Northern Ontario communities urgently need more veterinarians. The Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program (CDVMP) is a bold new solution. A partnership between Lakehead University and the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, the program will train 20 northern students each year to become licensed veterinarians.

Designed to serve rural, remote, and Indigenous communities, the program creates meaningful pathways for northern students to give back to their communities by improving animal health, supporting the agri-food sector, and strengthening animal welfare across the region — all while earning a fully accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree that incorporates hands-on, community-based learning.

About the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program

The CDVMP is Ontario’s first veterinary education expansion in a generation. Developed jointly by Lakehead University and the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College, the program is designed to train and retain veterinarians in northern Ontario. Each year, it will graduate 20 students who have deep ties to the North and a strong understanding of the region’s unique veterinary challenges.

Why northern veterinary training matters:

Many Northern Ontario communities lack access to routine and emergency animal care, affecting pet health, agriculture, and local economies. The Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program trains students from the north in the north, increasing the chances they’ll remain in the region, and strengthening local industries and community well-being.

Key Impact Areas:

• Agri-Food Sector: Support for over 3,800 agricultural jobs, many of which are hindered by a lack of veterinary access.
• Pet Care Access: Pet owners face limited or delayed care options.
• Public Health: Veterinary care improves zoonotic disease control and community safety.
• Indigenous Communities: Tailored training supports culturally appropriate care and Indigenous leadership in veterinary practice.

For students

Students are trained through a collaborative model, dividing their time between Lakehead University and the University of Guelph, and graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the University of Guelph.

Timeline

• Beginning in fall 2025, Northern Cohort students will complete the full four-year program at the University of Guelph.
• Starting in 2027, once Lakehead’s new educational facilities are complete, the Northern Cohort will begin the program in Thunder Bay and complete it in Guelph.

Admission requirements

Visit the University of Guelph’s website for admissions information under Northern Ontario Undergraduate Cohort.

Application process

Apply through the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph via OUAC, and select the “Northern Ontario Cohort” on your application.

Funding opportunities

The Government of Ontario’s Veterinary Incentive Program will encourage 100 recently graduated veterinarians to practice large animal veterinary medicine and work in underserved areas of the province to address critical skill and labour shortages. Each new graduate will be eligible to receive grants of up to $50,000 over five years for working in an underserved area and treating large animals.

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