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.

Vanessa Biegen DVM, Class of 2011	Pamela Govett, DVM, Dipl. ACZM Assistant Professor	Nina Nardi, DVM DVM, Class of 2007
“On one of my rotations, we went to an organization in Los Angeles called LA PAWS. This organization provides veterinary care for animals of senior citizens and people with terminal illnesses who are in a minimum income bracket. We met some wonderful, grateful people and animals that day and it was such a nice experience to get out of our own little world and actually use what we had been learning to help others.” “One of the clinical rotations we do in our first and second years is with VACs. VAC is a clinic on wheels that travels to shelters and rescue organizations to offer low-cost veterinary service to the people and animals who need it the most." Beyond the classroom: I help with the Zoo, Wildlife, Exotic, & Aquatic Animal Medicine Club. I¿ve enjoyed sharing my field with students in lectures and laboratories, as well as on field trips to places like the Long Beach Aquarium. I¿m also working with the California Science Center to establish and provide health care for their aquarium and other animal exhibits. Courses Taught: Aquatic Animal Medicine Avian and Reptile Clinical Skills Veterinary Ambulatory Community Service (VACS) Program 4th year Rotation Administrator 1st and 2nd year Problem Based Learning Facilitator   Research Interests: Pharmacokinetic study on koi Cause of metastatic calcification in elasmobranches Cataract development in sea lions E-mail me WesternU distinctive: I would have to say problem based learning is still unique in the eyes of many traditional veterinary programs. Problem based learning is a unique way to learn and create a basis for life long learning. In practice, every day, every case is approached in ways very similar to what we learned at WesternU and it really helps one prepare to tackle the unknown. Value of a WesternU education: I would say the commitment to life long learning as well as developing the ability to teach oneself and come up with answers to a new and challenging case is the most valuable aspect of Western's veterinary program. I've had senior veterinarians impressed with my ability to deal with new cases, but I'm able to do so because of the problem based learning and teaching methods we were exposed to at WesternU.