Atlantic Veterinary College welcomes Class of 2026

The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island officially welcomed a new cohort of 68 students during the AVC-Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Blue Coat Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, August 26.

A deeply rooted tradition at AVC, Blue Coat Ceremony welcomes the incoming class and symbolizes the start of their veterinary medicine journey. This year marked the first time since 2019 that students were able to be cloaked in their blue coats by friends and family – a tradition that had to be suspended for the past two years due to COVID-19 guidelines.

“Many of these students have dreamed of becoming veterinarians since they were young children,” explains Dr. John VanLeeuwen, interim dean, AVC. “So, it is a special moment for parents, family, and/or supporters to cloak their new veterinary student in their blue coat and see that dream realized.”

Hosted by Drs. VanLeeuwen and Trevor Lawson (DVM ’04), president-elect, CVMA, the ceremony includes dinner, speeches, and the presentation of blue coats. Students will wear their blue coats throughout their four years at AVC until they graduate and participate in a white coat ceremony.

“Being accepted into a doctor of veterinary medicine program is extremely challenging,” says Dr. VanLeeuwen. “Blue Coat Ceremony provides an opportunity for the new veterinary students and their families to reflect on that achievement, and for AVC to welcome them into our veterinary community.”