TV role as veterinarian gives UCalgary alum an opportunity to inspire Indigenous youth

As children, many of us dream of making a difference but often lack the road map to do so. For Dr. Emma Jackson, BSc'18, DVM'22, a University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) alum, this dream became a reality as she carved her path toward becoming an inspiring role model and advocate for accessible veterinary care. 

Growing up in Saddle Lake Cree Nation, a remote community two hours northeast of Edmonton, Jackson's parents, both post-secondary graduates themselves, instilled in her the importance of education, which laid a strong foundation for her future. This foundation was further solidified by a pivotal moment as a youth when she volunteered with the Canadian Animal Task Force at a spay/neuter clinic in her community.

“I remember volunteering in the recovery section and my very significant role (at least to me) was to sit with the dogs after surgery and keep them covered up with blankets,” says Jackson. “After that experience, I saw myself more in the medical role of vet med.”

These early experiences set her on a path filled with both ambition and obstacles.

Not only did she have to do some tough jobs, but she also had to do upgrading to ensure her courses and grades were up to competitive admission standards. Gaining admission to a professional faculty like UCVM is highly competitive, with many talented applicants competing for a limited number of spots.

This competition often leads admission committees to seek candidates who have excelled in extracurricular activities such as volunteering, clubs and leadership roles. However, these requirements can inadvertently create inequalities. Opportunities for volunteering and leadership may be scarce for those who must work to support their families, live in areas with limited volunteer options, or lack the financial means to participate in clubs and sports.

“I worked in vet clinics over summers and as a CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) meat inspector for a summer, which gave me hard-to-gain experience with production animals,” Jackson says.

She also had the financial support of Saddle Lake Cree Nation to help clear the other major hurdle of tuition costs. "Tuition costs that may not seem that expensive to one family, may be out of reach for another,” Jackson says.

Transitioning to veterinary school, even with the support of her community, presented its own set of challenges. The shift to a bustling urban environment, away from the comfort of friends and family, felt overwhelming. 

Navigating these hurdles has inspired Jackson to not only persevere, but to also advocate for greater representation and accessibility within the field.

Never on Jackson’s career trajectory was a foray into TV stardom. But, after being approached on more than one occasion by the Aboriginal People’s Television Network (APTN) about joining Wild Rose Vets, a docuseries about three Indigenous veterinarians, she realized the positives that could come from a wider audience.

“I was really lucky to have the financial support of my reserve, and the emotional support of my family, but not everyone has that,” Jackson says. “That’s why, for me, representation (to youths on reserve) is the most important thing, to show them through media that becoming a veterinarian is possible and not something that seems out of reach or a path they can’t take.

“I also wanted to give animal-welfare organizations the platform of the TV show so that, ideally, they could have increased funding. In the end, money is the most important component of accessibility. As a volunteer at AARCS (Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society) I suggested them to the producers as a site to do the show. They’re an organization with good intentions and have shown to have long-standing relations with Indigenous communities, rather than traditional one-and-done philanthropy.”

Jackson highlights the challenge of accessibility in more than one front. A recent episode of Wild Rose Vets took her to Ahousaht, B.C. A 45-minute boat ride from Tofino and accessible only by water or air, Ahousaht embodies both the geographical and cultural isolation faced by many Indigenous communities. With the community being a "veterinary desert," Jackson's team needed to bring all of their own medications, instruments, even generators and water, and pack out used materials, including medical waste water — a huge challenge in itself.

“Making vet care more accessible to isolated, rural communities is challenging," says Jackson. "There is no simple solution, and it will take time to dismantle the system that was intentionally created to cause disparity. It will require a boots on the ground approach along with sustainable funding.”  
Addressing the systemic barriers to veterinary care in rural areas requires not only strategic groundwork, but also overcoming the persistent funding challenges that pervade the non-profit sector.

Within many sectors, funding is allocated disproportionately to urban centres. The heavy reliance on volunteerism also brings a burden. While volunteers are a great way to extend resources, bringing a caring passion to a cause, an over-reliance leads to inconsistent and unsustainable services. “These communities need salaried employees and consistent services," Jackson says. "They need to see a true commitment.”

Jackson is ready to put her boots on the ground. Her work is a testament to entrepreneurial thinking, taking initiative and being resourceful in addressing complex issues. Her story is a powerful reminder of how one person can start something significant, inspiring others to follow.

You can watch her in action on APTN’s Wild Rose Vets, available on Lumi. Or come see her in practice, working alongside other UCVM alumni at Village Vets.