A Thunder Bay student is the inaugural recipient of a new scholarship aimed at mitigating the shortage of large-animal veterinarians in the province.
Hope Grootenboer, who is currently in her first year of veterinary studies at the Ontario Veterinary College, has received a $2,000 scholarship sponsored by the Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO).
It’s one of several new scholarships introduced earlier this year by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture to support students in agriculture-related fields.
The initiative is supported by a number of industry partners, including BFO, Dairy Farmers of Ontario, Veal Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Sheep Farmers, and EastGen.
Grootenboer grew up on her family’s dairy farm in Murillo, west of Thunder Bay, and completed her undergraduate studies at Lakehead University.
She started her first year at the Ontario Veterinary College this year as part of the inaugural Northern Ontario cohort.
Upon graduation, Grootenboer plans to return to Thunder Bay to pursue a mixed-animal veterinary career.
“Large animal veterinarians and veterinary technicians are essential to the success of Ontario’s livestock industry. Their expertise safeguards animal health, supports food security, and strengthens rural communities,” Craig McLaughlin, president of the Beef Farmers of Ontario, said in a news release.
“Continued investment in veterinary care and services is essential to ensure the long-term health and productivity of our herds and the resilience of Ontario’s beef sector.”
Ontario’s growing shortage of large-animal veterinarians is well documented, with some producers suggesting they would leave the livestock industry if the situation doesn’t improve.
The 2023 approval of the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program — a joint initiative of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and the University of Guelph — marks the first expansion to veterinary training in Ontario in 30 years.
Grootenboer and other award recipients were acknowledged during the Ontario Federation of Agriculture’s annual general meeting held Nov. 25-26 in Toronto.
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