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August 13, 2003
Shooting begins at Atlantic Veterinary College
The doc series, commissioned by Global Television for delivery in early 2004, gives viewers an in-depth look at one of North America’s leading animal hospitals, Charlottetown’s Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of PEI. The series explores the human-animal bond – from the recoveries to the losses, and everything in-between. It provides a portrait of the veterinary specialists, the technology and expertise that are integral to the success of Canada’s smallest veterinary teaching hospital. It also takes viewers on location throughout Atlantic Canada as vets and students tend to the needs of their animal clientele. The AVC team has come to PEI from all over the world, and is dedicated to both education and to maintaining the college’s reputation as a global leader in veterinary medicine. The struggles and triumphs of the veterinary students blend into the goings-on at AVC. What emerges is a series that is both compelling and dynamic. It is not “blood and guts” television, nor is it laced with saccharine.
Gretha Rose of Cellar Door Productions says, “It’s great to work with Donna Leon and Genuine Pictures on this project. It has been another chance for us to do a project almost entirely on PEI, with both Ontario and PEI personnel.”
Genuine Pictures’ Donna Leon is writing and directing the series. “The faculty, staff, students and administrators at AVC are incredible. In the short time since we’ve been here in PEI, a number of engaging stories have emerged. The cooperation and support we’ve received is, quite frankly, astounding. It makes the job of telling these stories much easier than I had anticipated”.
Genuine Pictures and Cellar Door Productions are well suited as co-producing partners as both are award-winning production companies with a history of producing children’s, lifestyle and documentary programming for a variety of Canadian and International networks. Genuine Pictures president, Donna Leon was nominated for a Gemini last year for her work on Reluctant Hero: The Donald Marshall Story, for CBC Television.