NEW MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR VETERINARY STUDENTS

Released on November 21, 2002

A new mentorship program, jointly sponsored by the provincial government

and the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, will place 10

qualifying students in rural livestock or mixed animal veterinary practices

across Saskatchewan next summer.



Deputy Premier and Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

Minister Clay Serby announced the program and made a $50,000 cheque

presentation to the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.



"The province needs veterinarians working in the food animal sector in

rural Saskatchewan, and this funding will increase the retention rate of

graduate veterinarians working in rural livestock or mixed animal

practices," Serby said. "The program will also introduce students to mixed

veterinary practice opportunities earlier in their educational program."



The mentorship opportunities will be given to Saskatchewan resident

students who will have completed their first or second year at the Western

College of Veterinary Medicine. Each participating veterinary practice

must commit to providing the student with a minimum of 14 weeks of broad-

based experience related to as many areas of livestock and agri-food

practice as possible.



"Veterinary practice owners have a huge stake in the outcome of this

program," President of the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association

Sandra Stephens said. "Hiring summer students and providing them with a

good experience is an investment. We hope this program will create a

future opportunity for practice owners to hire a professional who may want

to become a partner down the road."



The funding will allow the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association to

pay each mentorship student $6,000 for the 14-week program. Participating

veterinary practices will be required to compensate the mentorship student

by arranging and paying for living accommodations to a maximum of $400 per

month, as well as a wage of at least $500 per month.



Full program details will be available in early December 2002. For more

information contact Dr. Curt Hagele, D.V.M., Veterinary Registrar,

Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, phone (306) 955-7863.



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For more information, contact:



Patricia Alcorn

Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5389