White Coat Ceremony Celebrates Turquoise Tigers’ Transition to Clinical Year

On March 29^th, 2025, the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) celebrated the White Coat Ceremony for the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Class of 2026, the Turquoise Tigers. This special event held at the University of Guelph’s Rozanski Hall marked their transition from pre-clinical studies to hands-on clinical learning. 

Faculty, staff and representatives from veterinary associations were present to honour the 117 students as they donned their white coats. Key speakers included Dr. Jeffrey Wichtel, Dean of OVC, and Dr. Pavneesh Madan, Acting Associate Dean, Students and Academic, Dr. Jessica Retterath, President of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario; Dr. Heather Fretz, President of the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Jim Fairles, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Tiffany Durzi, OVC Alumni Association; Dr. Luis Gaitero, Associate Dean Clinical Program; and Dr. Michele Guerin, the DVM program’s Phase Four Leader.  

Each student was personally “coated” to signify the start of their clinical year. 

The ceremony was livestreamed for friends and family unable to attend in person, with a recording available on OVC’s YouTube channel.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026 Turquoise Tigers as they step into this exciting phase of their journey!