Award-winning students represent future of animal care in North

Two Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) veterinary students from Canada’s North have received scholarships from Veterinarians Without Borders-Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Canada (VWB/VSF).

Art exhibition springs from USask dog-human relationship research

An art exhibition featuring representations of the bond between dogs and humans, and based on work led by a University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher, will be unveiled at Wanuskewin before touring the province for two years.

Partnership will expand USask veterinary outreach program’s impact

A new funding partnership with PetSmart Charities of Canada will help a University of Saskatchewan (USask) veterinary outreach program expand its impact in northern Saskatchewan communities where animal owners have little or no access to animal health services.

SHRF supports USask study targeting dog-human interactions in remote communities

Over $149,000 in funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF) is helping University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers from multiple disciplines provide support to Saskatchewan communities that are experiencing challenges with dogs.

Northern veterinary students earn $10,000 scholarships

Two Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) students from Canada’s North have each received $10,000 scholarships from Veterinarians Without Borders-Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Canada (VWB/VSF).

Award-winning Indigenous artist donates bison artwork to USask

Award-winning Siksika artist Adrian Stimson (MFA’06) is gifting artwork to the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

ATIM MASKIHKIY exhibit shares ‘dog medicine’ with community

Veterinary researcher Dr. Jordan Woodsworth (DVM) has taken a novel approach to presenting her research findings — engaging with the communities she’s working with through art.

Veterinarians and students team up to support community health  

Veterinarian Dr. Dayle Borchardt (DVM) has seen firsthand how pet ownership can change lives. 

New project has big impact on bison genome biobank’s development at USask

Researchers’ aim of developing the world’s first bison genome biobank at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) received a critical boost on July 14 with Genome Canada’s funding announcement of $5.1 million for the Bison Integrated Genomics (BIG) project.

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 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).

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).

Vet student’s future compass points North

Tannicka Reeves was 12 years old when she finally convinced her mom that they needed a dog. Little did she know that raising and caring for their new pup Koeda would be a life-changing experience.

A day in the life: working in bison reproduction

As the sun rises, Eric and Miranda Zwiefelhofer gear up for another exciting day of work.

USask researcher links climate change and disease prevalence in Arctic

University of Saskatchewan (USask) PhD candidate Kayla Buhler has spent her academic career in the sky and on the ground of the Canadian Arctic, examining how infectious diseases are transmitted through the interactions of wildlife with their environment.

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.

Bison calves leading the way to biobank creation

The wood and plains bison are majestic creatures weighing 1,200 pounds, but their conservation could depend on single-celled gametes (reproductive cells) that are measured in microns.

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.

USask awarded $6.76M to conserve bison, boost cattle production

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has received $6.76 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to help conserve bison and other threatened animal species and to address challenges facing the beef cattle industry—including antimicrobial resistance.

WCVM student honoured at Indigenous awards event

Veterinary student Hope Skorlatowski was recognized for her academic achievements during the University of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Student Awards on Feb. 4.

Study credits herd immunity for stopping avian cholera among sea ducks

New research published in Scientific Reports shows that herd immunity was instrumental in stopping avian cholera from infecting and destroying a population of Arctic-nesting sea ducks in Canada’s North.

New USask research helps rescue threatened bison

Fast like the wind, baby bison Skeeter happily runs to his mum across the pastures of USask's Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (LFCE).

Polar disease research merits award

Insects are a great resource in learning how climate change affects diseases that are transmitted in the Arctic, which is warming at two to three times faster than other parts of the world.

In vitro fertilization successful with baby bison

It’s a rare privilege to welcome newborn bison calves into the world. It’s even more rare when those calves are the fruit of your labour.

A voice for Indigenous students

As the second-ever Indigenous student representative on the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's student association, Olivia Rad has dedicated her time to creating learning opportunities and events for the entire college.

Blanket exercise builds understanding at the WCVM

Two hours can make a big difference in one’s understanding of the role all Canadians play in building reconciliation with Indigenous people in Canada.

‘Why wait?’ researchers work toward bison biobank

The day begins beautifully. The sun is shining and the vivid blue sky stretches out over the never-ending prairies. I’m at the Native Hoofstock Centre — part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence (Goodale Farm). Believe it or not, I’m helping to shift a sedated, 550-kilogram bison cow into a better position to collect her eggs (oocytes).

‘Mom, the Vet’

First-year veterinary student Charlene (Charlie) Swain grew up in a family that surrounded themselves with animals, so a job with Fort McMurray’s SPCA seemed like a good fit for her after high school.

Small, deadly parasite emerging in Canada’s North

Harsh terrain and brutally cold temperatures are not the only dilemmas Arctic dwellers face.