New Agreement Will Help SUNY Canton Students Become Veterinarians

A new agreement will allow four-year SUNY Canton Veterinary Technology students to transfer into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts.

The formal articulation agreement allows students who have successfully completed their Bachelor of Science at SUNY Canton, while maintaining a specified GPA and other criteria, to be admitted into Ross University’s program in the West Indies. Students can graduate with their advanced degree in as little as 3.25 years.

Pictured (l to r) are SUNY Canton Professor and Veterinary Technology Program Director Mary O. Loomis helping Jessica L. Knapp of Cape Vincent analyze samples in the Newell Veterinary Technology Center. Through a new articulation agreement, four-year Veterinary Technology students are now able to continue their education in Ross University’s Doctor of Veterinary Technology degree program.

“This is the first dedicated degree path for our students who wish to pursue a DVM degree,” said Dr. Mary O. Loomis, a professor and program director of the Veterinary Technology program. “We’ve had significant interest from students who want to become veterinarians and see SUNY Canton as the first step in their journey. The arrangement is also available to recent graduates of the four-year program.”

Ross University has reserved spots for up to 12 students a year, or three per trimester, according to the agreement. Loomis said there is already a contingent of SUNY Canton students who have begun their doctoral education at the University before the formal agreement, with another three current students interested in applying.

Both institutions share a mutual goal of ensuring excellence in veterinary medical education and both are accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

“The rigorous coursework at SUNY Canton will be excellent preparation for doctoral studies,” noted Dr. D. Anthony Beane, a professor and veterinarian at SUNY Canton. “We look forward to giving more SUNY Canton graduates the opportunity to gain entrance into veterinary school.”

The college’s four-year Veterinary Science Technology program builds off of the Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Science Technology program. It is unique to the area, and one of approximately 20 four-year programs in the nation that provides students with the education and skills necessary to obtain licensure and seek employment as a veterinary technician. The program offers a dynamic blend of instruction and extensive hands-on experience in small laboratory settings. 

Both the two- and four-year programs run in tandem with the four-year Bachelor of Business Administration in Veterinary Services Management program, which allows individuals who are already licensed veterinary technicians to attain a specialized four-year degree. SUNY Canton has six articulations with other veterinary technology programs for this degree. There are about 200 students enrolled in all veterinary-focused programs at the college.

About Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Since its founding in 1982, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine has graduated more than 5,000 veterinarians, many practicing in every U.S. state, in Canada, Puerto Rico, and abroad. The university’s technologically advanced campus in St. Kitts features an accelerated, broad-based curriculum that integrates unique research opportunities, classroom study, and hands-on clinical training. Faculty have outstanding credentials in teaching and research in addition to sharing a passion for educating the veterinarians of tomorrow.