The Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s student body is organized through the Western Canadian Veterinary Students’ Association (WCVSA). Its objectives are to:
Download a copy of the WCVSA constitution, amended April 2011 (173 KB)
The WCVSA oversees all of the student-related matters and is governed by an Executive Council that’s elected by the student body. Members of the WCVSA Executive Council are elected each spring and meet periodically at the request of the WCVSA president.
The current WCVSA president is Kathleen Bechler (2011-12). Please download the 2011-12 WCVSA Executive list (PDF 57 KB) to see the rest of the WCVSA executive members.
WCVM students are encouraged to attend and actively participate in the WCVSA general meetings that are held every three months. Become an active member of your association! Please download the 2011-12 list of WCVM club presidents and representatives (PDF 61 KB).
Bovine Club provides veterinary students with an opportunity to pursue and promote their interest in bovine practice. The club organizes a variety of activities including wet labs, monthly bovine rounds, field trips, seminars and guest speakers. The club also supports student members of the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP).
Business Management Club strives to provide students the tools and resources needed to succeed in the veterinary business profession after the completion of their veterinary degree. Educational speakers and materials in the areas of client development, legal, financial, human resources and practice management augment the medical knowledge obtained at the WCVM. Lunch and after-school seminars/workshops are held regularly, fostering relationships between students and business leaders throughout Western Canada.
Emergency and Critical Care Club: Members promote student participation and interest in veterinary emergency and critical care medicine through hands-on wet labs and small animal emergency teams, by providing information about further education and training, and by informing members about potential opportunities to gain work and volunteer experience. The club is a chapter of the Student Emergency and Critical Care Society (SVECCS).
Equine Club: Throughout the school year, club members offer equine wet labs, guest presentations and other activities that provide students with more insight into equine practice. As part of its community involvement, club members also organize an annual equine seminar day for local 4-H and Pony Club members. The WCVM Equine Club operates as a student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and has access to AAEP-supported resources and events.
Global Vets is a college-endorsed, student initiative that allows undergraduate veterinarians a unique opportunity to investigate international animal health care in the country or countries of their choice. Initiated in 2002, groups of second-year WCVM students have spent part of their summers in Peru, Africa, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Mongolia, India and Sri Lanka.
Medical Imaging Club provides students the opportunity to gain interpretive skills for radiology, as well as advanced imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Challenging and relevant clinical cases from all species are discussed in weekly, student-led rounds. This club also provides insight into career opportunities in the rapidly expanding field of veterinary medical imaging. Activities include weekly rounds (every Monday at lunch in Room 2104), wet labs, pizza lunch seminars and guest speakers.
Pain Management Club: Club members promote the consideration and treatment of pain in all veterinary patients based on new knowledge and research findings. Club activities include a nerve block lab (small and large animals), practical general anesthesia lab, small animal acupuncture lab, rehabilitation/physical therapy lab and lunch time talks in the areas of palliative care, humane euthanasia.
Pathology Club: As a student chapter of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, the WCVM Veterinary Pathology Club encourages student involvement in the field of veterinary pathology and introduces members to the diverse career opportunities available in the discipline.
Poultry Club: Members who are interested in domestic poultry production and medicine are exposed to poultry diagnostic pathology, educational lectures and tours of farms, processing units and hatcheries. This club welcomes members from the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture and Graduate Studies with the intent of promoting interdisciplinary communication and knowledge-sharing among those interested in poultry at the University of Saskatchewan.
Small Animal Club brings together students who are interested in practising companion animal medicine. The club strives to expand students' knowledge beyond the classroom through various club activities including lunch-time seminars on relevant and upcoming topics. Members also aim to gain hands-on experience through supplementary wet labs. The club provides leadership, mentorship and externship opportunities for students through its partnerships with the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association.
Swine Club: Students who are interested in swine practice learn from guest lecturers, wet labs, discussions and opportunities to meet swine veterinarians in the local area. Students are also members of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) and are encouraged to attend the annual AASV meeting and apply for annual scholarships.
Theriogenology Club: This student chapter of the Society for Theriogenologists helps to create more interest in the area of theriogenology, to emphasize the importance of the discipline, and to improve students’ skills in the area. The club’s activities and events help to create links between veterinary students and practising theriogenologists.
Vetavision: Entirely organized by WVCM veterinary students, this four-day public exposition is held every three years at the College (will be held next in the fall of 2012). The open house allows people of all ages to see a variety of displays, demonstrations and talks that showcase animal health care, research, veterinary careers and public health. Visit www.vetavision.ca for more information.
Vets for Humanity and Welfare Club: Members of this student-run organization help to educate and create more awareness of animal welfare issues among WCVM students and the public. The club organizes regular guest lectures, discussion groups, hands-on labs and other educational events. Groups represented in this club include Global Vets, Vets without Borders and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association-Rural Area Veterinary Services program (HSVMA-RAVS).
WEAMS: The Wild and Exotic Animal Medicine Society (WEAMS) is a non-profit organization that’s operated by student volunteers at the WCVM. When concerned citizens bring in ill or injured wildlife to WCVM’s Veterinary Medical Centre, WEAMS’ dedicated members work closely with supervising clinicians to provide care for these special patients. The goal is to fully rehabilitate all patients and to release them in their natural habitat. For more information, visit www.weams.usask.ca.
For more information on other U of S student organizations, visit Campus Clubs, Student Societies and Course Councils.
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