For the past three years, each May has involved a red-eye flight for Dr. Peter Parke.
Five days and 200 interviews later, the OVC alum hops on another flight back to his mixed animal veterinary practice, Tsolum Mobile Veterinary Health, near Courtenay, B.C., on the east coast of Vancouver Island.
In between Parke participates in almost every session of OVC’s Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) to select student veterinarian candidates for the next academic year’s cohort. In 2016, this involved meeting 192 of 200 students attending the MMIs.
Dr. Peter Parke, OVC 2000, Tsolum Mobile Veterinary Health
Parke says he does it to give back to the University of Guelph “because it was a big player in my life. I really enjoyed not only the academic but the athletic communities as well.” But the MMI process is also an important piece. “I’m interested in education and I’m interested in the interview process,” he adds. “I want to meet prospective students and see what the future of our industry looks like.”
Parke completed an M.Sc. in animal breeding at the Ontario Agricultural College before entering OVC. He completed his DVM in 2000 and returned to Vancouver Island to mixed-animal practice.
The week he spends in Guelph is also an opportunity to connect with students who may be interested in an externship or elective rotation with his Vancouver Island practice. “That is the key to a successful veterinary career: what you do on your externships,” he adds. “I like to meet with them during the week to get to know them,” he adds. “This is important so we can develop relationships and have a continuous flow of good students into our practice.”