.Program Overview

The Veterinary Work Experience Program is administered by Alberta Agriculture and Food. Funding is renewed on a yearly basis. Employees and employers must apply together for the program; Alberta Agriculture and Food does not do any matching. Employees may approach potential employers and advise them of the program but cannot apply for the program without an employer.

Veterinarians who hire a student for the summer will note the following funding structure. Employers are reimbursed for 30% of the employee's monthly wage to a maximum of $500 per month for AHT students or 50% of monthly wage to a maximum of $1200 for students qualified to enter their 2nd year of study; 40% of monthly wage to a maximum of $1000 for students qualified to enter their 3rd year of study and 30% to a maximum of $750 for students qualified to enter their final year of study. Applications are mailed out to potential employers in the first week of March and are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. The application deadline is April 18, 2008. The program runs from May 1 to August 31.

2008 Program Information and Guidelines

Which Employers are Eligible?

• Employers must be registered veterinarians who own part or all of a veterinary practice, located in Alberta.
• Preference will be given to employers who are involved in a practice that consists of at least 50% livestock work.
• Employers must be members of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
• Employers may not exchange students or "job-share" on this program.
• Employers must not receive other provincial or federal program funding for the student.

• Recruit their student and verify that all eligibility requirements are met.
• Ensure that their student receives a copy of the completed application form.
• Contact the AVMA regarding the completion of a Consent to Employ a Student form, if appropriate.
• Ensure the employee is supervised the majority of the time and particularly while performing potentially dangerous or new tasks.
• Ensure safe working conditions for the employee.
• Pay the employee at a pre-contracted monthly rate, agreed to by both the employer and the employee.
• Issue a pay cheque, with appropriate deductions, to the employee on either a bi-monthly or monthly basis.
• Maintain a record of the number of days and hours the employee works during the summer.
• Complete and submit a Reimbursement Claim Form at the end of the summer.
• Send a Record of Employment to the employee and provide a T4 slip to the employee for income tax purposes.
• Retain proof of employee payment and hours worked for program audit purposes.
• Comply with the Program Guidelines, the Veterinary Profession Act, the Alberta Association of Animal Health Technologists (AAAHT) By-Laws, the Employment Standards Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and all other applicable legislation, regulations, and by- laws associated with being an employer in the Province of Alberta.
• Notify the Program Staff immediately if the student's employment is terminated for any reason.
• Maintain responsibility for all claims, demands, actions, and costs whatsoever that may arise out of the employer's performance of this agreement, or by the actions of the employer, his agents or employees, whether occasioned by negligence or otherwise.

• Employers of AHT students are reimbursed 30% of wages to a maximum of $500 per month.
• Employers of veterinary students are reimbursed as follows: students entering second year, 50% of wage to a maximum of $1200 per month; students entering third year, 40% or wage to a maximum of $1000 per month; students entering final year, 30% of wage to a maximum of $750 per month.
• One Reimbursement Claim Form will be mailed to all approved employers.
• The employer should complete and submit the Reimbursement Claim Form at the end of the summer, or on the student's last day of employment. The Reimbursement Claim Form must be signed by both the employer and the employee.
• The employer may only claim for time actually worked by the employee.
• The employer's expected subsidy must be based on the contracted information provided on the application form. Final subsidy amounts exceeding contracted subsidy amounts of $250 or more may be the responsibility of the employer depending on total program expenditures.
• One reimbursement cheque will be mailed to the employer as soon as possible after the Reimbursement Claim Form is submitted.
• If the employer is overpaid, the overpaid amount must be repaid to the Minister of Finance as soon as the employer is informed of the amount owing.
• The deadline for submitting the Reimbursement Claim Form is September 26, 2008. Reimbursement Claim Forms received after September 26, 2008 may not be processed.
• Completed Reimbursement Claim Forms may be faxed, in which case no original is required.

• Employers of AHT students are reimbursed 30% of wages to a maximum of $500 per month.
• Employers of veterinary students are reimbursed as follows: students entering second year, 50% of wage to a maximum of $1200 per month; students entering third year, 40% or wage to a maximum of $1000 per month; students entering final year, 30% of wage to a maximum of $750 per month.

• Veterinary Students must have completed their first, second, or third year of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program and must be returning to school in the fall.
• Veterinary Students must have lived in Alberta for at least 12 months prior to entering Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary Students who do not meet this requirement will only be considered for acceptance if funding is available.
• AHT Students must have completed their first year of an AHT diploma program and must be returning to school in the fall. Preference will be given to AHT students enrolled in a post-secondary institution located in Alberta. AHT Students attending a post-secondary institution outside Alberta will only be considered for acceptance if funding is available.
• Employees must not be a direct relative of the employer. "Direct relative" includes spouse, brother, sister, son or daughter.
• Employees must be unemployed. Existing part-time employees are eligible if total hours worked over the previous three months averaged less than 20 per week. Employees working full-time for someone other than the employer are eligible if they are terminated before May 1. Employees working for the employer full-time prior to May 1 are not eligible under the program.
• Employees must not be working full-time anywhere else or attending school while participating in this program.
• Employees must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

• Employment must be between May 1 and August 31.
• Employment must provide at least four weeks of continuous, full-time employment within the program period.
• Employment must be a minimum of 30 hours per week. However, if the employee works more than 8 hours per day or 44 hours per week, overtime must be paid by the employer unless the employee has previously agreed (in writing) to time off in lieu of overtime pay. Overtime hours (as defined by Employment Standards) are either: a) the total of an employee's hours of work in excess of 8 on each work day in the work week or b) an employee's hours of work in excess of 44 hours in the work week, whichever is greater. Payment for overtime hours must be at least 1.5 times the employee's wage rate.
• Tasks performed must increase the employee's knowledge of veterinary medicine or animal health technology, as appropriate, and all duties must be related to the employing veterinary clinic or practise only. Employment must be based in Alberta.
• The employment of a student under this program must not eliminate, amend or affect the job security of any person who would otherwise have been employed.
• A contract under this program does not mean that the employee is considered to be an employee or agent of the Government of Alberta.

• Agree to participate in the program and agree to work for only one specified employer.
• Perform all tasks in a responsible and conscientious manner and follow the policies and procedures of the veterinary clinic while employed.
• Notify program staff immediatley if your employment is terminated for any reason.

• Interested employers must complete and submit an application by April 18, 2008. Employers MAY NOT submit an application without the name of a student. To assist employers with finding a student, a Contact List for Employee Recruitment has been compiled.
• Employers will be notified of their initial status by mail as soon as possible once the application has been received.
• Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are committed.
• Forms received after the deadline will only be reviewed if funding is available.
• Old application forms will not be accepted.
• Faxed copies will be accepted as an original application.

• Program staff have final authority for the approval or rejection of any application.
• Approval is based on evidence of both an employer's and a student's compliance with the program guidelines, the training opportunities that will be provided to the employee, and the availability of funding.

• Program staff must be notified immediately if there are any changes to the original contract.
• Employers may replace an employee only once. The employer must request the replacement, either verbally or in writing, by July 4, 2008. The new employee may start work as soon as program staff gives verbal approval. A new application must then be sent in.
• Employers who cancel their contract after July 4, 2008 will not be eligible to employ a new student.

• Program staff may cancel the contract, retroactive to the start date, at any time if participants violate their contract and/or the program guidelines. Funds may need to be repaid and employers may not be allowed to participate in the Veterinary Work Experience Program again.

The following veterinary clinics are aware of the VWEP and may be interested in hiring a Veterinary student and/or an Animal Health Technology student in the summer of 2008. Feel free to contact them directly about potential employment opportunities.

Alta Embryo Group Ltd 253147 Unit A, Bearspaw Rd Calgary, AB T3L 2P5 Phone: 403-239-8882 Fax: 403-239-8886 Type of practice: bovine embryo transfer	Boyle Veterinary Services Ltd. Box 220 Boyle, AB TOA OMO Ph: 780-689-3800 Fax: 780-689-3976 E-Mail: boylevet@mcsnet.ca Type of practice: mixed	Buffalo Head Veterinary Services 6012 46 Avenue Taber, AB T1G 2B1 Phone: 403-223-9584 Fax: 403-223-0315 Type of practice: mixed
Camrose Veterinary Group 4712 41 Street Camrose, AB T4V 0Z6 Phone: 780-672-3171 Fax: 780-672-9947 E-Mail: camvetgr@telusplanet.net Type of practice: mixed	Clearwater Veterinary Clinic PO Box 1828, 5214 44 Street Rocky Mtn House, AB T4T 1B4 Phone: 403-845-5353 Fax: 403-845-2880 Type of practice: mixed	Crestomere Veterinary Services Ltd. c/o Box 4, Site 4, RR 3 Lacombe, AB T4L 2N3 Phone: 403-782-2225 Fax: 403-782-5102 Type of Practice: large animal
D & R Veterinary Services Ltd RR 5 Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 1X2 Phone: 780-352-8483 Fax: 780-352-8821 E-Mail: drbell1@telus.net Type of practice: equine	Equine Services Ltd 244071 Panorama Ridge SW Calgary, AB T3Z 3L6 Phone: 403-242-1913 Fax: 403-242-9361 E-Mail: eslvet@telus.net Type of practice: equine	Edmonton Equine Veterinary Services (1998) Inc 12215 William Short Road Edmonton, AB T5B 2B7 Phone: 780-477-1260 Fax: 780-477-1407 Type of practice: equine
Edson Veterinary Clinic 4403 2nd Avenue Edson, AB T7E 1C1 Phone: 780-723-3354 Fax: 780-723-5992 Type of practice: mixed	Forestburg Veterinary Clinic (1998) Ltd. PO Box 310 Forestburg, AB T0B 1N0 Ph: 780-582-3970 Fax: 780-582-4155 E-mail: drieft5@hotmail.com Type of practice: large animal	Green Acres Animal Hospital 4651 24 Avenue S Lethbridge, AB T1K 7G1 Phone: 403-327-8660 Fax: 403-327-8385 Type of practice: mixed
Highview Animal Clinic Ltd 1104 18 Street SE High River, AB T1V 2A6 Phone: 403-652-1300 Fax: 403-652-1713 E-Mail: haclinic@telusplanet.net Type of practice: mixed	Innisfail Veterinary Services 5239 - 50 Street Innisfail AB T4G 1S1 Ph: 403-227-3535 Fax: 403-227-3329 E-mail: innvet@telus.net Type of practice: mixed	Krebs Veterinary Services PO Box 1180 Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0 Phone: 403-335-3519 Fax: 403-335-3572 Type of practice: mixed
Lacombe Veterinary Centre 5828 HWY 2A Lacombe, AB T4L 2G5 Phone: 403-782-3688 Fax: 403-782-2926 Type of practice: mixed	Lac La Biche Veterinary Services Ltd. Box 1529 Lac La Biche, AB T0A 2C0 Ph: 780-623-2669 Fax: 780-623-9668 Type of practice: mixed	Moore & Co Veterinary Services Ltd PO Box 460 Balzac, AB T0M 0E0 Phone: 403-226-2585 Fax: 403-226-1381 Type of practice: large animal
Nanton Veterinary Clinic PO Box 580 Nanton, AB T0L 1R0 Phone: 403-646-2060 Fax: 403-646-3005 Type of practice: mixed	Okotoks Animal Clinic PO Box 368 Okotoks, AB T1S 1A6 Phone: 403-938-4096 Fax: 403-938-7089 Type of practice: mixed	Olds Veterinary Centre Ltd 6110 Imperial Way Olds, AB T4H 1M5 Phone: 403-556-6882 Fax: 403-556-1033 Type of practice: mixed
Overton Equine Health Services #33, 6740 Johnstone Dr Red Deer, AB T4P 3Y2 Phone: 403-357-0163 Fax: 403-343-7399 E-Mail: katrynagarrett@hotmail.com Type of practice: equine	Peace River Veterinary Clinic 7710 100 Avenue Peace River, AB T8S 1M5 Phone: 780-624-1606 Fax: 780-624-8603 E-Mail: PRVC@telus.net Type of practice: mixed	Ponoka Veterinary Clinic 5502 HWY 2A Ponoka, AB T4J 1M1 Phone: 403-783-4348 Fax: 403-783-5166 Type of practice: mixed
Poplar Grove Veterinary Services Ltd 4408 42 Avenue Innisfail, AB T4G 1P6 Phone: 403-227-4701 Fax: 403-227-4702 Type of practice: mixed	Poultry Health Services 97 East Lake Ramp NE Airdrie, AB T4A 0C3 Phone: 403-948-8577 Fax: 403-948-2063 Type of practice: avian	Rimbey Veterinary Clinic (1991) Ltd 4605 50 Avenue, Box 389 Rimbey, AB T0C 2J0 Phone: 403-843-2234 Fax: 403-843-3399 Type of practice: mixed
Rocky Rapids Veterinary Services PO Box 6870 Drayton Valley, AB T7A 1S2 Phone: 780-542-2144 Fax: 780-542-6772 Type of practice: mixed	Shacklady Veterinary Services Box 159, Okotoks, AB T1S 1A5 Phone: 403-938-6993 Fax: 403-938-2384 E-Mail: shacklad@telusplanet.net Type of practice: mixed	St. Paul Veterinary Clinic 5412 50 Avenue St Paul, AB T0A 3A1 Phone: 780-645-3921 Fax: 780-645-5220 E-Mail: spvetclinic@mcsnet.ca Type of practice: mixed
Stettler Veterinary Clinic PO Box 1120 Stettler, AB T0C 2L0 Phone: 403-742-3338 Fax: 403-742-1170 E-Mail: stetvet@stevet.com Type of practice: mixed/general	Vermilion Veterinary Clinic 4401 47 Ave Vermilion, AB T9X 1L5 Phone: 780-853-5904 Fax: 780-853-2845 E-Mail: vermvet@telusplanet.net Type of practice: mixed	West County Animal Clinic PO Box 326 Beaverlodge, AB T0H 0C0 Phone: 780-354-3550 Fax: 780-354-2506 Type of practice: mixed
West Wind Veterinary Hospital 51136 Range Rd 212 Sherwood Park, AB T8G 1E7 Phone: 780-662-0112 Fax: 780-662-0110 E-Mail: westvet@telus.net Type of practice: equine	Wetaskiwin Animal Clinic 4735 39 Avenue Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 2J4 Phone: 780-352-7006 Fax: 780-352-7390 E-Mail: scholten@agt.net Type of practice: mixed	Wetaskiwin Veterinary Hospital 4808 40 Avenue Wetaskiwin, AB T9A 0A2 Phone: 780-352-6036 Fax: 780-352-6038 E-Mail: wet_vet@telus.net Type of practice: mixed