Discovering OVC

Interested in veterinary medicine? Want to learn more about the Ontario Veterinary College's programs and facilities? Visits to the college may be arranged for individuals, families or groups.

Prospective Students

Find out what the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) has to offer those with an enquiring mind. Tours of OVC designed for prospective applicants to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or OVC Graduate Studies Programs are offered by current DVM and graduate students, respectively. Due to biosecurity and confidentiality concerns, visitors to OVC are not permitted to 'wander around' or explore within the Veterinary Teaching Hospital without a guide.

Prospective applicants and their families may book a visit during the Fall and Winter semesters (September to April). These tours are usually held on Friday and begin at 12:30 pm (approximately 50 minutes in length). Evening, weekend and tours at other times outside the regular Friday tours are possible only if a tour guide is available. During the months of May to August, visits to OVC may be limited depending on tour guide availability.

Advance booking is required for all OVC Tours with at least two weeks notice. We also require extra notice for groups with more than 12 participants. Due to restrictions in the Teaching Hospital and during exam periods, we may not always be able to accommodate all requests. Due to hospital policy, we cannot have children under the age of 12 on tours (please see the Open Houses information below if you have children under the age of 12 years).

Please note that no taking of photographs is prermitted in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital or in areas where animal patients are present.

Special Interest or Other Groups

Occasionally individuals wish to explore specific aspects of the veterinary college, but may not actually be interested in applying to the college to study. These visits may be guided by students, faculty, alumni or other identified individuals depending on the focus of the visit. These kinds of visits must be requested a month in advance and are subject to guide availability. These visits may be subject to a fee.

How to Book a Tour

The following information is required for OVC Tour bookings:

1) Name of main contact and names of all tour participants

2) E-mail and telephone number, include a mobile telephone number if possible

3) Date requested (include 1-2 backup dates)

4) University level/program or High School grade level (if applicable)

5) Total number of participants

For OVC Tour reservations, please contact 519-824-4120 Ext. 54430 or email vetmed@uoguelph.ca.

Please note that Ontario Veterinary College Tours are restricted to participants 12 years of age and older.

University of Guelph Tours

Tours of the University's main campus are available through Admission Services. Click Campus Tours for reservation details.

For directions to the University of Guelph, please check the website for Directions to Guelph.

Directions to the Ontario Veterinary College

Regular OVC Tours begin from the OVC Main Building, located at the southwest corner of College Avenue and Gordon Street. Metered parking is available in Lot P25 adjacent to the OVC Lifetime Learning Centre or in the lot parallel to College Avenue adjacent to the Small Animal Clinic. The meters require a coin deposit of $2/hour.

Please visit our directions page for driving directions and maps.

Once parked, walk around to the front of the Main Building (facing Gordon), enter the double wooden doors and come up the stairs. You are now at the entrance of the OVC Learning Commons (library). Your guide will meet you here.

For larger groups including those arriving by charter bus, participants may be asked to come in the main doors of the Lifetime Learning Centre facing McGilvray Street at the southeast corner of OVC.

Enjoy your visit to the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph and City of Guelph!

Open Houses at the Ontario Veterinary College

If you have young children (or are especially young at heart) and wish to view the College, there is no better way to visit than during College Royal, the University of Guelph's annual March open house!

Exhibits at OVC during College Royal include Teddy Bear Surgery, the Anatomy Lab, Principles of Disease Display, Toxic Garden, Wild Bird Displays and much more!

We also offer tours as part of some of the open houses and events planned by the University of Guelph's admissions office. These events are a great way for High School students and their families to visit the campus and learn more about life as a University of Guelph student. For more details please click here.