Celebrating the heroes behind the Atlantic Veterinary College’s blood donor program
For over 17 years, Andrea Jack has proudly coordinated a vital initiative at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), UPEI—the voluntary canine blood donor program.
As a registered veterinary technician with the AVC Small Animal Internal Medicine Service, Jack has created and nurtured the program, which not only saves lives but also celebrates the dogs and their families who make it all possible.
Currently, the program has 21 dogs enrolled as blood donors. These pups, owned by clients, staff, and students, voluntarily donate blood every two to three months. In return, they receive a comprehensive health care package, including annual wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite prevention, and blood work, at no cost to their family.
“Blood is essential,” Jack explains. “There’s no alternative. If an animal needs blood, we need to give it to them.”
The program gives back to patients in more than one way, with every unit of donated blood used to the maximum. The blood is separated into a unit of packed red blood cells and a unit of plasma. The red blood cells can be given to one animal, and the plasma frozen and given to another animal later. In cases where whole blood is needed, the components can be combined for the patient.
“We couldn’t run our hospital without these dogs,” Jack says. “Blood is expensive and can be difficult to get to the Island. Having a reliable source here is invaluable.”
To celebrate these four-legged heroes, the program held its annual Pictures with Santa event on December 8. Jack’s entire family joined in with her husband, Ben, playing Santa. Her son, Henry, took photographs, and her daughter, Hannah, handed out treat bags. Each pooch was excited to sit on Santa’s lap, pose for a photo, and, of course, get a treat!
“It’s just a small way to give back,” Jack says. “These dogs and their families are truly lifesavers. It’s a privilege to honour them.”
The program is always looking to welcome new donors. Eligible dogs must be
- healthy and even-tempered
- between one and five years old
- over 50 pounds
- up to date on preventative care
Additionally, female dogs must not have had litters, and all participants must be in good health and not currently taking medications.
If you are interested in enrolling your dog in the program, you can request an application through our Client Services team at the AVC Teaching Hospital by emailing vthreception@upei.ca or calling 902-566-0950. You can also email Andrea Jack directly at ajack@upei.ca.
