Welcome

In 2003 WesternU's College of Veterinary Medicine opened its doors to students, and already we have a stellar reputation as an innovative school with top faculty that prepares competent and compassionate veterinarians.

We are a "college without walls" with many clinical partners in the community and around the world. As a student you will experience extensive interaction with animals beginning your first semester, working alongside faculty and veterinarians in the local area and beyond. After completing our four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, you will be well prepared to enter a rewarding career caring for animals as a veterinarian.

Why choose WesternU? We have a nationally recognized program and offer: 

• an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited program.
• problem-based learning (PBL) where you will investigate veterinary cases in small groups.
• an opportunity to learn how to heal animals without harming them for educational purposes.
  This is our guiding reverence for life philosophy.
• a curriculum that prepares you to work with a wide variety of animals, including small companion animals, horses, food animals, exotics and wildlife.
• extensive clinical experience where you have the opportunity to experience large caseloads.
• numerous partnerships with other universities including Cal Poly Pomona and UCLA, area animal clinics, emergency facilities, specialty practices and humane societies.
• numerous corporate partners such as Banfield, The Pet Hospital, and the Los Angeles Zoo.
• a small, private, health-focused institution that fosters interprofessional learning with other health professions.
  
• rich array of student club and volunteer opportunities.
• multi-national faculty with diverse expertise.
• outstanding student support services including tutoring and disability resources. 
• Southern California location with tremendous clinical training opportunities as well as access to
  major cultural and recreational resources.

For more information, please join us for an information session,
complete the information request form or contact us.

Meet some of our College of Veterinary Medicine students, faculty and alumni and read their candid thoughts about their experiences at WesternU. Move your mouse over each picture to read more about that individual.

Melanie Goodstein DVM, Class of 2009	Gini Barrett, BS Associate Professor, Biomedical Ethics & Public Policy	Tracy Yen, DVM DVM, Class of 2008
Academic environment: During my first two years of school, I was in a study group with friends that met every week. I have also been able to schedule personal time with faculty when I felt like I needed extra help in specific areas. Time commitment: The curriculum here is very intense, but because it is a professional graduate program, it's what you should expect. While it’s tough, I have been able balance class, studying, and personal time while here at WesternU. Believe it or not, you can still have a personal life. Interprofessional education is an exciting, brilliant and important idea. The ability to look at clients/patients/people in all their complexities will enhance the ability of medical professionals to understand them, to communicate with them better, and therefore to improve care. As society and medical systems become more complicated, the ability to see the whole picture and talk to the whole individual becomes more and more important. Courses Taught: Veterinary Issues Research Interests: Animals in Entertainment Animal Hoarders Companion Animal Rescue Dangerous Dogs Farm Animal Welfare Assistance for Sick or Elderly People Pet Trusts Wild and Exotic Animals in Captivity E-mail me Career impact: I think I have learned how to function independently yet also be a good team player. There always is more than one way to achieve the same goal and other people's opinions are valuable even if you don’t agree with them. I think our program has focused heavily on interpersonal skills and that will help all of us go far. Best advice: The faculty is wonderful and you also get the opportunity to work with other clinicians who are great.