Past Welfare Awards . . .
Three individuals and an agricultural organization were the recipients of the 2010 Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc. (FACS) and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation (SHF) Awards of Distinction for Equine Welfare.
“The awards not only demonstrate appreciation to the recipients, but also remind everyone about the importance of responsible members providing exceptional service to the care of the animals,” SHF Executive Director Mae Smith noted.
Taryn Holtby, a second year Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) student from Marshall, received the Equine Welfare Young Steward of the Future Award of Distinction. This award recognizes a young person between the ages of 13 and 25 who has shown, through practices as a horse owner or interaction with others, the importance of commitment to responsible equine care.
A dedicated horse owner since she was eight years old when she joined 4H; Taryn volunteered with ‘Big Brothers Big Sisters’ to teach children about horses while attending high school. During her first year at the WCVM, she volunteered to work on a farm where horses were recuperating from injury; as she fulfills her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian specializing in equine medicine.
The Yorkton Exhibition Association (YEA) received the Equine Welfare Innovation Award of Distinction, which recognizes a person or company who has developed a new process, product or source of knowledge that has made a significant impact on the improvement of the welfare of horses in Saskatchewan.
The YEA, through its directors, staff and dedicated volunteers, is credited with reviving harness racing in the province by making its facilities available to the standardbred racing fraternity in 2006. Recognized in 2007 by Standardbred Canada as the only racing track outside of Ontario to receive sponsorship and promotion, the YEA has since expanded its facilities, making it a hub of horse activities.
The Equine Welfare Award of Distinction for Excellence in Communications recognizes a person who has taken an active role in effectively conveying equine welfare issues and raising awareness of equine welfare. The award was presented to MLA for Lloydminster Tim McMillan for his part in protecting the herd of wild ponies living in the Bronson Forest, northeast of Lloydminster along the Alberta border.
Tim introduced Private Member’s Bill 606 in 2005 that sought to make it illegal to “willfully molest, interfere with, hurt, capture, or kill” the ponies. Tim’s unwavering commitment to the ponies finally saw the Bill become law in 2009.
Doug Howe, a familiar name among thoroughbred owners and trainers, was awarded the Equine Welfare Award of Distinction for Excellence in Leadership. His leadership in the Saskatchewan thoroughbred racing and breeding community, his involvement with Canadian Western Agribition and his innovative approach to horse management combine to demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities.
“The annual Equine Awards of Distinction is one of many ways FACS collaborates to ensure responsible animal care remains in the forefront,” FACS Executive Director Adele Buettner said.
The awards were presented at the 2010 SHF annual banquet, which was held on March 12, 2010 in Regina.
2009 Equine Awards
Equine Welfare Award Of Distinction For Excellence – A Steward Of The Future
SHAWNA SAWATSKY
 |
| left to right: Shawna Sawatsky, Nancy McGuire |
This honour is to recognize a young person between the ages of 13 and 25 who has shown through practices as a horse owner or through interaction with others, the importance of a commitment to responsible equine care. The recipient for the 2009 Equine Welfare Steward of the Future is Shawna Sawatsky.
Shawna is an 18 years old resident of Saskatoon and a recent graduate of Bedford Road Collegiate. Shawna owns a hunter and has shown both in Saskatchewan and out of province.
She has been an active member of the Pony Club for many years. She competes with the Heritage Circuit and in 2008 was an award winner.
Shawna is currently taking a year off her University studies to devote her time to working with horses. She is employed at Willow Ridge Stables in Saskatoon, where she trains under Certified Level II coach, Judy Hunter.
Shawna also tacks and grooms horses for Frank Hough, and works as a groom during the summer horse shows.
Known for her cheery smile and her positive attitude, Shawna is generally the first one to arrive at the stables in the morning, tending to the horses throughout the day and is the last to leave at night.
As a Future Steward of equine welfare, Shawna displays exemplary attitudes and habits to others. She is a role model for the young. She is observant and careful with all her equine charges. She notices when things are not right with a horse, which is key to getting appropriate help when needed.
Shawna is a dependable and sought after person to exercise, feed and care for horses while others are away.
Shawna Sawatsky is a most worthy recipient of the Steward of the Future Award, and it is a pleasure to bestow this honour on her.
Equine Welfare Award of Distinction for Excellence in Innovation
DR. JAMES CARMALT
 |
| left to right: Dr. James Carmalt, Nancy McGuire |
This honour is bestowed upon persons who demonstrate qualities that reflect imaginative and inventive abilities in facing the quest for better management of the life conditions of horses. Dr. James Carmalt is an undeniably suitable recipient of this award.
Coming to the WCVM from England as a young graduate with his MA and Vet MB from Cambridge University, he joined the faculty as a clinical associate in Large Animal Clinical Sciences in July 2005. He set right to work with his research projects, continues to move forward with new ideas and renewed vigor with each challenge he undertakes. His passions include his work, but his academic interests are tempered by his love of horses, and he is currently an FEI Veterinarian active with the sport of Endurance riding, having recently officiated at the world championships in Dubai, UAR.
Since his arrival at the WCVM, Dr. Carmalt has been active both in the clinical and research fields. He demonstrates qualities of resourcefulness and practicality in seeking solutions to help solve the difficulties faced by horse owners.
Initial clinical trials and research carried out by Dr. Carmalt focused on equine dentistry, to which he made many contributions. His recent research and clinical activities center on studies of the hock joints and the development of a technique to aid in hock repair. This research is especially exciting as it does not involve expensive nor invasive surgery and does not usually require a general anaesthetic. As a result, the recovery time is quick, with a fast return to normal activity as there is little or no loss in fitness levels.
Dr. Carmalt presents his findings to international audiences around the globe. He, like many of his colleagues, is responsible for keeping the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in the forefront of the leading research in the equine field. His innovative ways in teaching, in research and in clinical practice make him a credit to his profession, to his college, and to the health and welfare of our equine partners.
Equine Welfare Award of Distinction for Excellence in Communications
Katharina Lohmann, DVM and Hugh Townsend, DVM
Myrna MacDonald
Large Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM
 |
| left to right: Dr. Hugh Townsend, Dr. Katharina Lohmann |
Leadership takes many forms, and three individuals rose far beyond acknowledged standards to handle a crisis situation in equine health not seen here since the 1950’s.
Dr. Katharina Lohmann and Dr. Hugh Townsend of the Large Animal Clinical Sciences department of the WCVM are recognized for their outstanding communication skills during the outbreak of equine herpes virus EHV-1 that occurred in the Saskatoon area in 2008.
Ms. Myrna MacDonald, communications coordinator with the WCVM and the Equine Health Research Fund, provided the professional communication skills and knowledge that rounded out the team approach to handle this situation.
Each of these distinguished individuals brings special skills and attributes as leaders in the field of equine welfare communications.
Dr. Katharina Lohmann, Dr. Med. Vet. (Berlin), Diplomat ACVIM, Ph.D. is an exceptional individual in very many ways.
Since her appointment as Associate Professor, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, WCVM in 2004, Dr. Lohmann continues to excel as a clinician, researcher, teacher and communicator.
She is recognized as an individual who has taken an active leadership role in effectively conveying equine welfare issues and raising awareness of equine welfare with the general public and the industry. Dr. Lohmann’s specialty knowledge reflects her concern for the well-being and welfare of the horse.
Dr. Lohmann, in addition to her triple duty at the College, plays an all-important outreach role, especially benefiting our Saskatchewan Horse Federation and indeed all horsemen and women in Western Canada. Dr. Lohmann was delegated duty as the WCVM spokesperson when EHV-1 hit the both the College and nearby equestrian stables. The enormity of the task required “courage under fire”, ‘round the clock media and client/owner response, demanding civility to all in a “pressure cooker” scenario.
 |
| left to right: WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes, Dr. Katharina Lohmann, Dr. Hugh Townsend |
Dr. Lohmann demonstrated the important leadership qualities that resulted in effective communication with a well planned model of crisis management.
Dr. Hugh Townsend is beloved by many. His knowledge and research skills are renowned – and his published research is recognized world-wide. He has worked tirelessly to educate, to inform, and to reach out to the equine community. He has been a frequent speaker at the SHF Horse Conferences sharing, with his dry incisive wit, his expertise in his horse research and teaching practises.
Dr. Townsend’s specialty is Veterinary Internal Medicine, and his research interests include infectious disease epidemiology; public health; vaccine formulation, delivery and efficacy; and the immune response to infection. He is a leader in many of these fields.
He is currently the Chair of the WCVM Equine Health Research Fund, Editor of Horse Health Lines and Associate Editor (experimental design and statistics) Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. His contributions to the field of research, clinical practice, and education are celebrated. Communications is a part of his very nature.
The EHV-1 outbreak saw Dr. Townsend using those skills giving guidance, leadership and educational materials for the edification of not only the WCVM team but for the horse owners and general public. He chaired two effective “town hall” sessions in Saskatoon and Regina, in collaboration with SVMA and FACS, where he shared his knowledge of EHV-1 and its implications for horses and their owners.
Ms. Myrna MacDonald contributes widely to the communications efforts of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Her journalistic skills have seen the publication Horse Health Lines gain wide recognition across North America for its excellence in design, presentation and content. As the communications vehicle of the Equine Health Research Fund and the WCVM , Horse Health Lines is an outstanding publication.
The outbreak of the EHV-1 virus in Saskatoon required the skills of an expert communicator, and Myrna MacDonald stepped up to the plate. She worked in concert with Drs. Lohmann and Townsend, as well as FACS, the SHF and others, in meeting the precise requirements for accurate, timely and sensitive information for the press and public, including many horse owners across the province and beyond. Accuracy in reporting was required, as was a tempered and honest approach to the dissemination of the information.
Ms. MacDonald handled these requirements admirably, and was an integral part of the WCVM Clinical Sciences team, both during and after the outbreak and its subsequent relatively happy conclusion. Her ever cheerful disposition, her sensitive approach to the anxieties of the horse owners and of the general public went a long way in quelling the sense of panic and confusion during the early days of this outbreak. She was a valuable asset to this team.
Drs. Katharina Lohmann and Hugh Townsend, and Ms. Myrna MacDonald, it gives us great pleasure, on behalf of the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Horse Federation, to present you jointly, with gratitude, the “Equine Welfare Communication – Award of Distinction” for 2009.
Equine Welfare Award of Distinction for Excellence in Leadership
Nathalie Tokateloff, DVM and Kristin Poirier, DVM
Large Animal Clinic – Field Services
 |
| Dr. Nathalie Tokateloff |
A joint award is given to Dr. Nathalie Tokateloff and Dr. Kristin Poirier to honour them for their outstanding leadership in horse welfare. Among the many who devoted their time and expertise combating the outbreak of the equine herpes EHV-1 virus in March 2008, these two individuals demonstrated outstanding guidance in addressing the acute needs of the health and welfare of the horses affected by this virus.
Their dedicated efforts went far beyond expectations. Dr. Tokateloff and Dr. Poirier were remarkable in the conduct of their profession.
At the outset these two Large Animal Clinic Field Service veterinarians were called to the stable where the first two horses presented with suspicious symptoms.
 |
| left to right: WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes, Dr. Nathalie Tokateloff, Nancy McGuire |
These attending veterinarians’ diagnostic skills quickly raised suspicions of an impending problem and immediately sent both animals to the WCVM where they were placed in isolation. As more horses developed similar symptoms it became clear there was a potential for an outbreak of great proportion.
The fact this outbreak was contained can be attributed to the excellent work done by the WCVM , and the front line efforts of Drs. Tokateloff and Poirier. They worked tirelessly for long days. They researched and talked to colleagues to ensure the most up to date protocols were employed in the treatment regimen. They showed horse owners how to test horses and identify virus symptoms, helping to keep long term complications at a minimum. They established a separate “ward” in the stable where the horses requiring intensive care management received constant care. Drs. Tokateloff and Poirier were at the barn every few hours and through the weekends administering treatments, conducting evening sessions for horse owners and giving reassurance regarding prognosis and outcome of the disease.
Due to their sterling efforts, most horses are back to leading a normal active life. These two clinicians demonstrated remarkable leadership to horse owners and the public in the proper care for the health of the horses.
Awards of Distinction for Equine Welfare
 2006
Together with the Saskatchewan Horse Federation (SHF), a founding member of the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan Inc. we honoured the first recipients of these Awards at the SHF Annual Banquet, March 4, 2006 (see media release). Shown here, left to right we have: Dr. Grant Royan (Regina); Stewart Stone (Regina); Teddy McDougald (Prince Albert); Laverne McMahon (Birch Hills); Lisa Siemans (Saskatoon); Murray Acton QC (Moose Jaw); Dale McCoshen (Prince Albert).
2007
On March 3 the 2007 recipients of the Awards of Distinction for Equine Welfare were acknowledged at the SHF Annual Awards Banquet (see media release). They are Amanda Duerr, and David Dube and Heather Ryan.
Award of Distinction for Hog Transportation Handling
2006
On December 13, Marcel Vermette, President of Windridge Trucking, was announced as the first recipient of the 2006 Award of Distinction for Hog Transportation Handling. This award is offered through a partnership between FACS and Sask Pork. 
Left to right: Marcel Vermette, Adele Buettner, Shannon Meyers.
The press release is available here
|
