Lakehead University marked the ceremonial start of construction on a new facility for its collaborative doctor of veterinary medicine program June 23.
The Thunder Bay university hosted a ground blessing and celebrated program donors to kick off the build, which is expected to get underway this summer. The event coincided with an announcement from the provincial government of $2 million toward the project.
“The collaborative doctor of veterinary medicine program signifies something profoundly personal to northern communities — it’s about fairness, access, and addressing a critical issue,” Dr. Gillian Siddall, president and vice-chancellor of Lakehead University, said in a news release.
“We heard loud and clear from the North that more veterinarians should be trained where services are needed. Thanks to the Ontario government, our partners, donors, and supporters, we’re answering that call — not with a temporary solution, but with a legacy that will serve generations of people and animals across Northern Ontario.”
Developed in conjunction with the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, the program will welcome 20 students from Northern Ontario each year, and will incorporate Indigenous perspectives and approaches to animal care, in addition to experiential learning opportunities specific to northern practice.
The first two cohorts of students from Northern Ontario — in 2025 and 2026 — will complete the full program at the University of Guelph.
Starting in 2027, northern students will complete their first two years of studies in Thunder Bay before finishing their last two years in Guelph.
To accommodate the program, Lakehead is building a new, 25,833-square-foot facility, which is expected to be complete in 2027.
Designed by mcCallumSather, it has been given the name Gakina Awesiinyag, from the Anishinaabemowin language, translating to All Animals (Place For). It will include large and small animal housing and clinical skills training space.
Existing buildings will also be renovated to include anatomy/pathology and clinical skills labs, and other relevant training spaces.
To date, Lakehead and Guelph have raised $29 million toward the program. A list of donors and their contributions follows:
- Kim & Stu Lang: $10 million (announced on June 19);
- Government of Ontario: $14,780,000, including $4.5 million toward the Lakehead University construction project;
- Northern Ontario Heritage Fund: $2 million;
- The Paterson Foundation: $750,000;
- Ontario SPCA and Humane Society: $500,000;
- Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission: $500,000;
- John Andrews Foundation: $250,000;
- P3 Veterinary Partners: $100,000;
- Tamblyn Family Foundation: $100,000;
- Bruno's Contracting Ltd.: $50,000; and
- The Eric S. Margolis Foundation: $25,000.
Lakehead said it has set a philanthropic fundraising goal of $12.9 million (not including government funds), and has already reached 95 per cent of that goal. The remaining 5 per cent will be raised through a public, community-driven campaign, which will launch this fall.
