The Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan earned approval following an extensive review.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council of Education spent a full week in Saskatoon last October.

“They toured every nook and cranny of the college,” said WCVM Dean Douglas Freeman. “They meet with groups of faculty, students, partner and administrators on campus.”

The AVMA council accreditation is granted for seven years and assures veterinary colleges meet or exceed minimum standards. It assesses veterinary schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia.

The AVMA council report also mentioned the Alberta government’s decision not to renew its participation in the WCVM’s four-province funding agreement after 2020.

It will gradually withdraw $8 million in annual funding to the WCVM and direct the money to the veterinary school at the University of Calgary.

The AVMA council will require regular updates on the status of the interprovincial partnership and college funding.

“It’s worrisome when a veterinary college loses a quarter of its annual operating base,” Freeman said. “But we are working within the college and with regional partnership to address this challenge with creative solutions.”

Freeman is excited about partnering with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture and several producer groups in creating the new Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence.

WCVM has 320 veterinary students in its four year program, with another 150 graduate students.