Philanthropy matters for program accreditation
Donor puts shine on veterinary program
When TRU’s veterinary technology program received national accreditation in 2023, it came with a stipulation — the clinic’s countertops would need to be upgraded to meet current standards. At the steep cost of $100,000, the countertops were a necessary but expensive requirement. Thanks to a generous donation, cost did not hold the program back.
“We planned to pick away at the project as we could. Then Guy Mercier and his family were here for a tour — we started talking about the accreditation and the need for upgraded countertops and he said he was interested in helping. It’s a wonderful gift,” says department chair Heather Shannon, noting that, thanks to the substantial gift, the upgrade was completed all at once, extending to classrooms and beyond.
Mercier has a long history of philanthropy at TRU that includes funding for capital projects, student endowments and faculty needs. His philanthropic giving to TRU continues to grow, with his most recent focus on the veterinary technology program. A donation toward the purchase of a large animal simulator led to Mercier’s latest gift.
In 2022, donors were invited to support Fund-A-Need to raise money for large animal simulators (a horse simulator and a cow simulator) for veterinary technology training. The initiative was successful thanks to generous donors like Mercier, and it grew donor interest in one of the university’s more unique programs, one of only two veterinary technology schools in BC.
“I feel that the vet tech program is a good cause and I like to contribute tangible items – things I can touch and feel,” says Mercier, whose daughter Aimee is a veterinarian and TRU alum.
“I know how important high-quality education is for veterinary and animal health professionals,” he says.
While the old countertops met quality standards when they were installed years ago, upon their removal, despite diligent disinfecting and cleaning protocols, the dust and animal hair trapped along the seams provided evidence of just how important the seamless, stainless-steel upgrade is. With the upgrade extending beyond the clinic space, both animals and students are benefiting.
“The students love that they can bring animals into the classrooms — they can be studying but also have a cat on their lap. Now keeping those areas clean will be so much easier,” says Shannon, adding that maximizing human and animal interactions benefit the students’ mental health while also providing the necessary socialization for the animals that will help them get adopted.
Rescued dogs and cats make their home on campus during the fall and winter semesters and are then placed with their forever families. Upon adoption, all animals have been spayed or neutered, fully vaccinated, health checked and socialized.
“I feel that the vet tech program is a good cause and I like to contribute tangible items — things I can touch and feel.”
