Industry Leadership Award Winners

The Canadian Animal Health Institute's Leadership Award recognizes and honours outstanding accomplishments by individuals or organizations in the field of Canadian animal health. The award recognizes leadership and innovation over time in the fields of veterinary medicine and/or animal health.  Winners are selected by a committee who assess their contributions to animal health in the following categories: 

• Leadership
• Accomplishments
• Innovative spirit
• Involvement in the cause of animal health

Previous winners include:

2011	Dr. Yves Gosselin Hôpital Vétérinaire Riv-Sud, Centre Vétérinaire Laval
2010	Drs. John Hilton, Brent Matthew, Donal McKeown & James Patterson Founders of Veterinary Medical Diets “Medi-Cal”
2009	Dr. Clayton MacKay Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada
2008	Dr. Patricia Dowling Canadian gFARAD, Western College of Veterinary Medicine
For more information on previous winners below please contact CAHI.
2007	Stan Eby Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
2006	Dr. Bernhard Pukay Alta Vista / Bayview Animal Hospitals
2005	Dr. Duane Landals Canadian Veterinary Medical Association / Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
2004	Dr. Brian Evans Canadian Food Inspection Agency
2003	Dr. Lorne Babiuk Veterinary Infectious Diseases Organization
2002	Dr. Otto Radostits Western College of Veterinary Medicine
2001	Drs. Tim Guichon, Kee Jim Feedlot Health Management Services
2000	Dr. Camille Moore Mopork Inc.
1999	Dr. Reuben Mapletoft Western College of Veterinary Medicine
1998	Dr. Ken Leslie Ontario Veterinary College
1997	Ontario Farm Animal Council

 Dr. Yves Gosselin
 Hôpital Vétérinaire Riv-Sud, Centre Vétérinaire Laval

Montreal-area veterinarian Dr. Yves Gosselin was recognized recently by the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) for his significant contributions to animal health ranging from day-to-day patient care and treatment to veterinarian education and public outreach.  Already a winner of several prizes and awards, including the Damase-Généreux Award from the Quebec Veterinary Association, the CVMA’s Gaines Veterinary Award and a recognition from the Quebec Interprofessional Council for his contribution to the professional corporation, Dr. Gosselin was lauded by members of the CAHI not only for his commitment to his patients demonstrated over his 30-year career, but also his leadership in veterinary associations in Quebec and nationally.

In presenting the award, Anne-Solène Roy of Pfizer animal health and Hélène Ringuet of CDMV recognized Dr. Gosselin’s many roles on committees and associations, among them: President of the Canadian Association of Dermatology, President of the Ordre médecins vétérinaires du Québec and as a technical advisor at Radio Canada (CBC) for a popular Québec-based television show.  It was noted that Dr. Gosselin’s passion for bringing the best possible quality of care to pet owners is demonstrated every day by his founding of Hôpital Vétérinaire Riv-Sud, and Centre Vétérinaire Laval, both prominent hospitals in their area, offering emergency and various specialized services.

Upon receiving the award, it was clear that Dr. Gosselin’s passion lies in working with companion animals and their owners.  “Every day I’m in the clinic, I look forward to meeting pet owners and providing the best care we possibly can to every animal we see.  This will continue to be my commitment and I thank the animal health industry for providing veterinarians with the tools to assist us in ensuring optimal animal health.” 

Drs. John Hilton, Brent Matthew, Donal McKeown and James Patterson
Founders of Veterinary Medical Diets “Medi-Cal”

Four Canadian entrepreneurs in animal health were recognized with the 2010 Canadian Animal Health Institute Industry Leadership Award.  The visionaries behind Veterinary Medical Diets, commonly known by the trade name ‘Medi-Cal’, Drs. John Hilton, Brent Matthew, Donal McKeown and James Patterson were recognized by the animal health industry for revolutionizing diets for companion animals.

Reminiscing on humble beginnings, group spokesman Jim Patterson recalled the commitment, hard work and vision of each partner.  “We had a great line of products to address cat and dogs’ nutritional needs from adolescence to their twilight years.  But after developing a great line of products, we needed to convince both veterinarians and pet owners the importance of on-going nutritional programs in the management and prevention of disease.  Each of us subscribed to the philosophy that a balanced diet helps animals live longer, healthier lives and our goal was to spread this recognition as far as we could.”

“Their efforts certainly paid off,” indicated CAHI President Jean Szkotnicki upon presenting the award.  “An idea and a vision blossomed into Veterinary Medical Diets, a line of products found in virtually every companion animal veterinary clinic across this country.  VMD’s subsequent purchase by international pet food manufacturer Royal Canin, was testament to the solid foundation this company had in the pet food market.  The recent building of the Royal Canin pet food plant located just outside of Guelph demonstrates the expansion and importance of the initial idea these gentlemen had just 20-some years ago.”

Dr. Clayton MacKay
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Canada

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

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, 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."