Jun
9
2016

Graduate mentorship program valuable

Veterinary technician receives valuable mentorship opportunity at Cornwall Veterinary Clinic

Falina Dovick, a recent graduate and registered veterinary technician had the opportunity to develop her skills in her field of study at the Cornwall Veterinary Clinic, says Minister Richard Brown, Workforce and Advanced Learning

“Through the Graduate Mentorship Program, we’re proud to pair graduates with mentors who can provide real-world opportunities and unforgettable learning experiences,” said Minister Brown. “Furthermore, the partnerships can act as mutually beneficial relationships, helping to fill various employment needs for local employers.”

Dovick graduated from Dalhousie University’s Veterinary Technology program in May 2015 as a mature student, after years of volunteering at veterinary clinics. She realized then that her passion for helping animals was within reach. Dovick was an avid volunteer with the Cornwall Veterinary Clinic for more than two years before graduating, and was thrilled when a veterinary technician position became available.

“My goal was to get a job on Prince Edward Island, but my dream job was to work at the Cornwall Veterinary Clinic,” said Dovick. “I love the idea of growing with a small clinic, and I really appreciate the close connections you make working with people in Cornwall. I’m glad that the Graduate Mentorship Program was available to assist my employer with the cost of my hiring. SkillsPEI played a large role in making my dream a reality; from allowing me to return to school to securing employment upon graduation, I am truly grateful to the program for the support.”

The Graduate Mentorship Program provides recent post secondary graduates with on-the-job opportunities to develop new skills and gain work experience in their field of study. Wage subsidies are provided to employers to create long term employment opportunities and assist in hiring and training a new employee. Through the program, Dovick worked one-on-one each day with a veterinarian who allowed her to practice her skills in a safe and supervised environment.
 
“Throughout the mentorship opportunity, the graduate evolved from a beginner technician to a valued member of the healthcare team and our growing business,” said Dr. Sheila McIver, owner of the Cornwall Veterinary Clinic since January 2015. “The program afforded me the ability to hire a new position after recently taking over ownership, at a time when I was unsure if I could truly afford it. Having Falina on staff was well worth it, and I am thrilled that we are now able to afford to keep her on staff permanently.”

The Cornwall Veterinary Clinic is a small animal veterinary practice serving the residents of Cornwall and surrounding areas. The clinic offers preventative, emergency, and chronic care medicine, as well as routine and treatment based surgical care.

For more information on SkillsPEI’s Graduate Mentorship Program, visit www.skillspei.com.

Funding for the Graduate Mentorship Program is provided through the Canada-PEI Labour Market Development Agreement.
 
Media contact:
Sheila Kerry
Senior Communications Officer, Workforce and Advanced Learning
(902) 620-3688

General Inquiries

1-877-491-4766
skillspei@gov.pe.ca
skillspei.com

Follow us on X (formerly Twitter)

Charlottetown

Atlantic Technology Centre 
176 Great George Street, Suite #212
Phone: 902-368-6290

Summerside
Access PEI
120 Heather Moyse Drive 
Phone: 902-438- 4151

Montague
548 Main Street 
Phone: 902-838- 0674

West Prince
50 MacKenzie Crescent
Woodstock, PE C0B 1V0
Phone: 902-859-8898

skillspei@gov.pe.ca