Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel, dean of U of G’s Ontario Veterinary College, spoke to the Ottawa Citizen about the shortage of veterinarians in Canada as well as the pressures that overworked vets are under.

Veterinarians are under constant pressure to do more for less, Wichtel said, adding the pandemic has increased this pressure with more families acquiring pets and many vets needing to reduce hours because of lockdowns and labour shortages.

OVC accepts 120 students every year, among the highest in the North America, Wichtel said, adding solutions to the crisis in veterinary medicine will take time.