Veterinary Incentive Program helps new veterinarian build a career in northern Ontario

When newly licensed veterinarian Riley Bauman graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in 2025, she already had a strong sense of where she wanted to begin her career. After completing an eight-week placement at Temiskaming Veterinary Services during veterinary school, she experienced first-hand the unique opportunities and supportive environment that a northern Ontario veterinary practice had to offer.

Today, Bauman is an associate veterinarian and part of the team at Temiskaming Veterinary Services in New Liskeard, an eight-veterinarian mixed animal practice serving communities across the Temiskaming, Cochrane and Timmins districts. The clinic’s small animal hospital also welcomes patients from across northern Ontario and Quebec, with some clients travelling more than four hours one-way for care.

Finding the right fit

For Bauman, the decision to return to the clinic after graduation was shaped by both professional opportunity and mentorship.

“I appreciate the supportive and respectful team, the great clients and all of the learning opportunities,” she says. “Here in northern Ontario, I have a lot more opportunities. I get to see a wide variety of animals and perform a lot more procedures compared to a clinic in southern Ontario, where they would typically refer some cases to specialized facilities,” reflects Bauman. “And I know I have support from my clinic colleagues every step of the way.”

That hands-on experience has accelerated her growth as a veterinarian. With fewer specialized services available in the region, veterinarians in northern Ontario are often able to work through complex and unique cases that might otherwise be referred elsewhere.

She credits strong support and mentorship as one of the most important factors for new graduates entering the profession. “My advice to new vet grads is to find a placement or clinic with a good mentor,” she says. “I’m really grateful for everyone at the Temiskaming clinic.”

Lance Males is one of the owners of the Temiskaming Veterinary Services and says creating that supportive environment is a priority for the practice, especially when it comes to attracting new hires. With nearly 30 staff members and more than 4,000 active clients, the clinic offers a broad range of experiences for veterinarians early in their careers.

Building a life in the north

“Though it can be challenging at times, being a veterinarian is an amazing career with multiple avenues to make a difference in the lives of our patients, our clients and communities,” says Males. He notes that northern practices also offer lifestyle advantages that appeal to many young veterinarians. In fact, that was another reason Bauman was drawn to northern Ontario. In her spare time, she enjoys backcountry camping and has even joined the local hockey team. One of the biggest surprises about moving to the area, she says, was how easy it was to get involved in the community, and how welcoming people have been.

“With housing prices comparatively lower than more southern locations in the province, many early career veterinarians can afford to purchase their own home while still paying off their student loans,” he explains. “Small farms and lakeside properties are also more attainable, so the vets can have an enjoyable lifestyle outside of practice.”

At work, veterinarians continue to expand their skills and experience through the variety of cases they encounter. Males explains that veterinarians have the opportunity to work on multiple species because there isn’t anyone else available, and though specialized cases can require more time in research and discussion, “they are usually the most rewarding and the ones that end up making the best stories.”

VIP supports recruitment and retention

Bauman first heard about the Veterinary Incentive Program (VIP) while at the OVC. The Temiskaming clinic was already familiar with the program and encouraged her to apply as part of her transition into practice.

Delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council, the VIP encourages newly licensed veterinarians to practice in underserviced areas of Ontario, like northern Ontario, by providing an incentive of up to $50,000, distributed over five years.

For Bauman, the program was an added incentive that helped her make her final decision. “I appreciate the program,” she says. “It was a bonus and another reason to choose to relocate to the Temiskaming clinic.”

Males says the program helps practices like his remain competitive when recruiting veterinarians to underserved regions. “The VIP funds are appreciated,” he says. “I like that this program is paid directly to the veterinarian and, if the practice is competitive, it may help tip the balance to get the new vet to sign on.”

Temiskaming Veterinary Services also participates in several additional initiatives to support recruitment and professional development, including the Ontario Veterinary College externship program, the Veterinary Assistance Program and the Northern Ontario Internship Program.

For Males, those partnerships are helping create a strong future for veterinary care in northern Ontario, and Bauman is an example of that success.

“Riley is an absolutely outstanding veterinarian and person,” he says, “and we’re hopeful she will set down permanent roots in our area.”

Interested in applying to the Veterinary Incentive Program?

Launched in fall 2023, the Veterinary Incentive Program (VIP) has provided $950,000 in funding for 20 veterinarians, working with 16 clinics across Ontario.

Want to be the next VIP recipient, or perhaps do you know someone who may be eligible?

Application intake for VIP is open until March 31, 2027. Eligibility VIP requirements include:

• be newly licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario within five years of applying
• work full-time in a food animal or mixed animal practice servicing food animals
• work or provide services to food animals in an underserviced area in Ontario
• provide in-person, regular on-farm, and/or emergency on-farm services

Apply today – submit a completed application through AAC’s application portal.

Learn more today or email your questions to AAC at admin@adaptcouncil.org.

The Veterinary Incentive Program is funded by the Government of Ontario to provide grants for newly licensed veterinarians who practice on food animals in underserviced areas of Ontario. The Agricultural Adaptation Council is delivering the Program on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.