PEI

Atlantic Veterinary College gets $650K for new equipment

UPEI’s Atlantic Veterinary College is getting more than $650,000 from the federal government for the purchase and installation of new equipment.

Marine Natural Products Lab also gets $54K, Chemistry Department gets $97K

One piece of new equipment will help diagnose and treat medical conditions affecting equine athletes. (Shutterstock )

UPEI's Atlantic Veterinary College is getting more than $650,000 from the federal government for the purchase and installation of new equipment.

Minister of Agriculture and Agri Food Lawrence MacAulay and Charlottetown MP Sean Casey made the announcement Wednesday at UPEI.

The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's Business Development Program, is supporting two projects at AVC with a combined non-repayable contribution of $659,886.

AVC dean Dr. Greg Keefe said funding allowed for the purchase of new "state-of-the-art" equine and virology equipment.

"The equine equipment allows us to enhance our ability to diagnose and treat medical conditions affecting equine athletes such as standardbred race horses and equestrian competition horses," he said in a news release.

"And the virology equipment builds on our ability to maintain and protect the health of cattle and swine."

The UPEI Marine Natural Products Lab is also receiving a non-repayable contribution of $54,093, while the UPEI Chemistry Department is being provided with a non-repayable contribution of $97,500.