Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road, Guelph, ON, Canada, N1G 2W1
519.824.4120 x54401
©1998-2013 Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph
We have a new website.
Please learn about Becoming a Veterinarian at our new recruitment site:
www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/recruitment/
There are many exciting volunteer opportunities available to gain veterinary and animal experience. Some suggestions on places to start are:
The list of volunteer opportunities compiled below is by no means a comprehensive list, but should provide you with a good starting point for your first few volunteer experiences. Please be aware that demand for volunteer positions at OVC is very high and unfortunately we cannot accomodate everyone who wishes to volunteer.
NOTE: Experience working with animals and veterinarians is required for admission to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.
Requirements for all OVCTH volunteers:
Previous veterinary/animal handling experience is mandatory
All areas in the OVC Teaching Hospital (OVCTH) accepting volunteers require medical proof of rabies immunizations; a signed confidentiality form and a signed liability waiver.
All volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and registered students of the University of Guelph.
We cannot accept graduate veterinarians into the volunteer program.
Areas in the OVCTH the accept volunteers:
(Please note these are subject to charge)
1) Animal Housing Division
NB: Rabies vaccinations are mandatory
a. Small Animal Wards
Duties: Walking dogs and socializing teaching cats. Assisting Animal Housing and Ward staff.
Coveralls and scrubs supplied by the VTH.
b. Large Animal Wards
Duties: Assisting with feeding, mucking out, walking and grooming of teaching animals.
Requirements: Red Coveralls are provided and steel-toed footwear.
APPLICATION PROCESS
FALL SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Summer semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in September.
WINTER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Fall semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in January.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked in the fall semester.
SUMMER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Winter semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in May.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked the FALL or the WINTER semester.
2) Patient Services Division
NB: Rabies vaccinations are mandatory
In the Patient Services Division scheduled volunteer shifts are a minimum of 3 hrs.
a. Small Animal Surgery
Previous veterinary clinic experience is preferred.
Duties: Assigned by the Animal Health Technician and may include assisting with clean up, washing instruments, delivery and restocking of supplies.
Surgical scrubs are provided.
APPLICATION PROCESS
FALL SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Summer semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in September.
WINTER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Fall semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in January.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked in the fall semester.
SUMMER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Winter semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in May.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked the FALL or the WINTER semester.
b. Large Animal Wards
Duties: Walking, grooming and restraint of horses.
Requirements: Equine experience.
Coveralls will be supplied by the VTH. You will need your own steel-toed boots or shoes (green or white label).
APPLICATION PROCESS
FALL SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Summer semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in September.
WINTER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Fall semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in January.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked in the fall semester.
SUMMER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Winter semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in May.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked the FALL or the WINTER semester.
c. Large Animal Surgery
Duties: Assisting to position animals, set up for surgical cases, washing instruments, assisting with clean up, delivery and restocking of supplies.
Requirements: Previous veterinary clinic experience and previous experience handling large animals is required.
Surgical scrubs will be supplied by the VTH. You will need your own steel-toed boots or shoes (green or white label).
APPLICATION PROCESS
FALL SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Summer semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in September.
WINTER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Fall semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in January.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked in the fall semester.
SUMMER SEMESTER:
Applications are accepted during the Winter semester exam period or until such time as all available positions are filled.
Contact Catherine Ollerhead-DeSantis, Volunteer Coordinator, by email at collerhe@uoguelph.ca for further application information
Orientation Days are scheduled in May.
Preference is given to volunteers who have worked the FALL or the WINTER semester.
d. Foal Watch
Foal Watch is a program run by the Teaching Hospital (OVCTH) and provides a service to clients who bring in premature and critically ill neonatal foals. Participants in the Foal Watch program may include students from across campus and the community. This around the clock care ensures that the foal receives the most comprehensive care possible, and helps them get through the most critical of times. The Foal Watch program typically runs from January to June, coinciding with the North American foaling season.
See the Foal Watch web page for more details about volunteering and contact information.
To find out more about the University of Guelph's Animal Care Services and their dog, cat, rabbit, guinea pig and rat volunteer programs contact them at 519- 824-4120 Ext. 54311. You can also go to their volunteer webpage.
Equine Guelph - EquiMania! Youth Program
To find out more about volunteering to teach youth about horse health and safety at Equine Guelph's special event youth program EquiMania! contact them at 519- 824-4120 Ext. 54205. You can also go to their EquiMania! program webpage.
To locate veterinary clinics in your area, use the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) website. Be sure to ask the clinics that you contact if you need medical proof of rabies immunizations, special equipment (i.e. scrubs, coveralls, steel-toed boots, etc.), or if there are any age restrictions.
Note: The Ontario Veterinary College cannot guarantee that the clinics you contact will have volunteer positions available.