More veterinarian school seats reserved for Nova Scotians starting this fall

The provincial government says eight more seats at the Atlantic Veterinary College will be set aside for Nova Scotians starting this fall.

The school, part of the University of Prince Edward Island, is increasing the number of seats reserved for first-year Nova Scotians from 16 to 24.

“Nova Scotia needs more veterinarians to care for our animals,” said Advanced Education minister Brian Wong in a news release. “We’ve had a positive partnership with the Atlantic Veterinary College for many years, and we’re looking to continue investing in the college to offer a high-quality education in veterinary medicine, while increasing the number of available seats to train the veterinarians Nova Scotia needs.”

As part of the five-year agreement between the province and the school, students will have to do at least six weeks of their clinical rotation in Nova Scotia and work three years in the province after graduating and being licensed.

The Atlantic Veterinary College is the only post-secondary institution that offers the doctor of veterinary medicine program in Atlantic Canada.