bring the CDVMP to life at Lakehead and strengthen veterinary training opportunities in Northern Ontario.”

O’Sullivan will work with leadership at Lakehead and OVC to support key aspects of CDVMP implementation, including operational planning, and coordination between the partner institutions, and preparation for the program’s first phase of delivery at Lakehead.

Learn more about the CDVMP.

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Government of Canada Invests $1.5 million so Lakehead University Can Expand, Create New Programming and Form Strategic Alliances

Dr. Gillian Siddall Minister Patti Hajdu and Dr. Gillian Balfour FedNor is investing $1.5 million to help establish the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP) at Lakehead, one of Canada’s first veterinary programs designed for Northern and rural agricultural economies.

The investment will allow the University to purchase the specialized laboratory and research equipment required to launch the CDVMP. This partnership initiative with the University of Guelph will train future veterinarians with the goal of addressing the shortage of veterinary professionals living and working in Northern Ontario. Starting in 2027, students will begin their studies at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay as part of the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program and complete their training at the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph. Graduates will receive a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Guelph.

Read the full announcement: https://www.canada.ca/en/fednor/news/2026/03/government-of-canada-invests-15-million-so-lakehead-university-can-expand-create-new-programing-and-form-strategic-alliances.html

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Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Construction begins on Lakehead’s new veterinary education building

Artist rendering of Gakina Awesiinyag | Photo credit: mcCallumSather 2025

Construction is set to begin on Lakehead University’s new animal education facility to support the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program, delivered in partnership with the University of Guelph, to help address northern Ontario’s critical veterinarian shortage.

A $12.6-million contract has been awarded to Tom Jones Corporation to build the facility, named Gakina Awesiinyag, meaning “All Animals (Place For)” in Anishinaabemowin.

An Indigenous-led ground blessing ceremony was held on Lakehead’s campus in June 2025, in part to celebrate the visionary philanthropists and funders helping bring this project to life. Construction will begin the week of August 25, 2025, with completion expected in summer 2026.

“Bringing the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program to life has taken years of planning and the dedication of many people,” said Dr. Gillian Balfour, Provost and Vice-President, Academic at Lakehead University. “Breaking ground is an incredible milestone, and I expect construction to spark excitement across our campus community as students, faculty, staff, and friends see evidence of Lakehead evolving in new and exciting ways.”

Gakina Awesiinyag will provide modern learning space for students and safe housing for both large and small animals, along with storage for feed, bedding, and supplies. Designed by mcCallumSather, the facility will feature advanced mechanical systems that prioritize animal comfort, sustainability, and operational efficiency.

"The launch of construction on this new facility marks a significant step forward for the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. "Our government’s investment of $14.78-million provides support to build education facilities at Lakehead University and the University of Guelph to help more students from Northern Ontario launch rewarding careers in veterinary medicine, safeguarding animal health across the province and strengthening food security."

The next phase of the project includes renovating Lakehead’s ATAC and CASES buildings to support clinical training, student life, and anatomy/pathobiology studies. The competitive RFP process for this work is still underway.

The Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program was created to address the shortage of veterinarians in northern Ontario, including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. This shortage affects both pet owners’ access to care and the region’s growing agri-food sector. To support the program, the Government of Ontario is investing up to $14.78 million, including $4.5-million toward Lakehead’s capital build requirements.

“The agricultural industry is expanding in Northern Ontario, and having well-trained veterinarians is key to sustaining that growth,” said George Pirie, Minister of Northern Economic Development and Growth. “This new program will address the needs of the region with a made-in-the-North solution and help further secure our growing northern economy.”

The program’s first Northern Cohort students will begin their studies at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College this September. Beginning in 2027, once Lakehead’s facilities are complete, students will start their studies at Lakehead before completing the program at Guelph. Students will gain hands-on experience with veterinarians in the north and receive training tailored to rural and remote practice.

"The Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program will ensure Northern Ontario has the highly qualified veterinarians to keep our pets and livestock healthy,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. “Our government is proud to support this innovative partnership between Lakehead University and University of Guelph and celebrates the monumental groundbreaking of Lakehead’s new world-class animal education facility where future students will gain the skills they need to support northern businesses, farms and families for generations to come.”

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