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The donation of a lifetime

July 20th, 2021

Jacqueline (Jacqui) Shumiatcher, a dedicated supporter of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s (WCVM) Companion Animal Health Fund (CAHF) and long-time member of its advisory board, passed away on February 1, 2021, at the age of 97. Jacqui and her husband, Dr. Morris Shumiatcher, were well known throughout Saskatchewan for their generous philanthropy initiatives. “Jacqui and her husband Morris had …

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jacqui shumiatcher

A gift to last

The Companion Animal Health Fund (CAHF), a veterinary research fund at the University of Saskatchewan, has received a significant legacy gift from the estate of Dr. Michael Powell, a beloved small animal veterinarian who served the Saskatoon community for 35 years. The final value of Powell’s gift is estimated to be over $800,000. “Words are just not adequate to really …

May 28th, 2019 Full story »

Sophie’s pet projects

When Sophie Katarynych was growing up during the 1930s, her parents didn’t have a lot of money, but they were always willing to lend a hand to other people. Katarynych has lived her life following their example. Over the years Katarynych had plenty of opportunities to help people through her nursing and flight attendant careers, but she also resolved to …

July 06th, 2017 Full story »

Pets bond Gibbs’ work and life

Dr. Brian Gibbs’ decision to become a veterinarian was greatly influenced by one person: his grandmother. “She was probably the last person in Saskatoon to raise chickens and sell eggs,” says Gibbs. “And when I was a kid, I used to catch the city bus over to her place on Friday nights and spend the weekend helping her. I’d look …

August 18th, 2014 Full story »

RCMP officers donated to the WCVM's Good Samaritan Fund in memory of Rev, an RCMP police service dog. Photo courtesy of Cpl. Andy Brown.

Comrades honour RCMP police service dog

“Rev” was an RCMP police service dog that spent most of his life protecting and helping people in Western Canada. The dedicated, hard-working German shepherd was close to retirement when tragedy struck last spring: Rev was involved in a car accident near Saskatoon, Sask., and died of his injuries on June 14, 2013. “It was a bad car accident that …

December 22nd, 2013 Full story »

Pets leave impression on Edmonton couple

Jim Dobie and his wife Terri Schindel first met while walking their dogs. “I had a golden retriever and Terri had two Welsh springer spaniels – it was kind of a Brady bunch as far as a fused household,” Dobie recalls. The couple now live in Edmonton, Alta., where Dobie is employed as a senior associate with an architectural firm …

May 18th, 2012 Full story »

Dr. Gord Goodridge, Dr. Tawni Silver and Dr. Doug Freeman

“Santa Paws for Pets” backs pet research

For one day every December, Winnipeg veterinarian Dr. Gord Goodridge (WCVM ’75) trades in his stethoscope for a red velvet suit and plays Ol’ St. Nick at the Centennial Animal Hospital’s annual Christmas fundraiser. But while other Santa Clauses bestow their “Ho Ho Hos” on young children, Goodridge shares his lap with a variety of furry, four-legged creatures during the …

April 11th, 2012 Full story »

Making the world a better place

For Judy Davis of Vancouver, B.C., a typical week is packed with volunteer activities. Even though she’s been retired for several years, the busy octogenarian divides her time among a wide variety of community organizations including a seniors’ centre as well as a health information and referral centre. Another organization on her regular volunteer list is the University of British …

February 03rd, 2012 Full story »

WCVM honours RCMP dog handler

A new patient examination room in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s renovated teaching hospital at the University of Saskatchewan has been named after Corporal James Galloway, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police service dog handler who was killed while on duty four years ago in Edmonton, Alta. “Corporal Galloway was committed to caring for the health and well being of …

July 19th, 2008 Full story »