Sudbury SPCA moves to Collège Boréal

Three years ago, when Collège Boréal was exploring the introduction of a veterinary technician program, the college approached the Ontario SPCA Sudbury and District about a possible partnership.

An agreement was signed, and starting in the winter of 2013, animals taken in by the local SPCA were first looked after at Boréal.

The animals are spayed and neutered and given other medical care by the veterinarians who teach in the program, with veterinary technician students assisting their professors in these tasks whenever possible, giving them valueable experience.

For its part, the Ontario SPCA Sudbury and District benefits by receiving low-cost veterinary care for its animals.

Starting in December, however, the partnership between Boréal's veterinary technician program and the animal rescue organization deepened when the Sudbury SPCA moved into a new space at the college's Sudbury campus.

The grand opening was held at Boréal Jan. 23.

Located in a retrofitted former shipping area at the college, the new space is better designed than the agency's former premises at a Notre Dame Avenue strip mall, said Rob Kaelas, northern district manager of the Ontario SPCA.

While it's now in a more out-of-the-way location than it used to be, Kaelas said the shelter still has plenty of visits from members of the public.

It has its own entrance, separate from the college's, but it's also conveniently located across the hall from where the veterinarian technician students attend class and care for animals being prepared for adoption.

He said he loves seeing the students taking the dogs out for walks, and caring for them as if they were their own pets. “It's beneficial to everybody,” Kaelas said.

Kim Morris, dean of Boréal's school of health sciences, said she has a lot of ideas for the future of the partnership with the Sudbury SPCA.

These ideas include Boréal students doing internships at SPCA branches across the province and including the students in fundraising for the agency. She also wants to start an animal protection officer program at the college.

“This is just the beginning,” she said.

“We're thrilled ... A lot of times you hear about organizations working in silos. We're showing that we can break down those walls and cohabitate for the betterment of animal welfare and student learning.”

Stephanie Morin, a second-year Boréal veterinarian technician student, said she loves the idea that thanks to the partnership with the Sudbury SPCA, she's helping animals in need while still in school.

“To see animal come in, and sometimes they're not in the best condition, and they leave in amazing condition ... it's very, very rewarding for sure,” she said.

The Sudbury SPCA is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and is closed on Sundays. Phone 705-566-9582 or visit www.sudbury.ontariospca.ca.