USask mourns the passing of Dr. Leslie Dubé

The Saskatoon philanthropist, who died on March 13, 2024, at the age of 91, was bestowed with an honorary degree in 2007 for his many contributions to the University of Saskatchewan and to organizations across the province.

WCVM alumnus named member of Order of Canada

Dr. Lorne Hepworth, a 1971 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan, was named a member of the Order of Canada in recognition of his contributions to agriculture and research.

Graduate Research Showcase: Moving Saskatchewan forward

The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) in collaboration with the Office of Vice President Research (OVPR) hosted the USask Graduate Research Showcase on October 6th, 2023. The event welcomed distinguished guests and elected officials to network with some of CGPS’s top research talent to discuss how emerging research at USask works to advance Saskatchewan’s economic and social growth.

Cartwright honoured for dedication to learning

Carolyn Cartwright of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) started her career in veterinary medicine with the intent of making a positive difference in the lives of patients and their families.

WCVM veterinarians and alumni earn national honours

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) has recognized three veterinarians from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) for their exceptional achievements in improving health care for livestock and companion animals in Canada.

WCVM scientist among USask's top research award recipients

Recipients of the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) top honour of Distinguished Researchers for 2023 are Dr. Cheryl Waldner (DVM, PhD), and Dr. Wen Jun (Chris) Zhang (PhD), internationally recognized experts in their fields who have contributed their talents to USask for more than two decades.

Celebrate World Book Day with WCVM authors

It’s World Book Day on April 23, 2023, and if you’re on the hunt for a good book, here are some options that have been written by Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) alumni and faculty.

Vet students gain sled dog medicine experience at Canadian Challenge

One of Emmalyn Elgersma’s favourite memories of the 2023 Canadian Challenge International Sled Dog Race took place around midnight while she and other volunteers waited for the first sled dog teams to arrive at the checkpoint in Missinipe — more than 150 kilometres (km) north of Prince Albert, Sask.

WCVM plays key role in addressing national veterinary shortage

Six decades ago, the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) selection as the future home of a veterinary college serving Western Canada made the front page of The Saskatoon Star Phoenix — welcome news for a region suffering from a critical lack of veterinarians.

Education focus makes Expo a natural fit for vet college

If you own or enjoy horses, you'll want to check out the 10th edition of the Saskatchewan Equine Expo — an educational event that has been bringing together people from all equine disciplines and geographic locations since 2012.

Manitoba government reserves seats for ag-focused students

The Government of Manitoba announced on Oct. 7 that the province’s five additional seats at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will be aimed at students with rural backgrounds who plan on returning to rural veterinary practice and supporting livestock and poultry industries.

'Helping the horse': combining veterinary medicine and farriery

Dr. Steve O’Grady, who is internationally known for his dual expertise as a farrier and a veterinarian, is the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s featured “EquineED Talk” speaker at the 2022 Saskatchewan Equine Expo on Friday, Oct. 28.

Life after laminitis

If you call Bob Wood, you’ll likely hear birds singing in the background. Before his mare Jessie got sick, Wood could usually be found out in his pasture with his two horses, two dogs and one cat by his side.

WCVM alumni appointed to Order of Canada

Dr. David Waltner-Toews, a graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), was appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada – one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

WCVM hires pollinator health research chair

A new University of Saskatchewan (USask) research chair position at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will focus on the health of pollinators that play an integral role in global food production and agricultural sustainability.

Five questions with Dr. Candace Lowe

For Candace Lowe, DVM, MVetSci., Dipl. AVDC, hard work, determination, and a life-long adoration of animals were all essential to the foundation of her career in veterinary dentistry.

WCVM PRIDE club creates space for community

When Madlyn Lung sent an email message to the entire Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) community asking about interest in a Pride club, she was overwhelmed by the response.

Graduating veterinarians choose diverse career paths

The 78 veterinarians graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) this year are facing an unprecedented number of career choices and graduating ready to fill a range of needs in the veterinary profession.

USask honours Wastewater Surveillance Team for public engagement

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Wastewater Surveillance Team, which responded swiftly to the arrival of COVID-19 by developing a monitoring program that provides reliable forecasts of infection outbreaks in communities, is being recognized with USask’s 2022 Publicly Engaged Scholarship Team Award.

WCVM faculty earn awards for their international efforts

Two faculty members at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) have received international awards from the University of Saskatchewan (USask) in recognition of their exceptional efforts to improve the lives of people and animals around the world.

WCVM graduate students excel at research expo

Members of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) community excelled at the 2022 Life and Health Sciences Research Expo — an annual event at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

Animal behaviour deciphered

Dr. Karen Machin has studied stress and behaviour in wildlife for many years, but in her spare time, the veterinarian and researcher enjoys training and competing with her dog.

Vet Topics (Spring 2022) now online

The Spring 2022 issue of Vet Topics, news publication for the veterinary college's Companion Animal Health Fund, is now available online. 

Emergency needs increase with pet ownership boom

As the only 24-hour veterinary hospital in Saskatoon and area, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) is experiencing increased demand for its services.

Building the foundations to better her profession

From building dog houses to organizing anti-racism education for her peers, Charlie Wyatt-Swain has found many ways to serve her community during her time as a veterinary student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

WCVM hosts equine research discussion

Horse health research is the focus of an upcoming virtual panel discussion that's asking for input from horse owners about current and future research studies at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

USask veterinary pathologist appointed to Order of Canada

Dr. Frederick (Ted) Leighton, a professor emeritus and graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), was appointed officer of the Order of Canada — one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

Our five favourite articles of 2021

As 2021 wraps up, the WCVM Today team has reviewed the past year’s content from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s news archives and selected a handful of favourite stories for our readers. Enjoy!

Advancing Truth and Reconciliation at the WCVM

The University of Saskatchewan’s campus-wide events on Sept. 30 marking Canada’s first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation inspired veterinary student Charlie Wyatt-Swain to plan an event at her own college.

WCVM remote clinic in Île-à-la-Crosse a community affair

Students and faculty from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), along with a team of veterinary volunteers, recently travelled to the northern village of Île-à-la-Crosse for a remote spay and neuter clinic.

Equine education series returns

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) is offering new equine education opportunities for both horse enthusiasts and veterinary professionals in 2021-22.

Two WCVM researchers join university's CAHS Fellows

Three University of Saskatchewan (USask) leaders and researchers — including two faculty members of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) — have been inducted as fellows into the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences (CAHS).

Remote veterinary clinics resume

Despite some challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) successfully resumed its annual remote veterinary clinics for northern Saskatchewan communities this spring.

LFCE to host field day in July

Planning for the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE) Summer Field Day presented by Canadian Western Agribition on July 20 is in full swing.

Clinical team maintains critical veterinary services

As the only 24-hour veterinary emergency and critical care service available in Saskatoon, the clinical team at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) cares for some of the most ill or injured animals in the area.

Graduate brings Indigenous perspective to the veterinary world

As Dr. Dayle Poitras-Oster begins her first career job, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) graduate is happy to return to the busy mixed animal practice in Drayton Valley, Alta., where she’d previously worked as a summer student.

WCVM Veterinary Medical Centre accepting emergency cases only

As of April 28, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Medical Centre (VMC) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is accepting emergency cases only for its small animal and large animal clinical services until further notice.

Hormone baseline for horses in the West

How do levels of insulin and other hormones in western Canadian horses compare to hormone levels measured in horses living in other parts of Canada and around the world?

Veterinary life on the road

Dr. Colton McAleer always wanted to follow in his family’s footsteps and have a career in the cattle industry. But after helping pull a calf during calving season one spring, he changed his mind and went to veterinary school.

Growing a practice in rural Saskatchewan

Jumping into ownership wasn’t the original plan that Dr. Zachary (Zach) Johnson had in mind when he was initially accepted into the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

University offers safe haven for sleeping bats

More than 600 bats are now hibernating and staying cozy at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) after being discovered by accident at a construction site in northwestern Saskatchewan.

Order of Canada bestowed on two USask alumni

Two members of the USask community — including a longtime supporter of the Western College of the Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) — are set to receive one of the country’s highest civilian honours by being appointed to the Order of Canada.

One lucky kitty

Eight months ago, luck had run out for a severely injured kitten found crawling outside a group home in Nipawin, Sask.

Windows into local waters

The wet sand squishes beneath my gumboots as I walk along a beach near Tofino, on the western edge of Vancouver Island, B.C. Last night’s storm has strewn bull kelp and broken shells across the beach. It has also landed a true ocean oddity: a mermaid’s purse.

Dowling masters the art of change

It may seem unusual to walk away questioning your own judgments and biases after a conversation with a veterinary pharmacologist, but this is exactly the type of deep thinking Dr. Trish Dowling inspires.

Partnership provides primary healthcare experience

WCVM student Jennifer Michaud was the first student to complete the Hill's Scholar program at Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), an external rotation available at the college's Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC).