The Canadian Kennel Club is proud to continue to support the five veterinary colleges in Canada in 2025 through our CKC Veterinary Bursary, allowing students to continue their education in the field of veterinary medicine.
We are pleased to announce that Alissa Flight is the 2025 CKC Bursary Award recipient at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island. We are thankful to CKC Member, Andy Wedge, who attended the Atlantic Veterinary College Recognition Night on October 1.
Alissa sent this thank you CKC:
Dear Members of the Canadian Kennel Club,
I am sincerely honoured to be chosen as the recipient of the 2025 Canadian Kennel Club Veterinary Student Award. This recognition means so much to me as I complete my final year at the Atlantic Veterinary College and prepare for a career in small animal general practice with a special interest in theriogenology.
Growing up in a small town in Newfoundland, I always knew I wanted to dedicate my life to working with animals. My journey has taken me from completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a focus on Comparative Animal Anatomy, to working with Elanco Animal Health producing salmon vaccines, and now into veterinary medicine. Throughout this journey, my constant companion has been my Dandie Dinmont Terrier, Hotshot Hamish. With him, I have learned the joys of conformation showing, canine sports, and the importance of celebrating and preserving purebred dogs. He has been both a partner in my extracurricular endeavors and a teacher in the learning laboratories at AVC, where he helps fellow students gain hands-on experience.
Alongside my studies, I have had the privilege of volunteering locally with the PEI Lady Slipper Kennel Club and internationally with the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America as their social media chairperson. These opportunities have deepened my commitment to the CKC’s mission and strengthened my appreciation for the purebred dog community.
This award provides not only financial support, but also encouragement and inspiration as I continue learning and building lasting connections with classmates, clinicians, and the broader dog community. I am deeply grateful to CKC for investing in students like myself, and I look forward to carrying forward the values of responsible stewardship and excellence in veterinary medicine throughout my career.
Thank you again for this incredible honour.
With gratitude,
Alissa Flight
Class of 2026, Atlantic Veterinary College
