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BACKGROUND
Global Vets is a program at the Ontario Veterinary College which offers student veterinarians a unique opportunity to investigate animal health care in developing countries. The program was started in 1997 by two second year students, and is based on a program called Defi Vet-Monde at the Faculte de medecine veterinaire at the University of Montreal.

The pilot project took place in the summer of 1998, allowing two students from the Ontario Veterinary College to travel to India and volunteer with various animal health professionals. Upon their return, they shared their experience with the University of Guelph community and the animal health industry throughout Canada.

PHILOSOPHY
Global Vets was formed to promote international collaboration on animal health and welfare, agricultural development and ecosystem health. The program strives to enhance working relationships and the exchange of ideas between Canadian veterinarians and their colleagues in developing regions of the world.

PARTICIPANTS
Proposals to visit specific countries are written by students in the fall of their second year of the DVM program. A selection committee comprised of faculty and Global Vets Alumni evaluates the proposals and assists the selected teams in creating feasible projects. With the help of this committee and Global Vets alumni, the participants are responsible for developing an itinerary for the following summer, making contacts in their host country, raising sponsorship and awareness for their project and sharing information upon their return to Canada. This team is also involved in advising students who will represent Global Vets the following year.

FUNDRAISING
The success of this program is made possible by the generous financial support of corporate and private sponsors. Companies with a vested interest in the animal health industry, as well as those with an interest in international relations, education of students and volunteer endeavors are instrumental in the continuation of this program.

SPONSORSHIP
Companies that sponsor Global Vets receive exposure both in Canada and internationally through presentations at conferences, printed material, this web site, and personal exchanges.

FACULTY ADVISORS
Dr. Andrew Peregrine (aperegri@ovc.uoguelph.ca)
Dr. Dale Smith (dalesmit@ovc.uoguelph.ca)
Dr. David Waltner-Toews (dwaltner@ovc.uoguelph.ca)