OLDS — The newly renovated Animal Health Education Centre at Olds College of Agriculture & Technology is now open for students.
The renovation project, initially announced in July 2020, was completed in several phases, according to a college news release issued Thursday.
Now that the work has been completed, the capacity of the college’s animal health programs has been expanded from 90 students a year to 120 for the 2024-25 year and to 150 in 2025-26.
The expansion includes a small animal hospital with surgical, dental and radiology suites, as well as diagnostic labs and plenty of animal housing space.
It will support several programs, including veterinary technology diploma, veterinary technical assistant certificate and veterinary medical receptionist certificate. It will also house the National Meat Training Centre and retail store.
The purpose, the college says, is to advance animal health education as well as the learning experience for students, staff and the broader animal care community, and foster future growth.
“Our goal is to create an environment where students can immerse themselves in real-world experiences, collaborate with industry professionals and make a meaningful impact on animal health,” Dalin Bullock, dean of the School of Life Science and Business, is quoted as saying in the news release. “This is a transformative step forward in how we approach animal care education.
“It also aligns with large animal treatment areas on the Olds College Smart Farm — supporting a comprehensive learning experience and further enhancing our students' practical skills and career readiness.”
