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By Alice McFarlane

Rural Veterinary Services

Improving veterinary services in Saskatchewan

Apr 13, 2021 | 4:36 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — The Saskatchewan government is implementing a number of initiatives in an effort to enhance veterinary services in rural areas.

One option is virtual training for registered veterinary technologists and a loan forgiveness program for new graduates who practice in rural or remote areas.

Beginning this fall, students in the Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s two-year registered veterinary technologist program will be able to begin their studies remotely and complete the program at a partnering clinical practice with local veterinarians in rural areas.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic president and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said this action provides a timely solution to meet the needs of rural students and producers.

“We are pleased that, because of our history of successfully serving students, we have been asked to develop a remote-delivery program to train and hire locally registered veterinary technologists,” Rosia said in a news release.

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The Ministry of Advanced Education is providing $687,000 for the development and operating costs associated with the distance learning program.

The challenge of rural veterinary services has been a topic of discussion for many years by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association.

Chair Arnold Balicki said one action was the preceptorship partnership with Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association to help third-year students try out practices in rural Saskatchewan.

“The steps the government is taking today are very welcome in ensuring cattle producers have access to veterinary services across Saskatchewan, ” Balicki said. “This is so important to animal health and welfare and public good as our animal health status is connected to our overall health.”

The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) will secure three of its 20 seats for students who are more likely to work in a large animal or rural mixed animal practice.

WCVM interim dean Dr. Gillian Muir said there is high demand for the unique training and skills for veterinary graduates in rural settings.

“The provincial government’s move to target three rural-oriented seats will help encourage even more of our veterinary graduates to choose agriculture-focused veterinary careers,” Muir said.

Veterinarians and veterinary technologists who work in rural and remote communities for up to five years, will have up to $20,000 of their Saskatchewan Student Loan forgiven.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW