Explore OVC
OVC is working at the intersections of animal, human and ecosystem health to help find real-world solutions to real-world challenges.
Welcome from the OVC's Dean
For more than 160 years, the simple but powerful call to duty - Opus Veterinum Civibus - The Craft of the Veterinarian is for the Good of the Nation - has guided the Ontario Veterinary College on its journey to excellence, supporting the evolving relationship between humans and animals, advancing veterinary medicine and tackling our most pressing health and food security issues.
Today, more than ever, innovation and science-based discovery are critical to the health and sustainability of our planet. Our students, our researchers and our graduates boast a broad skillset, creativity and passion to ensure the health and well-being of our changing world and to ensure we are prepared for whatever the future holds.
– Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel
Leadership at the OVC
Excellence in innovation, education and service
Ontario Veterinary College
Jeffrey Wichtel
Dean
Jeffrey Wichtel joined the Ontario Veterinary College in October 2015. He also holds a faculty appointment in OVC’s Department of Population Medicine. He brings extensive experience as a researcher, clinician and administrator. Wichtel earned his B.V.Sc. and PhD from Massey University and is board-certified by the American College of Theriogenologists. He was previously a faculty member in the Department of Health Management, at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island, served as the college’s associate dean, graduate studies and research, and also served at AVC as acting dean, director of animal resources, department chair and chair of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre. Before joining AVC, Wichtel taught at Massey University in New Zealand and in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University. He studies animal nutrition, disease, production and reproduction, and has specialized in trace element and vitamin nutrition in ruminants and horses.
The Dean provides strategic direction, academic planning leadership and administrative oversight to OVC’s senior leadership team to achieve the highest possible standards in teaching, research and service.
Strategy and Planning
Ilya Bogorad
Executive Director
Ilya Bogorad joined the Ontario Veterinary College in August 2019. In addition to an MBA (Finance) from the Rotman School of Management, Ilya Bogorad brings leadership experience focused on strategic planning, resource optimization, financial management and health services administration. In the Executive Director role, Bogorad works closely with all units at the University of Guelph’s OVC, including the four academic departments, the Office of the Dean and the Health Sciences Centre to ensure strong decision support, optimal resource utilization, project management, and short- and long-term planning, ensuring sustainability and achieving the goals and vision of the college.
The Executive Director works closely with all units at the University of Guelph’s OVC, including the four academic departments, the Office of the Dean and the Health Sciences Centre to ensure strong decision support, optimal resource utilization, project management, and short- and long-term planning, ensuring sustainability and achieving the goals and vision of the college.
Students and Academic
Joanne Hewson
Associate Dean
Joanne Hewson was appointed Associate Dean, Students and Academic in October 2018. A Large Animal Internal Medicine faculty member in OVC's Department of Clinical Studies, Hewson holds DVM and PhD degrees from the University of Guelph. She is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. She teaches clinical skills development extensively throughout the DVM Program, and has been actively involved in a variety of initiatives related to teaching and learning scholarship, curricular design, student well-being, learning pathways, and assessment. Advancing skills training through authentic practice, with feedback and reflection, is at the heart of her teaching passion.
The Associate Dean, Students and Academic is responsible for providing leadership in advancing the academic, professional and personal development of students in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, curricular innovation and oversight, quality assurance and integrity, and DVM student recruitment and career readiness.
Research and Graduate Studies
Alice Defarges
Acting Associate Dean
Dr. Defarges earned her veterinary degree from the Ecole Nationale Veterinaire d’Alfort, France. She worked in private practice for several years and then moved to North America to specialize. She completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery, followed by a small animal internal medicine residency and MSc at the University of Montreal. Dr. Alice Defarges joined the Ontario Veterinary College (University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada), as an assistant Professor in internal medicine in 2008. Her area of clinical and research interest are minimally invasive procedures, urology, and gastroenterology. Dr. Defarges completed the Hemodialysis Academy course (UC Davis) in 2019. Dr. Defarges is a consultant for INFINITI medical as a reader of capsule endoscopy (ALICAM).
The Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies works closely with the dean, associate deans and department chairs to advance OVC and the U of G research and graduate training priorities, as well as to provide strategic leadership to support OVC's capacity to conduct excellent research.
Clinical Program
Luis Gaitero
Associate Dean
Luis Gaitero, is an associate professor in OVC's Department of Clinical Studies and a board-certified veterinary neurologist. His specialities include neurosurgery, spinal cord trauma, and neuroimaging. As Associate Dean, Clinical Program, Gaitero supervises and mentors the veterinarians and the OVC Health Sciences Centre management team and is responsible for the success and fiscal viability of the OVC Health Sciences Centre.
The Associate Dean, Clinical Studies works closely with the other associate deans to ensure that learning outcomes area achieved and to optimize the student experience within the clinical program, and to facilitate clinically-based research.
OVC Strategic Initiatives
Creating healthy futures for animals, people and the planet.
Addressing Barriers To Veterinary Care
Creating a future where all people and animals have access to the veterinary care they need.
Advancing Translational Health Research
Leading translational and clinical research and innovation to benefit both animals and people.
Bench to Bedside Institute for Translational Health Research and Innovation
Expanding Class Sizes to Meet Northern Ontario Veterinary Needs
Growing the veterinary healthcare workforce to address Ontario’s veterinary crisis while enhancing the learning experience for every OVC graduate.
Preparing Students for Tomorrow's Challenges
Empowering future veterinarians to improve the lives of pets, clients and their teams by strengthening veterinary communication and relationship-building.
Global Health Through One Health
Bringing diverse disciplines together to address complex health challenges and develop equitable, sustainable solutions for all.
Promoting Scholarship via Graduate-Level Training
Training future leaders through globally recognized programs and innovative research in One Health, veterinary sciences and biomedical sciences.
Inside OVC
Our rich community and network of research expertise
- #1 in Canada
- QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025: Veterinary Science
- #4 in North America
- QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025: Veterinary Science
- #6 Worldwide
- QS World University Rankings By Subject 2025: Veterinary Science
- 482
- DVM Students
- 127
- Faculty & Veterinarians
- 1,336
- Graduate & B.SC. Students
- 20,829
- Pet & Equine Patient Visits
- $43,672,071
- Active Research Project Funding
- 6,522
- Food Animal & Field Service Patient Visits
Our Structure
More than the sum of our parts
OVC is organized into four dynamic academic departments, eight world-leading research centres and institutes, and our renowned Health Sciences Centre, where we promote collaboration, catalyze discovery and reflect the internationally recognized expertise of our faculty and researchers.
Our Success
Building the pathway of discovery
OVC is the oldest veterinary college in Canada and the United States, and the only veterinary college in Ontario. We graduate almost one-third of all Canadian-educated veterinarians.
