Photo by Zena Polin

Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine was founded in 1982 and has since graduated more than 1,800 veterinarians from its beautiful campus located a short drive outside Basseterre, St. Kitts.

The mission of Ross University School of Vetesrinary Medicine is met through a seven-semester Pre-clinical Curriculum. The final three semester Clinical Curriculum is accomplished though contractual agreements with one of 23 AVMA accredited university veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States. The Pre-clinical Curriculum is a rigorous, comprehensive program delivered by a traditional lecture-and-laboratory learning experience. The program is enhanced through a series of Introduction to Clinics courses that provide small group instruction and hands-on animal experience through our community practice, ambulatory practice, or working with University-owned-and-maintained herds of cattle, horses, donkeys, and sheep.

The School has graduated over 1,800 veterinarians since its inception. Nearly all students are American or Canadian citizens and return to North America to become licensed and pursue their careers. Graduates are eligible for licensure in all 50 states and Canada. The program has a rolling admissions process, and a new semester begins three times a year: January, May, and September. Each semester is 15 weeks long, including final exam week. Typically, the January and May semester breaks are two weeks long, and the end of the September semester break is three weeks. Each semester, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine has a one-day mid-semester break.

Research programs began in 2005. Since St. Kitts is an important nesting ground for the critically endangered hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles as well as endangered green sea turtles, the Sea Turtle Conservation Program is particularly important. Nesting runs year round, which affords a multitude of research opportunities. St. Kitts is also one of few islands in the Caribbean where the green monkey has been endemic since it was introduced from Africa over 300 years ago.

Students are involved in PAWS which is an international organization for stray animals. The upper semester students have a rotation with the government veterinarians where they go to local farms and treat animals free of charge. The Community Practice provides care for local animals and exotics.
Students have the option of living on the newly constructed dorms, which are wired with cable television, high speed internet and wireless internet, or in apartments located around the island. Students take part in a variety of community outreach programs, including care of Kittitian pets and working farm animals.

While classes are competitive, student life is enjoyable. On weekends, many congregate at Turtle Beach to play volleyball, eat freshly caught lobster and snorkel the reefs. Some decide to water taxi over to Oualie Beach in Nevis and spend a few hours on the sister island.