Cattlemen’s Report validates veterinary school

It’s a topic that has been a cause celeb for both the Regional Districts of Bulkley Nechako and Fraser Fort George. “When you look at the shortage of veterinarians overall and large animals in particular, we’re talking maybe 250 to 300 vets that work on large animals, either partially or completely,” explains Lara Beckett, Board Chair of the Fraser-Fort George Regional District. “And of those compared to the Lower Mainland, they’re probably dealing with two and a half to three times as many animals per vet in the north,”

Beckett says the lack of vets hits the economics in a bad way, which ultimately impacts things like food supply.

“So what producers, they need something called a vet relationship. The vet needs to know their operation and they can’t get antibiotics without that. You know, vets, they’re so busy that come calving season right now or, you know in the last few weeks and the next few if you don’t have a vet and you get in trouble, that’s a huge impact.”

Both Regional Districts are pursuing a veterinary school at the University of Northern BC and a tech certificate program at the College of New Caledonia. Lara Beckett says this report only adds to the case.

“So if we can have more techs, that helps every single vet that’s already here to support them in the number of animals they can see. The other thing is, you know, we’ve been working with U.N., B.C.. They’re exploring sort of every possible option of what medical training for veterinarians would look like, including partnerships with other province and sort of that that discussion is ongoing.”

However, Beckett does applaud the Province financing the additional twenty seats for BC students … bringing the total of subsidized seating to forty … at the Western College Of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan.

by Cheryl Jahn

Cattlemen’s Report validates veterinary school

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