Saputo’s investment in dairy cattle welfare and training tops $1.75 million.

In 2015, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) and the Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare (CCSAW) launched the Saputo Dairy Care Program with a commitment of $500,000 from Saputo. Ten years later, the world’s first and only formal dairy cattle welfare training program for veterinarians is celebrating Saputo’s second investment renewal that will bring the company’s total support for dairy cattle welfare at OVC to $1.75 million.  

Dr. Anna Schwanke

This year’s renewal pledge of $500,000 will allow OVC to continue and expand dairy welfare training and outreach for student and practicing veterinarians, dairy producers and industry representatives, as well as hire a new full-time Saputo Dairy Care Program Manager, Dr. Anna Schwanke. 

Over the past decade, more than 130 senior large-animal veterinary students from across Canada, the U.S. and beyond, have engaged in week-long immersive rotations. This largely hands-on training delves into sometimes controversial issues affecting dairy cattle welfare, like transportation and culling decisions. 

To respond to demand by rotation alumni for more in-depth training, in 2022, the CCSAW and Dairy at Guelph faculty began offering a second week-long course in the summer. Early in their veterinary career, outstanding graduates were admitted to another rotation, tailored to their specific animal care interests and the nature of their clinical practice. 

 For the full story, and to learn more about Dr. Schwanke, please visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/ovc/news/node/4898.