Vet Med students embrace community learning with the Canadian Animal Task Force

Bad weather was no match for the dedication of University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) students and graduates eager to start something extraordinary. As they geared up for the Canadian Animal Task Force’s (CATF) first spay/neuter clinic of the season this April, the energy was palpable. 

Over the course of the three-day weekend, hundreds of pets and community animals in a remote Indigenous community received essential spay/neuters, vaccines, and parasite and wellness treatments. 

The Canadian Animal Task Force (formerly the Alberta Spay Neuter Task Force) thrives on the spirit of reciprocity through community collaboration and experiential learning – and they are happy to bring in the future generation of UCVM Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) graduates. 

This volunteer-driven charity provides crucial on-site veterinary clinics to remote Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Alberta. Not only do they provide needed services in areas with limited or no access to veterinary care, but they also provide an environment to train future veterinarians.

Clinics provide invaluable learning opportunities 

For DVM students, participating in CATF clinics is an invaluable educational experience, applying academic knowledge in real-world settings, learning the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness, while engaging with varying cultural, geographical, and economic realities. 

By engaging with remote communities, future veterinarians are able to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of different diverse perspectives on animal care and wellbeing.

Megan Wirachowsky, a DVM student, shares how her volunteer experience with CATF resonates with her childhood. "Growing up in remote Yukon communities, my early encounters with free-roaming dogs made a lasting impact on me,” says Wirachowsky, having witnessed the challenges of access to limited veterinary care to help with population management. “This experience motivated me to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.”

An inclusive and compassionate approach

Recognizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and respecting diverse viewpoints, CATF integrates these values into their mission, ensuring that their approach is both inclusive and compassionate. 

Sophia Kontou, another DVM student and CATF volunteer, highlights the sensitive and respectful tone that CATF shares with their community partners. “The organizers of the clinics have a fantastic working relationship with the communities and ensure the work they do is respectful and trustworthy. Beyond that, I find it inspiring how they provide high quality, contextualized care in the face of limited resources. As a student, it becomes a great learning opportunity for how to practice good veterinary care.”

While the respect for diversity is a valuable learning experience for the students, the tactical, hands-on learning is unparalleled. 

“Of course I may be exaggerating this story in my mind, but I swear he [the attending veterinarian] completed a cat neuter before I finished recording the first set of monitoring parameters. He demonstrated incredible skill and proficiency, all while encouraging me to pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian,” says volunteer and UCVM graduate, Dr. Caroline Beninger, DVM.

A place of learning and meaningful contribution

The clinics, which run monthly throughout the spring, summer, and fall, create a vibrant hub of activity, offering volunteers a buffet of roles such as reception, surgical recovery, animal handling, and community outreach. 

The charity brings warmth and camaraderie to every community they visit. DVM student Deanna Minken, introduced to the task force by her friend and fellow classmate Danielle Barry, finds a community here. "It's a place of learning and meaningful contribution, fostering an environment of support and respect for animals."

Fellow volunteer and DVM student Morgan Mclean echoes Minken’s sentiment. “Through these incredible clinics, I’ve gained just as much as I’ve given. The experience has inspired me and taught me valuable communication skills, empathy, and resiliency as I’ve listened to the stories of volunteers, community members, and veterinarians.”

For Mclean, it’s not only about learning and community building. She highlights how lucky she feels to have been able to bring her mother and sister to ‘tag along to a few clinics as well’.

The warmth and camaraderie of the environment shines through when speaking with volunteer and DVM student Filip Rakic. "My classmates introduced me to CATF in my first year of the DVM program, and I've been hooked ever since! Volunteering here has inspired me to be a community-focused vet, and I can't wait to give back once I'm licensed."

Committed to affordable and accessible veterinary care

As connections grow, unmet needs come to life. Despite huge successes with the on-site spay/neuter clinics, veterinarians across Alberta are still highlighting the need for more accessible veterinary care throughout the province. Not only in relation to access to a clinic, but in resources to affordable services.

Danielle Barry, who has been volunteering with CATF since 2014 has seen the organization grow and the need for accessible care firsthand herself. 

“Working in veterinary medicine, it is so clear that support like CATF is needed in every community right now. I’m so excited that they have been able to open a veterinary hospital for year-round care outside of clinic season.”

The Task Force Animal Hospital is Calgary’s first not-for-profit, full service, veterinary clinic supported by donations. Despite pet owners’ deep commitment, rising costs across the country have made essential care for their companion animals unaffordable for many.

“Every day our team hears stories from animal guardians who are struggling to provide basic veterinary care and this issue has reached a crisis point,” says RJ Bailot, Executive Director at CATF. 

With a mission to keep companion animals and their families united, the Task Force Animal Hospital will provide affordable, high quality and accessible veterinary care for people facing hardships. The hospital has an easy to access online application where people can easily find out if they qualify for services.

'Students are indispensable'

Bailot’s enthusiasm for the collaboration between students and the charitable work radiates from him. “The students are indispensable to what we do, there’s no way we could help the amount of animals that we do without them. It’s also invaluable to veterinary learning to gain experience with clients of all walks of life, from the community animals who may not have one specific owner, to the pampered house pooch.”

Wirachowsky sums up the collaboration between UCVM and CATF perfectly. ”It's a vision of a more equitable veterinary future."

Want to join the mission? 

Whether you're looking to volunteer or donate, CATF welcomes you with open arms. No veterinary experience is required, just a passion for making a difference. Visit the CATF website to learn more, and maybe we'll see you at a future clinic - whether under a blanket of snow or the summer sun - we can start something amazing together!