Skip to main content
As the year comes to an end, I want to congratulate everyone on completing another milestone toward becoming a veterinarian.
Veterinary school is no easy feat, yet each of you has persevered through another challenge along the journey. Whether this was your first year or your final year, your dedication, resilience, and commitment to the profession deserve recognition.
A special note to the Class of 2026 as you prepare to enter your professional careers: you are stepping into a profession filled with endless opportunities to learn, grow, advocate, and make a difference. The future of veterinary medicine is bright because of passionate and driven individuals like you, and I wish each of you the greatest success and fulfillment in your careers ahead.
This has been another successful year for the SCVMA. Across the country, our senior representatives demonstrated exceptional leadership in representing the CVMA and veterinary students within their colleges, while also mentoring and collaborating with our junior representatives to strengthen the organization for years to come. Together, we hosted the CVMA Meet & Greet and One Voice Presentation and Hot Topic events that included meaningful discussions surrounding the spectrum of care in veterinary medicine — conversations that continue to shape the future of our profession.
This year, the Atlantic Veterinary College hosted an incredible Leadership Workshop, and the Ontario Veterinary College organized an exceptional Symposium that brought students together from across Canada to learn, collaborate, and connect. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our representatives.
I would like to extend a sincere thank you to our senior representatives: Shelby Jennings (UCVM), Sara Puligandla (FMV), Cassandra Stewart (OVC) and Katelyn Visser (AVC). Your professionalism, leadership, and advocacy for veterinary students have left a lasting impact on the SCVMA this year.
I also want to recognize our junior representatives: Jin Cho (UCVM), Maria Gorelik (FMV), Megan Guptill (AVC), Emma Jessop (OVC) and Arisia Swystun (WCVM). Thank you for your enthusiasm, initiative, and continued commitment to supporting veterinary students across the country. The future of the SCVMA is incredibly bright because of leaders like you.
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, the SCVMA would not be what it is without the guidance and unwavering support of Janie Racette (CVMA). Janie continually goes above and beyond to ensure that students are supported, heard, and given every opportunity to succeed. Her mentorship, encouragement, and dedication to veterinary students have had an immeasurable impact on all of us, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her guidance.
Serving on the CVMA as a student voice has been both an honour and an incredible learning opportunity. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of working alongside passionate student leaders, veterinarians, and advocates who care deeply about the future of our profession. This experience has strengthened my appreciation for organized veterinary medicine and reinforced the importance of collaboration, advocacy, and student representation across Canada.
I would also like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Karin Orsel, whose encouragement and mentorship challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone, speak with confidence, and recognize the value of my perspective. Her support and belief in student voices have made a lasting impact on my experience, and I am incredibly grateful for her guidance throughout this role.
I am thrilled to pass the torch to Emma Jessop (OVC). The dedication and commitment that she has already demonstrated through her involvement in planning the 2026 SCVMA Symposium are a testament to her leadership, passion, and vision for the future of the organization. I am confident that the SCVMA will continue to thrive and I cannot wait to see all that she accomplishes in the coming year.
Finally, congratulations to Dr. Tracy Fisher on an inspiring year as CVMA President. Your leadership and dedication to advancing the veterinary profession have been deeply appreciated across all areas of veterinary medicine. Through your advocacy, professionalism, and commitment to supporting veterinarians and the communities they serve, you have made a meaningful impact on the profession as a whole. Thank you for your continued efforts to strengthen and support veterinary medicine in Canada.
As we move into another year, I hope everyone takes time to reflect on how far they have come and to celebrate the accomplishments — big and small — that brought them here. Veterinary medicine is a demanding path, but it is also an incredibly meaningful one. I have no doubt that the future of the profession is in excellent hands.
Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and well-deserved summer.
Kasey Keohane
Western College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2027