Robson Valley residents concerned by lack of vet services
By Andrea Arnold
When long-time Dunster-based veterinarian Tom Vogel announced his retirement in the middle of December, the community — while understanding that it was time for this move — flooded social media with concerns.
With services no longer available in the Robson Valley and the Jasper clinic only able to provide limited services, local pet owners are looking at long and expensive commutes to have animals treated, or to even acquire medication.
Robson Valley pet owners are having to look beyond Prince George and Jasper for services. Falling Star Ranch owner Birgit Stutz commented in a post that clinics in Prince George are hard to get into.
Farmers with livestock are now having to consider what they will do in a case where a large animal in labour needs assistance, or contracts colic or another illness. How far will they have to transport their animals for medical services? In the case of labour, the arrival to help may be too late.
Westwinds Mobile Veterinary Services out of Prince George has been visiting McBride periodically in recent years. The clinic provides opportunities for scheduled appointments, but is not able to provide emergency services, unless practitioners happen to be in the area at the time.
The demand for support from the Villages, both McBride and Valemount, as well as the Regional District of Fraser Fort George was evident through online conversation on Facebook. Letters have been sent by concerned residents suggesting options and requesting that the Councils work to advocate for a solution.
Valemount Mayor Owen Torgerson confirmed that at the recent North Central Local Government Association and Union of BC Municipalities conventions, the Village of Valemount supported resolutions brought forward by Regional District Fraser-Fort George and Regional District Bulkley-Nechako to address veterinarian shortages in northern BC. These resolutions have resulted in action by the Province to increase veterinary services to rural B.C.
In response to the outcry on Facebook, RDFFG Area H Director Dannielle Alan confirmed that the Regional District has been working alongside the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako to advocate for more resources for training and help for new vets setting up large animal practices in rural BC.
“We have repeatedly met with the Ministries of Agriculture and Education and will continue – the current situation for pet owners and agricultural producers is untenable,” she said.
Alan also directed residents to sites that explain what the Province has committed to regarding the issue.
“We will be continuing to push for more,” she said.
In March 2023, the Province announced as part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready plan they were permanently doubling the number of subsidized seats for B.C. veterinary students attending the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan. This commitment increased the subsidized seats from 20 to 40 through the initial investment of $21.8 million over three years.
In addition in the middle of 2024, The International Credentials Recognition Act came into effect. The act allows for easier, more transparent and faster processes for those international qualified professionals to pursue and achieve credential recognition, no matter where they were trained. The requirement for Canadian based work experience has been removed for several professions, including veterinary practice.
On December 12th, 2024 another news release by the Province announced a new program with the aim of attracting and retaining livestock veterinarians in rural parts of the province.
Northern B.C. will be the primary focus of this program, providing veterinary clinics that provide livestock care with recruitment and retainment of veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists, as well as funding for equipment and training.
Also of interest to the Robson Valley at this time, is the statement that the program will also help build local partnerships to improve strategic planning for veterinary services in under-serviced communities and regions. However it’s not a simple application process.
In an interview with The Goat, B.C.’s Chief Veterinarian Dr. Theresa Burns said while local governments can’t access funding through the program by themselves, there is an opportunity for local governments and community organizations to partner with veterinarians interested in establishing a clinic in the area.
“These can be [groups] like Farmer’s Institutes, non-profits, rural community organizations, and local and First Nations governments,” Burns said.
“The veterinary practice doesn’t necessarily need to have a brick and mortar facility in that town or village, but they do have to be willing to support providing veterinary services in that community, whether that’s immediately or after they’ve accessed the funding to build that capacity,” she added.
The financial strain on new graduates is already enormous, so the prospect of opening a new clinic, or even taking over an existing practice is often impossible without support from outside sources. The consensus of the voices heard on social media is that active recruiting and support from local government for anyone who shows an interest in setting up a rural practice is imperative.
The first intake for applications for this program ends on January 15th, 2025.
While the lack of vet services is a concern across the valley, the support and appreciation for Dr. Vogel’s services are being expressed valley wide. Boxes for cards and notes have been placed at various locations in McBride, Dunster and Valemount.
“Village of Valemount expresses gratitude to Dr. Tom Vogel for his commitment and professional care for large and small animals throughout the Robson Valley during his remarkable service as veterinarian,” said Mayor Torgerson. “We wish him all the best as he moves forward into a well deserved retirement.”
The Goat was unable to reach Dr. Vogel by press time.
