Veterinary Student Employment Program (VetSTEP)
Manitoba Agriculture values the practical experience that veterinary, pre-veterinary and veterinary technology (VT) students gain during a summer work term with a rural veterinary practice. To encourage this work experience, clinics and businesses can apply for a VetSTEP grant to provide summer employment to:
- Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) students who have completed their first, second or third year
- Veterinary Technologist (VT) students who have completed their first year from a Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) accredited program or
- Pre-veterinary students who have completed their first, second, third or fourth year of science.
Program Documents and Forms
VetSTEP Grant Assistance Available
The grant assistance available is based on the most recent year of study completed by the student at an eligible academic institution:
- WCVM students who have completed their first year ($6500), second and third year students ($5000)
- VT students who have completed their first year of a CVMA accredited program ($6500)
- Pre-veterinary students who have completed their first, second, third or fourth year of science ($6500)
To receive the full grant, the applicant must employ the student for 471.25 hours or more during the summer. If the student is paid fewer hours, the grant payment will be prorated based on the hours worked.
Who Can Apply for a VetSTEP Grant?
Veterinary practices and practitioners licensed to operate an active, large or mixed animal practice located in rural Manitoba are eligible to participate in the program. Clinics and practitioners specializing in small animal medicine are not eligible.
Businesses and non-profit organizations operating a livestock operation in rural Manitoba are eligible if they employ or have a service contract with a veterinarian licensed to practice large or mixed animal medicine in Manitoba. The veterinarian must directly supervise the student.
Connecting Students and Employers
Veterinary clinics and practitioners interested in hiring a veterinary student can place an online job posting on the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association’s Student Practice Opportunities web page (https://www.mvma.ca/student-practice-opportunities/).
Clinics looking to hire a veterinary technology student can place and online job posting on the Manitoba Veterinary Technologists Association’s (MVTA) Student Summer Employment web page (https://mymvta.ca/vt-student-summer-employment).
Summer job opportunities can also be posted on the Summer Employment for Veterinary Students web page (https://wcvm.usask.ca/students/dvm-program/summer-employment/summer-jobs-all.php) for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).
Application Process and Deadline
Interested employers must submit a scan of their Application Form by May 7, 2026 to:
Email: VSD@gov.mb.ca
Both the student and employer must sign the application form.
Application Review
If applications exceed the available funding, positions will be filled considering the following criteria:
- Home province and year of study of student being hired
- Type of large animal services provided and number of students requested by the employer
- Date of application
In 2025, the program funded summer work terms for 24 veterinary students.
Employers will normally be informed by mid-March if their grant application has been approved. They will be emailed a funding decision letter to be signed and returned to VSD@gov.mb.ca
How to Submit Claim Statement
a) Prior to submitting the claim:
Employers must provide a copy of the employee's Record of Employment to the student and have them complete the Student Record of Employment Declaration form.
b) Submission of the claim:
When the summer work term is completed, the employer submits three documents:
- Claim Statement signed by the employer
- Copy of the students Record of Employment(ROE) for the summer work term
- ROE Declaration Form signed by the student
Email scans of these documents to VSD@gov.mb.ca. Paper copies are not required.
For More Information
Contact VetSTEP by emailing VSD@gov.mb.ca or calling Omotola Ologbenla (204-729-1387).