Explore OVC
OVC works at the intersection of animal, human, and ecosystem health, driving practical, real‑world solutions to today’s most pressing challenges.
Welcome from OVC's Dean
For more than 160 years, the Ontario Veterinary College has been guided by a simple but powerful call to duty: Opus Veterinum Civibus — The Craft of the Veterinarian is for the Good of the Nation. This enduring principle has shaped our pursuit of excellence, strengthened the evolving relationship between humans and animals, advanced veterinary medicine, and driven solutions to some of the world’s most urgent health and food‑security challenges.
Today, innovation and science‑based discovery are more vital than ever to the health and sustainability of our planet. Our students, researchers, and graduates bring exceptional skill, creativity, and passion to safeguarding the well‑being of a rapidly changing world — and to ensuring we are ready for whatever the future demands.
– Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel
Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel
Dean
Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel serves as Dean and Professor at the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), Canada’s top‑ranked veterinary school. As Dean, he provides strategic vision, academic leadership, and operational oversight to ensure OVC continues to excel in teaching, research, and service. Under his leadership, the college has expanded its impact—launching innovative programs that increase access to veterinary care in underserved communities and securing major philanthropic investments to build state‑of‑the‑art facilities that will train the next generation of veterinary professionals.
Dr. Wichtel earned his B.V.Sc. and PhD from Massey University and is a board‑certified diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. Before joining OVC, he held numerous academic and leadership roles at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), University of Prince Edward Island, including associate dean of graduate studies and research, acting dean, director of animal resources, department chair, and chair of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre. He has also taught at Massey University in New Zealand and at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.
A respected researcher, Dr. Wichtel studies animal nutrition, health, production, and reproduction, with a particular focus on trace element and vitamin nutrition in ruminants and horses.
Ilya Bogorad
Executive Director, Strategy and Planning
Ilya Bogorad joined the Ontario Veterinary College in August 2019, bringing deep expertise in strategic planning, financial management, resource optimization, and health‑services administration. With an MBA in Finance from the Rotman School of Management, he provides the strategic and operational leadership that supports OVC’s mission and long‑term sustainability.
As Executive Director, Bogorad works closely with all units across the college—including the four academic departments, the Office of the Dean, and the Health Sciences Centre—to strengthen decision‑making, steward resources effectively, guide major projects, and advance both short‑ and long‑term planning. His leadership helps ensure the college has the systems, capacity, and strategic focus needed to achieve its goals and realize its vision for the future
Dr. Cate Dewey
Acting Associate Dean, Students and Academic
Professor Cate Dewey is a student‑focused leader known for her collaborative spirit and deep commitment to excellence in higher education. She brings decades of academic leadership and program development experience to her role as Interim Associate Dean, Students and Academic.
Most recently, Dewey served as Assistant Dean, overseeing the development and rollout of the Collaborative Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Previously, she served as Chair of OVC’s Department of Population Medicine, where she played a central role in redesigning the DVM program and the creation of the Master of Public Health program.
She also served as U of G's Associate Vice‑President (Academic), overseeing the content, administration, and delivery of all undergraduate programs.
The Associate Dean, Students and Academic provides leadership in advancing the academic, professional and personal development of students in the DVM program, curricular innovation and oversight, quality assurance and integrity and DVM student recruitment and career readiness.
Dr. Alice Defarges
Acting Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies
Dr. Alice Defarges earned her veterinary degree from L’École nationale vétérinaire d’Alfort in France before beginning her career in private practice. Driven to specialize, she later moved to North America, completing an internship in small animal medicine and surgery, followed by a residency in small animal internal medicine and an MSc at the University of Montreal.
Dr. Defarges joined the Ontario Veterinary College in 2008 as an Assistant Professor in internal medicine. Her clinical and research interests focus on minimally invasive procedures, urology, and gastroenterology. She has pursued advanced training in hemodialysis through the UC Davis Hemodialysis Academy (2019) and serves as a consultant for INFINITI Medical, providing expert interpretation of capsule endoscopy (ALICAM).
As Interim Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Defarges works closely with the Dean, associate deans, and department chairs to advance OVC’s research excellence and graduate training priorities. She provides strategic leadership that strengthens the college’s research capacity, supports innovation, and helps position OVC as a global leader in veterinary and biomedical discovery.
Dr. Luis Gaitero
Associate Dean, Clinical Program
Dr. Luis Gaitero is an associate professor in the Department of Clinical Studies and a board‑certified veterinary neurologist whose expertise spans neurosurgery, spinal cord trauma and neuroimaging. A respected clinician and educator, he brings deep experience in complex neurological care and a strong commitment to advancing clinical training at the Ontario Veterinary College.
As Associate Dean, Clinical Program, Dr. Gaitero provides leadership to the veterinarians and management team within the OVC Health Sciences Centre. He oversees clinical operations, mentors faculty, and ensures the Centre’s success and long‑term financial sustainability. His role is central to maintaining high‑quality patient care while supporting an exceptional learning environment for DVM students and trainees.
Working closely with OVC’s other associate deans, he helps ensure that clinical learning outcomes are achieved, the student experience is optimized, and clinically based research continues to thrive across the college.
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.
- 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.
