OVC Pet Trust

06/15/2026

This past Friday, OVC celebrated the Turquoise Tigers at Convocation. The celebration included the recitation of the Veterinarian's Oath, student and faculty awards, a tribute to the Honorary Class Presidents and a valedictory address from Dr.
Dakota Lee.

As they leave OVC, members of the Class of 2026 are beginning the next chapter of their careers, pursuing the many paths the veterinary industry has to offer.

Congratulations to the Turquoise Tigers from the OVC Pet Trust Team!

To read more about convocation and hear reflections from members of the graduating class, read here: https://www.uoguelph.ca/ovc/news/2026/06/ovc-celebrates-dvm-class-2026-convocation

06/15/2026

Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we welcome Dr. Julia Montgomery as the 12th dean of the Ontario Veterinary College. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Montgomery to OVC and the University of Guelph community.

06/11/2026

06/08/2026

What is the human-animal bond?

’s Dr. Shannon Gowland says it is a privilege to witness the bond between pets and their humans in her role as a veterinarian.

Did you know? OVC Pet Trust’s Pet Loss Support Resource Centre includes guidance from industry experts in a video library on topics including:

• The human-animal bond
• Grief before loss
• Helping children with pet loss
• End-of-life decisions
• Grief after loss
• Memorialization and aftercare
• Veterinary insights

Visit our website to explore the new expert interview video library: https://pettrust.ca/pet-loss-support/expert-interview-library/

05/20/2026

Happy — a day that traces back to 1747, when a Scottish naval surgeon launched what is widely considered the world’s first clinical trial while looking for a cure for scurvy. Today, we recognize the researchers, clinicians and participants whose contributions continue to advance medical science and improve patient care around the world.

Did you know? Veterinary clinical trials allow discovery of new and improved ways to prevent disease and diagnose or treat existing and future patients in all specialties of veterinary medicine. They also have a significant impact on human health research.

Companion animals, including pet dogs and cats, share many diseases and disorders with humans, including cancers and cardiac diseases. Additionally, our pets have huge genetic diversity, and live in the same shared, complex environment with us. Therefore, naturally occurring diseases in companion animals present an almost perfect model—and a largely untapped opportunity—for the development of new disease treatments. While some clinical trials are designed specifically to improve veterinary health, translational clinical trials are also designed as an intermediate step to inform the design of human clinical trials. OVC and the University of Guelph is a hub for translational research in Canada.

Large animal clinical trials are also driving innovation in translational medicine. Equine athletes naturally develop osteoarthritis and tendon injuries that closely mirror injuries seen in human athletes, making horses an incredible model for advancing regenerative medicine. At OVC and the University of Guelph, clinical trials in client-owned horses are helping evaluate cutting-edge biologic and cell-based therapies aimed at improving recovery and performance in veterinary patients—while also generating knowledge that may shape the future of treatments in human sports medicine and orthopedics.

Thank you to all our patients and their families who choose to give back to science and discovery by participating in clinical trials at OVC!

Learn more about our work and the studies we are actively recruiting for on our website: https://ovcclinicaltrials.uoguelph.ca.

OVC Veterinary Clinical Trials

04/29/2026

Double your impact: OVC Pet Trust donors Llewellyn and Susan Smith will match all gifts to OVC's campaign to build a new Medical and Surgical Learning Centre (MSLC) to a total of $750,000.

Read more about why the Smith's choose to support building world-class facilities for veterinary care and for training the healers of tomorrow.

Donors Llewellyn and Susan Smith will match all gifts to OVC's Medical and Surgical Learning Centre (MSLC) to a total of $750,000.

08/12/2025

How well veterinary teams work together matters — for staff, clients and animals.

A new study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association - JAVMA highlights the critical role of teamwork in veterinary practices. Led by Dr. Natasha Janke and Dr. Jason Coe, who is VCA Canada Chair in Relationship-Centred Veterinary Medicine, this research marks the first time relational coordination has been measured in the veterinary field. 🤝

The findings? Stronger communication, shared goals and mutual respect are linked to healthier workplace culture, higher job satisfaction and reduced staff turnover.

"This really matters," says Coe. "How well veterinary teams work together directly impacts the well-being of people and the care they deliver."

Learn more and listen to Drs. Janke and Coe on the Veterinary Vertex Podcast: https://uoguel.ph/f8ahe 🔍🎧

VCA Canada