Veterinary Skills Training and Enhancement Program

Since 2006, the Veterinary Skills, Training & Enhancement Program (VSTEP) has assisted international veterinary graduates in their pursuit of North American Veterinary Licensure. It is with profound regret that we announce that the program has graduated its last class.

VSTEP will be winding up operations over the next few months and will close its doors for good on March 31, 2018. Inquiries after that date should be directed to the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (www.cvo.org).
We wish to thank all of our instructors, field placement practitioners and our three founding organizations (College of Veterinarians of Ontario, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and the University of Guelph) and most importantly the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration for their unwavering support and enthusiasm over the last twelve years.
Farewell VSTEP! It's been a great run!!
Alec Martin
Jennifer Thurtell

The College of Veterinarians of Ontario - The College of Veterinarians of Ontario

VSTEP has extended the application deadline for the 2017 session. If you are waiting for BCSE results or plan to take the BCSE before April15th, you are still welcome to submit an application.

The job market for veterinarians is strong right now. Veterinary practice owners are contacting VSTEP looking for VSTEP graduates to hire. This may be the best time to make that decision to get your licence. There is still time to submit your application for the 2017 year. Enrollment is limited to 24 participants.

VSTEP 2014 alumnus Christian Lagaspi works as a veterinarian at Grand Valley Animal Clinic in Brandon, Manitoba

VSTEP 2014 alumnus Amin Sabzevari works as a veterinarian at Family Pet Hospital in Lethbridge, Alberta

VSTEP 2017 Application Form is now available. Visit our website and submit your application early.

VSTEP 2010 alumnus Victor Oltean works as a veterinarian at Warman Veterinary Services in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Since 2006 when Ray Aslani completed VSTEP our program has helped 270 internationally trained veterinarians along their path to licensure in Canada and the United States. Ray is the proud owner of three veterinary hospitals in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Yong Chang completed VSTEP in 2011. He is working for Veterinary Centers of America in their Annandale, Virginia hospital

Hooman Afshari completed VSTEP in 2007 and in 2010 opened the Brooklin Veterinary Hospital in Brooklin, Ontario where he employs 3 other veterinarians.

2007 VSTEP alumnus Suresh Prajapati is the proud owner of East Side Animal Hospital in Toronto, Ontario

VSTEP 2008 alumnus Margaret Pacia works as a companion animal veterinarian at Humber Bay Veterinary Hospital in Toronto, Ontario