Veterinary Student Placement Program

Who can apply

Students can apply if they:

1. are a permanent resident of Nova Scotia
2. have completed their first year of study at Atlantic Veterinary College
3. have completed the required training courses
4. If positions are not filled, Nova Scotia students attending other veterinary colleges or Atlantic Veterinary College students from outside Nova Scotia will be considered.

Farms can apply if they:

1. have a current farm registration with the Department of Agriculture
2. are at least 19 years old
3. work with a veterinary practice

Veterinary practices can apply if they:

1. have a registered business
2. participate in the Livestock Health Services Program
3. work with food animals
4. Post-secondary students

• Registered Farms

1. Mi’kmaq conducting farming activities in Mi’kmaw communities

• Veterinary clinics Program Criteria Post-secondary students must:

1. be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

• be a resident of Nova Scotia

1. be enrolled in an accredited veterinary medicine program
2. have an updated and current resume

Students will be required to complete the following training prior to beginning employment:

• Emergency First Aid • Safe Animal Handling* • So Your Client is a Farmer
• WHMIS
• Tractor and Farm Machinery Awareness • Introduction to Farm Safety *If you have received this training through your educational degree, you are not required to take it again.

Note: Training course fees will be covered. Training is offered through the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and Farm Safety NS.

Farms must:

1. be currently registered under the Farm Registration Act.
2. be actively farming in the program year and applicant must be 19 years of age or older.
3. generate an annual eligible gross farming income of $30,000 or more. The eligible farming

income will be based on the Farm Registration income level.

1. be able to provide a minimum of 60% of the student workload directly in animal husbandry.
2. not have an immediate family or business relationship with the student other than

employer.

1. have Workers’ Compensation Board or private workplace injury coverage (Proof

required).

1. have an active Veterinary relationship; and
2. complete the training, “Guide to Hosting an Intern” (Nova Scotia Federation of

Agriculture).

Veterinary Practices must:

1. participate in the Livestock Health Services program.
2. be able to provide a minimum of 60% of student time working with livestock as

designated in "Designation of Livestock for Farming Purposes".

1. cooperate with other practices to meet this requirement if necessary and/or students

may participate in external learning experiences to allow for varied experiences with different types of livestock, industry, or different aspects of veterinary practice (ex. aquaculture veterinary medicine, animal pathology lab, meat inspection).

1. have arm’s length relationship from the student.
2. have Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) or private workplace injury coverage (Proof

required); and complete the training, “Guide to Hosting an Intern” (Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture).

Requirements

This is a two-phase program of 14 weeks per year. Students may participate in the first or both years.

1. Students should seek out their own place of employment and ensure that the employer also

applies to the program. Where this is not possible, Programs will seek to match students with employers but the program does not guarantee matching.

1. Year 1 students must complete 2 weeks of volunteer work at a veterinary practice. Students

are strongly encouraged to choose a remote veterinary practice and may be eligible for up to $1,000 in support for travel and accommodation expenses. Eligibility of remote practices and estimated expenses must be approved by Programs in advance.

1. Students and employers are to have a meeting prior to the start of work.
2. Students and employers are required to create a project plan at the beginning of employment.

If this is not the first time the student has worked with their employer, the project plan should identify new learning opportunities for the proposed placement.

1. Employers must provide at least 12 weeks at 40 hrs/week of paid employment within the

program activity period.

1. Employers are expected to pay students the current Nova Scotia minimum wage rate for

40hr/week, for 12 weeks. Standard deductions must be made from students’ gross wages.

WCB or private workplace injury coverage is mandatory.

1. Disability and other insurance are the responsibility of the student.
2. Students are required to submit 3 reports on activities over the summer (June 15, July 15,

and program end). After reports are received, a check-in with the Program committee will be completed. The final report must be received before the bursary is awarded.

Phase 1 / Year 1

1. Nova Scotia students who are projected to complete their first year of study at the Atlantic

Veterinary College (AVC) in April 2026. If positions are not filled, consideration will be given to Nova Scotia students at other veterinary colleges or AVC students from other provinces.

1. Students must volunteer for an additional 2 weeks at a veterinary practice. This can be at

any time during the summer with agreement from the farm employer and veterinary practice. Practices must be approved by the Program committee.

1. Farms are required to submit a final report at the end of the Program year and participate

in mid-point check-ins with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

Phase 2 / Year 2

1. Nova Scotia students who have completed Year 1 of the Program and are

projected to complete their second year of study at the Atlantic Veterinary College in April 2026. If positions are not filled, consideration will be given to NS students at other veterinary colleges or AVC students from other provinces and/or students who have not completed the first year of the program but can demonstrate equivalent experience.

1. Students must volunteer for an additional 2 weeks at an learning experience

external to the vet practice. This can be at any time during the summer with agreement from the external site and veterinary practice. External experiences must be approved by the Program committee.

1. Veterinary clinics are required to submit a final report at the end of the Program

year and participate in any check-ins with the Program committee.