Dr. Clayton MacKay
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada (top)

CAHI Chair Rick Culbert presenting the 2009 CAHI Industry Leadership Award to Dr. Clayton MacKay.

Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) members recognized Dr. Clayton MacKay’s 40 year career as one of North America’s strongest proponents for the veterinary profession and its ability to positively impact both animal health and the human-animal bond with its 2009 Industry Leadership Award.  Dr. MacKay’s career spanning international borders and generations of veterinarians included acting as a passionate spokesperson for the veterinary profession on local, national and international levels.  He was instrumental in educating veterinarians on the importance of communication from the student level through to their national member associations.  In addition to lecturing worldwide on professional ethics, his contributions also touched on animal welfare, public relations, business practices and the improvement in the general understanding of veterinary medicine to the public.

As Director of Veterinary Affairs for Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada, Dr. MacKay has been recognized as an expert on the value of pet nutrition by academics, the veterinary team and pet owners.  Contributions to the Canadian Veterinary Journal, Veterinary Economics, Dogs in Canada among others, span from the early 1970s to today.  He remains a trusted and familiar spokesperson for a variety of professional associations both on radio and in television appearances on a variety of topics.

Upon receiving the award, MacKay indicated; “I’m both humbled and thrilled to receive such recognition for doing a job that I love, and my belief that one person really can make a difference.  The opportunity to be in the classroom, to engage the media and all the while meet so many members of this wonderful community has kept me as excited and as passionate about this profession and this industry as the day I graduated

Dr. Patricia Dowling
Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Canadian gFARAD (top)

CAHI President Jean Szkotnicki, 2008 ILA Recipient Dr. Patricia Dowling, CAHI Board of Directors Dr. Paul Dick.

Respected veterinary clinician, teacher and author Dr. Patricia Dowling was the recipient of the Canadian Animal Health Institute’s 2008 Industry Leadership Award. Dr. Dowling has presented herself as a formidable force in both the classroom, scientific literature and as a driving influence in the establishment of the Canadian gFARAD. The CgFARAD’s (global Food Animal Residue Avoidance Database) founding philosophy was that information about residue avoidance from all sources should be readily available from a scientific source. The CgFARAD contains information about approved drugs, but also includes information on extra label drug use and environmental toxins. This information is contained in a searchable database with residue and pharmacokinetic data which is analyzed and interpreted by pharmacologists and toxicologists. Veterinarians who encounter a situation where they are unsure of a withdrawal period are encouraged to contact the Canadian gFARAD (www.cgfarad.usask.ca), and their request is assigned to a pharmacologist who would then conduct a search of the literature and provide their recommendation for withdrawal periods.

"If I had to put a figure on the contributions that Trish has put into the Canadian animal health industry, I’d have to say she’s priceless," says CAHI President Jean Szkotnicki. "Trish has contributed to and authored over 15 book chapters, 22 peer reviewed scientific papers and 27 review papers. She has provided her expert opinion on numerous committees and even co-authored the Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, a staple in today’s veterinary clinics."

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Dowling indicated that she in turn is "inspired by the animal health industry. Every time this industry introduces a new product that will improve the lives of animals, I’m reminded of the commitment that this industry has to Canadian producers, animal owners and especially the animals needing treatment."

Stan Eby
Canadian Cattlemen's Association, Ontario Cattlemen's Association (top)

Bruce County Ontario cattleman Stan Eby was the recipient of the 2007 CAHI Industry Leadership Award. The award was presented in recognition of Eby’s tireless efforts on behalf of beef producers while serving over time as the President of the Bruce County Cattlemen’s Association, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. In recognizing Eby’s contributions to the cattle industry, it was noted that in 2000, while President of the OCA, Stan was embroiled in a barrage of aggressive and negative media coverage during the Walkerton crisis. His sound and stable leadership through this time was instrumental in preserving the reputation of farmers and the beef industry in general. Through hundreds of media interviews, he took the opportunity to educate the public of the commitment that producers have to environmental stewardship and water quality.

Three short years later, in May 2003 Stan was again called on to assist the cattle industry in dealing with Canada’s first case of BSE while serving as Vice President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Again, his calm and steady leadership was instrumental in navigating the industry through yet another crisis.

CAHI’s President Jean Szkotnicki sums up Eby’s leadership as; “Few individuals can present themselves to the media with the quiet unflappable confidence built on the experience that characterizes Stan Eby. Throughout two of the greatest health related crises faced by the Canadian beef industry in the past 50 plus years, his unique combination of believability, knowledge and leadership skills made him the ideal spokesperson for the beef industry and agriculture in general.”

Dr. Bernhard Pukay
Alta Vista Animal Hospital, Bayview Animal Hospital (top)

Dr. Bernhard Pukay, ILA winner
2006 with Dr. Marike Dussault.

Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) members presented Dr. Bernhard Pukay with the 2006 CAHI Industry Leadership Award. The award was presented in recognition of Pukay's dedication and commitment to animal health, the veterinary profession and the human-animal bond.

In a distinguished career dedicated to companion animal practice, Dr. Pukay has set precedent in a number of areas ranging from practitioner education (co-founding the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Dermatology) to conducting clinical trials, publishing and lecturing on dermatology around the world. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Human-Animal Bond Association of Canada (HABAC), Chair of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Associaiton (CVMA) Task Force on The Bond and Bond-Centered Practices, and a lecturer on Practice Management, he is an advocate on the relationships between animals and humans, and has shown hundreds of clinics how to develop into bond centered practices. This commitment has also extended to his involvement in numerous committees, boards and task forces ranging from the Humane Society of Ottawa-Carleton to the Veterinary Group of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Fund Raising Campaign.

In accepting the award, Pukay was, "Honoured to receive recognition from an industry that has such a huge impact on our ability to practice veterinary medicine. The products developed by industry truly enhance the quality of life of pets, and in turn the quality of the relationship between the pets and their families, which is what companion animal veterinary medicine is all about - relationships between people and their pets."

Dr. Duane Landals
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association / Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (top)

CAHI members were pleased to present Dr. Duane Landals, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) President (2003-2004) and Registrar, Secretary/Treasurer of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association with the 2005 Industry Leadership Award. The award was presented in recognition of Landals' dedication and commitment to animal welfare, animal health and the veterinary profession.

His accomplishments in raising the awareness and importance of animal welfare include a key role in the establishment of the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association. Nationally, he led the CVMA's National Issues Committee on the development of Guidelines for the Legitimate Use of Compounded Drugs in Veterinary Practice. In Alberta, he has played an active role in the education of veterinarians and technicians through his contributions to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine Advisory Committee, the Lakeland College and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Animal Health Technician Advisory Committees. Most recently, he has been active on the steering committee for the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. In accepting the award, Landals was, "Honoured to receive such recognition for doing what needed to be done." He also stressed the importance of the partnerships between the many stakeholders in the animal health industry.

Dr. Brian Evans
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (top)

The Canadian Animal Health Institute’s Industry Leadership Award was established to recognize individuals with significant accomplishments, innovative ability, leadership and commitment to animal health. Thus when the nomination process for the 2004 award was initiated, it was natural that Canada’s Chief Veterinarian, Dr. Brian Evans would be eligible. No formal judging process was necessary as the entire CAHI membership voted unanimously to recognize his leadership throughout the BSE and Avian Influenza crises.

Dr. Evans has been primarily responsible for the health of Canada’s animal agriculture population for the past 8 years in his role as Canada’s Chief Veterinarian. Until recently, he also held the role of Executive Director of the Animal Products Directorate with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. There he was responsible for the animal based food continuum from conception to consumption. Program activities reported through this position included the federal red meat, poultry, egg, dairy, honey, animal feeds, animal disease controls, veterinary biologics and animal based biotechnologies, humane transportation, foreign animal disease preparedness, fish and seafood and their respective import/export programs.

He has been awarded the Head of the Public Service Award for the past 2 years, as well as the Queen's Jubilee Medal for service to Canada in 2002.

Dr. Lorne Babiuk
Vaccine & Infectious Diseases Organization (top)

The seventh winner of the CAHI Industry Leadership Award was Dr. Lorne Babiuk, Director of the Vaccine & Infectious Disease Organization. An international authority in veterinary virology and immunology, Dr. Babiuk has in recent years focused his efforts on the design of vaccines and vaccination strategies. Research achievements include over 350 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 70 book chapters or review articles. Dr. Babiuk’s 30 year commitment to animal health has had significant impacts to both the livestock producer community and the developers and manufacturers of animal health products. Holding 18 awarded patents and 14 patents pending, there is a clear indication that Dr. Babiuk’s work has had a profound impact on both the Canadian and international animal health community.

Dr. Babuik was not able to attend the formal presentation of the Canadian Animal Health Institute’s Industry Leadership Award, but was clearly honoured by the recognition. In a letter of thanks, Dr. Babiuk stressed the importance of collaboration on animal health issues indicating that, “Together we can continue to improve the health and welfare of our animals through novel approaches and, more importantly, by working together to achieve much more than we can by working in isolation.”

Dr. Otto Radostits (top)
Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Otto Radostits of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is the recipient of the 2002 Industry Leadership Award. On recognizing his lifelong commitment to the education of veterinary students and members of the agricultural community, it was revealed that Dr. Radostits has taught veterinary students for 43 years, and over 6 decades. Former student Dr. Stewart Bauck recalled "always being challenged by Dr. Radostits. We were tested to the fullest of our potential, and lessons learned at the hands of Dr. Radostits were never forgotten."

Among the core team to establish the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Radostits has taught western Canadian veterinarians since 1964. In addition to his classroom teaching, he has authored three textbooks, and countless papers. Although retiring from teaching this year, his legacy of training through the use of case studies in clinical examination and diagnosis will continue for many generations to come.

On accepting the award, Dr. Radostits expressed his "Deepest appreciation and thanks to the Canadian Animal Health Institute for this wonderful honour. My years of teaching and working with the industry were truly a pleasure, and provided me with fond memories that I will always cherish."

Dr. Tim Guichon & Dr. Kee Jim (top)
Feedlot Health Management Services

Dr. Tim Guichon and Dr. Kee Jim of Feedlot Health Management Services, of Okotoks, Alberta won the 5th annual award. Feedlot Health Management Services is a consulting company providing comprehensive herd health programs, veterinary consulting services and computerized health record keeping systems to feedlots and cow/calf herds throughout western Canada and the United States. Their practice has grown over the past 19 years and presently provides consulting services to beef feedlots with an annual throughput of greater than one million animals and ranches with 10,000 beef cows. Feedlot Health Management Services conducts research studies in feedlot and cow/calf operations for pharmaceutical companies, feed companies, government agencies, academic institutions, and independent research firms.

While Dr. Jim and Dr. Guichon have provided a number of major innovations to the Canadian cattle feeding industry, without question their most significant innovation is the introduction of computerized animal health record keeping systems to the feeding industry a tool that is now relied upon heavily by cattle feeders and by veterinary consultants employed by cattle feeders. Routine collection and analysis of computerized animal health records is an integral part of the information-based production decisions made by Dr. Guichon and Dr. Jim.

Dr. Guichon made these comments upon accepting the award, "It is indeed an honour to accept this award on behalf of my business partner, Dr. Kee Jim, and myself. We were strongly supported in the beginning and continue to be supported now by several key beef producers in Western Canada and many CAHI members. We have followed the philosophy of looking forward and not back when making decisions. We have taken risks and dealt with the consequences."

Dr. Camille Moore (top)
Mopork Inc.

Dr. Camille Moore, DVM, is a private swine medicine and production consultant from St-Césaire, Québec. Dr. Moore has gained considerable international recognition for his work in the area of swine production. Other veterinarians, numerous swine producers, swine production organizations and many animal health companies have relied on and have been guided by Dr. Moore's experience, expertise, and clinical abilities.

Among his accomplishments, Dr. Moore has been a pioneer in establishing and managing three site production systems and in educating producers and veterinarians about the attributes of such systems. He has also been highly involved in the Identification and Diagnosis of the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (or PRRS) which has been one of the major swine health challenges and issues of the last decade.

According to Dr. Moore, "Receiving the CAHI Industry Leadership Award has been a great honour for me. I have worked hard during my career to improve pig health and help the swine industry and this award for me represents recognition from the entire animal health industry for the work done. I am quite pleased!"

Dr. Reuben Mapletoft (top)
Western College of Veterinary Medicine

Dr. Reuben Mapletoft DVM, MS, PhD works with the Department of Herd Medicine and Theriogenology of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. His contributions to the art and science of veterinary medicine, in particular in the areas of bovine reproduction and embryo transfer have gained recognition worldwide. He has led an unprecedented research effort into the development of commercial applications of embryo transfer in cattle as well as bovine estrous cycle manipulation.

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Mapletoft said, "I was greatly honoured and thrilled to receive the National Industry Leadership Award from the CAHI. ...we have a long history of collaboration at the University of Saskatchewan and everyone contributes to our collective success."

Dr. Ken Leslie (top)
Ontario Veterinary College

Dr. Ken Leslie is a professor in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC). His accomplishments span both veterinary medicine and animal agriculture. Dr. Leslie originated the concept of continuing education certificate programs at OVC and was the director of the Dairy Health Management Certificate Program in 1990- 1991. He has also received the Schering Award for Preventative Veterinary Medicine and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners Cyanamid Award of Excellence.

He speaks about the prestige of the CAHI Industry Leadership Award when he says, "The CAHI Industry Leadership Award gave me a strong signal that I must have done some meaningful research, not only for the producers and the academic community, but also for the animal health industry that has been integral in supporting my efforts."

Leslie Ballentine (top)
Ontario Farm Animal Council

This provincial-based organization has shown leadership in addressing animal welfare issues and has been a model for other such organizations across Canada. It is an association of associations with strong representation from livestock commodity organizations. Through publications such as Food for Thought, videos, booths at fairs and exhibitions, and a hot line, they have demonstrated their ability to proactively address animal welfare issues publicly and within the farming community.

Leslie Ballentine, Executive Director of the Ontario Farm Animal Council, says: "As a vital association in Ontario, we were honoured to have been voted recipient of the very first CAHI Industry Leadership Award. It was doubly rewarding to be recognized, as many of our members are animal health companies, and we carry their message."