A new program aims to fill the gap left by retiring veterinarians in large or mixed animal practices.
Filling veterinary deserts
The majority of the 135 veterinary practices in Saskatchewan are centralized in or around urban centres. Over the past decade, 14 rural veterinary practices closed as older veterinarians retire. The trend is creating service gaps where the closest vet can be a two-hour drive away.
Beyond internship
Developed by the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, five third-year students from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon spent 14 weeks this summer in rural practices based in Lloydminster, North Battleford, Mankota, Melville and Ogema. Each student received $10,000 for their work. The SVMA and the participating veterinary clinic each paid 35 per cent with the remainder covered by the Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association.
"We hope this program will spark an interest and give opportunities for students to go to practices that are a little off the grid," says Lorraine Serhienko, the SVMA's administrative coordinator and spokesperson for the program.
The preceptorship program gives students an opportunity to learn on the job, according to Jasmine Paulson, who worked at the Deep South Animal Clinic at Ogema, about 120 kilometres south of Regina.
"On any given day, I could go from a small animal appointment, to seeing a bull in the clinic and a horse in between," Paulson says. "It was pretty diverse every day."
Paulson, who was raised on a backgrounding feedlot in southwest Saskatchewan, also developed more confidence interacting with clients.
"You are obviously working with animals, but you are kind of forming a team with your clients to solve problems and help their animals produce better or help their sick animals feel better."
More than a summer job
Calvin Gavelin farms at McCord, about 250 kilometres southwest of Regina and near the U.S. border. He worked with Emily Horan, a student who spent the summer at the Mankota Veterinary Clinic.
"She knew what she was talking about, very relaxed and super confident," Gavelin says.
Horan also developed a good relationship with the local veterinarian and was part of the community for the summer, attending events like the local rodeo.
"She got to feel that it was more than just a job," says Gavelin.
Rural veterinarians don't work traditional hours and tend to be more ingrained in the local community.
"You might be in the grocery store being asked questions about an animal," Serhienko says. "It's a little harder for a work-life balance in rural Saskatchewan, but the people who do it, absolutely love it and it is part of who they are."
Serhienko hopes to see the program expand by at least one student in 2019. She also expects additional applications from rural veterinarians now that the program is better known.
Serhienko says the program allows any veterinary student the opportunity to see if she or he likes working and living in a rural area. With that knowledge, they can develop a career plan.
Source : fcc