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– Eastern Ontario & Western Ontario Editions –
GUELPH – Nine Ontario veterinary medicine and veterinary technology students were announced as the first-ever recipients of a scholarship created by Ontario farmers to support the next generation of animal health professionals.
Each student received a $2,000 scholarship, thanks to the generous support of Ontario’s livestock commodity and industry partners to help address the growing shortage of large animal veterinarians across Ontario.
“One of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today — not just here in Ontario, but across Canada and around the world — is the shortage of veterinarians, particularly those who work with large animals,” said Drew Spoelstra, livestock farmer and president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. “Access to veterinary care is essential for livestock health, food safety, and farm productivity and we are proud to play a role in supporting students who will help meet these critical needs in the future.”
The new veterinary scholarship was announced by OFA earlier this year as a complement to existing awards the organization gives to undergraduate, postgraduate and apprenticeship students studying agriculture. In addition to the OFA, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Beef Farmers of Ontario, Veal Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Sheep Farmers and livestock genetics company EastGen have all provided financial support for the scholarship program.
“We are grateful to Ontario’s farming community for their leadership in supporting veterinary education. These scholarships not only recognize the talent and dedication of our students but also reinforce the vital connection between veterinary care and the health of Ontario’s livestock sector,” said Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel, Dean, Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). “By investing in the next generation of veterinarians, our agricultural partners are helping to ensure a strong, sustainable future for rural communities and food production across the province.”
The scholarship awards were presented during the OFA’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto.
Dairy Farmers of Ontario-sponsored recipients:
Alison Eyre, Athens ON (United Counties of Leeds and Grenville)
Alison Eyre grew up on a dairy farm in Eastern Ontario near Athens and, after completing her animal science degree at Guelph, is now in her first year at OVC. Following graduation, she intends to return to Eastern Ontario and specialize in large animal practice.
Lily Copp, Erin ON (Wellington County)
Lily Copp graduated from Guelph this spring with a degree in Animal Biology and is now in her first year at OVC. She works at Kitcholm Farms in Moffat and plans to work in dairy herd health after graduation.
Beef Farmers of Ontario-sponsored recipient:
Hope Grootenboer, Murillo ON (Thunder Bay District)
Hope Grootenboer grew up on a family dairy farm near Thunder Bay and, after graduating from Lakehead University, she is now in her first year at OVC as part of the new northern cohort. Her goal is to become a mixed animal veterinarian in the Thunder Bay area following graduation.
Veal Farmers of Ontario-sponsored recipient:
Erica Robertson, Kent Bridge ON (Chatham-Kent)
Erica Robertson is the sixth generation on her family farm near Ridgetown and gained early experience with cattle and poultry on her grandfather’s feedlot and pullet farm. Now in her final year of the veterinary medicine program at OVC, she is looking forward to a career focused on large animal medicine.
Ontario Sheep Farmers and EastGen co-sponsored recipient:
Samantha Dixon, New Hamburg ON (Waterloo Region)
Samantha Dixon is a second-year vet student at OVC, following completion of a master’s degree in animal breeding and genetics that focused on parasitic resistance in sheep. She is looking forward to using her sheep industry experience and passion for dairy calf health and herd management in her veterinary career.
2025 OFA Veterinary Technician Scholarship Recipients
Mavis Carberry, Guelph/Eramosa ON (Wellington County)
Mavis Carberry is in her second year of the veterinary technology program at Ridgetown. An active 4-H participant, she has interests in sheep, beekeeping, and rabbit husbandry.
Alexa Elford, Kimberley ON (Grey County)
Alexa Elford was raised on a beef farm in Kimberley and after several years of full-time work as a veterinary assistant, has just started in the vet tech program. She has long-time involvement with 4-H, has her own sheep flock and is building a Simmental herd with her fiancé.
Claire Koch, Baden ON (Waterloo Region)
Claire Koch was raised on a dairy farm near Baden. She is an active school and community volunteer, and as this year’s Wellesley Fall Fair Ambassador, is looking forward to visiting schools and talking to kids about agriculture.
Sidney Sicard, Markdale ON (Grey County)
Sidney Sicard is a competitive plower, community volunteer and 4-H participant. A former local Queen of the Furrow and 4-H Ontario ambassador, Sidney hopes to focus on improving genetics and herd efficiency as a vet tech.
© 2015 Farmers Forum Newspaper, serving Eastern Ontario and Western Ontario. Website maintained by Theresa Rudge.
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