Two Olds College (OC) instructors made an impassioned pitch for a proposed new animal health technology facility during OC's first-ever Homestead Feast fundraiser.
The college hopes to raise $6 million for the new building.
The goal, according to OC literature, is to create a new world-class facility that “will create a learning environment that celebrates leading-edge student-centred practices, with a focus on animal welfare, applied research, and utilizing state-of-the-art technology."
Animal health instructors David Bjolin and Becky Taylor said the program has outgrown its current facilities, shared with equine science and the National Meat Training Centre.
Those attending the feast, held April 13 in the Alumni Centre, were told that in 1975, 25 students were enrolled the animal sciences program. Now, about 200 students are studying animal health technology programs (AHT) at any given time of the year.
The Homestead Feast, which showcased local food and talent, replaced the college's Growing The Legacy Gala.
During an approximately 22-minute presentation, Bjolin and Taylor said their innovative programs are so valued by the veterinary industry and other related industries that grads tend to have jobs immediately.
"Truthfully, we've only seen two major renovations to the same facility we had 40 years ago, at the beginning of the animal health technology program," Taylor said.
"What we need now is a facility to enhance and in fact set us even further apart -- to any other program, any other similar program," she said. "If I had a dream, it would be that we would be THE place that people come to for education in animal care and the veterinary profession.
"And theoretically, OK, we know our students are engaged with the best content, using innovative delivery, innovative teaching, student-centred learning, amazing faculty," she added.
"Wouldn't it be great," she asked, if students and staff could be housed in a modern building featuring state-of-the-art equipment and housing for animals that "exemplifies the highest in animal welfare and care standards and learning spaces that enhance student experiences?"
Bjolin said the college needs a new facility that reflects the way the veterinary profession is evolving.
"The veterinary world is changing. Veterinary facilities, they're growing to meet the demands of a more educated animal owner," he said. "The medicine we do for animals today looks a lot different than it did 20, 25 years ago.
"If you entered a specialty practice or a veterinary college nowadays, you would feel like you'd walked into a state-of-the-art human hospital or human facility.
"You would find a lab of surgical suites with all the support and equipment required for advanced procedures. (It's) not unusual to find rehabilitation facilities for dogs, even for horses.
"There's advanced imaging equipment out there such as CAT scans, MRI machines, on and on and on. The field is expanding rapidly, and it's super, super exciting," he added.
Bjolin urged attendees to meet some of the students and staff in the audience and ask them how they can help make the new facility a reality.
During the presentation, Bjolin sparked some laughter from the audience when he recalled a couple of encounters he'd had with members of the school's animal health club.
The first one Bjolin related involved what he called the "canned cat food challenge."
"A student -- her name was Krista -- dared me to eat some right on the spot. I said, 'no.' (But) if you raise a certain minimum, I'll eat canned cat food. My choice of the cat food, my choice of the crackers. And I'll donate all the money back to the animal health club. It was a no-brainer; they raised it," he added, sparking laughter and applause.
"The second event that sticks in my mind or in my head -- no pun intended -- involves students buying portions of duct tape and taping me to a wall -- again, all the proceeds going to the animal health club," Bjolin said. "Just lots and lots of fun."
