The Companion Animal Health Fund's management committee directs the Fund's ongoing activities and projects throughout the year. Faculty members who are involved in companion animal health education, research or clinical services at the College sit on the committee along with several members of the Dean's Office and a student representative. Most members are volunteers who have been invited to serve the Fund.

For more information about the CAHF management committee and the fund's organization, click view the terms of reference (revised May 2008) for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Health Fund.

• Dr. Tawni Silver, chair, CAHF management committee, and associate professor, medical imaging

• Dr. Bianca Bauer, assistant professor, veterinary ophthalomology

• Dr. Valerie MacDonald, associate professor, veterinary medical oncology

• Dr. Peter Gilbert, associate professor, small animal surgery

• Dr. Jaswant Singh, professor, veterinary biomedical sciences

• UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (to be determined)

• GRADUATE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE (to be determined)

• Dr. Baljit Singh, associate dean of research, WCVM

• Dr. Douglas Freeman, dean, WCVM

• Ralph Hildebrandt, chief financial officer and director of operations, WCVM

• Elise Painchaud-Rattai, secretary

• Lisa Green, director of development, WCVM

• Myrna MacDonald, communications, WCVM

The Companion Animal Health Fund's advisory board brings a wide range of interests, backgrounds and opinions to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine.

Board members include veterinarians, regional representatives of the Canadian Kennel Club, researchers and dedicated pet owners. CAHF's advisory board members ensure that the College's companion animal health research and training programs continue to be valuable and relevant to veterinarians, pet owners and companion animal associations across Western Canada. As well, these dedicated volunteers help to promote the goals and achievements of the Fund among their peers.

For more information about the CAHF advisory board and the fund's organization, view the terms of reference (revised May 2008) for the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Companion Animal Health Fund.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

• GAYLIA CORDONA, Vancouver, B.C.
Born and educated in B.C., Gaylia Cardona has owned a bevy of pets throughout her life. In 1988, Cardona’s love for all kinds of animals led her to volunteer at Dr. Dennis Jackson's Granville Island Veterinary Hospital — a role she filled until Jackson's passing in 2003. As well, she has volunteered at the BCSPCA Animal Hospital and the Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic for more than a decade. Cardona retired from her three-decade career as a medical librarian at the University of British Columbia Medical School library in April 2005. When she isn’t volunteering at animal clinics, Cardona can be found on the golf course or bicycling around Vancouver where she lives with her husband Edward and their beloved orange tabby, Peanut.
Tel: 604-879-8926

• DR. LYNDELL LEVITT, Vancouver, B.C.
After receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the University of Florida in 1982, Dr. Lyndell Levitt undertook a one-year internship at WCVM. That experience led to a surgical residency at the College and the completion of a Master of Veterinary Science degree in 1987. For the next seven years, Levitt practised small animal surgery in Vancouver and Florida. After becoming a diplomate with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1994, Levitt established Pacific Spirit Veterinary Surgery Ltd. — a small animal mobile surgical referral practice in B.C. As well, Levitt volunteers her expertise and time to perform surgeries on a variety of species at the Vancouver Aquarium, the Vancouver Zoo and at local wildlife rehabilitation groups.
Email: llevittown@aol.com

ALBERTA

• ANITA CAIRNS, Calgary, Alberta
Anita Cairns is a licensed judge for the Canadian Kennel Club and the CKC director for Zone 10 (Alberta-Northwest Territories-Nunavut).
Tel: 403-279-4812 or 403-279-6062
Email: cairnsa@aol.com

• DR. JENNIFER STELFOX, Spruce Grove, Alberta
Dr. Jennifer Stelfox, who completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from WCVM in 1986, practises at the Spruce Grove Veterinary Clinic and is the president of the Animal Cancer Therapy Subsidization Society (ACTSS). Dr. Stelfox was highly instrumental in helping to establish WCVM's radiation oncology program, and she continues to have a strong interest in promoting the College's oncology resources and services.
Tel: 780-962-3233
Email: foxreid@telusplanet.net

• DR. JACK WILSON, Calgary, Alberta
Dr. Jack Wilson, who graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1972, is one of five small animal veterinarians practising at the 17th Avenue Animal Hospital in Calgary. Away from his practice, Wilson is involved in field trialing for hunting and pointing dogs. Wilson has represented Calgary veterinarians on the Companion Animal Health Fund’s advisory board for more than 10 years and brings numerous skills and experiences to the Fund.
Tel: 403-228-4165 or 403-281-4318

SASKATCHEWAN

• DR. JIM RANDALL, Regina, Saskatchewan
Dr. Jim Randall graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1976 and co-owns Airport Animal Hospital — a companion animal practice in Regina. Randall is one of the founding members of the Companion Animal Health Fund’s advisory board. He was also instrumental in establishing the CAHF memorial program that encourages western Canadian veterinarians to honour the lives of their clients’ pets by making donations to the Fund.
Tel: 306-522-7387 or 306-789-4964

• JACQUELINE SHUMIATCHER, Regina, Saskatchewan
Jacqueline Shumiatcher has loved and appreciated pets all of her life, and special dogs have been part of the Shumiatcher home for more than three decades. The Regina businesswoman and well-known philanthropist is a longtime member of the Companion Animal Health Fund’s advisory board and hopes her involvement will encourage other pet owners to support WCVM’s companion animal health research program.
Tel: 306-525-6432 or 306-522-7027

• JOHN ROSS, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
John Ross is a former Canadian Kennel Club director in Saskatchewan who has shown dogs since 1968 and has been an approved, all-breed dog show judge for many years. As a founding member of the Companion Animal Health Fund’s advisory board, Ross believes the organization serves an important role in the pet community. He hopes the Fund will continue to grow and annually support even more studies than it has in the past.
Tel: 306-382-6224

• PAT PATTERSON, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Pat Patterson’s dog breed and showing career began in 1982 when she purchased her first Dalmation. Her interest in breeding and showing dogs, combined with her former job at WCVM’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, led to her involvement with the Companion Animal Health Fund’s advisory board in 1994. Patterson now works for the University of Saskatchewan’s Facilities Management Division and is semi-retired from the world of dog showing — but she’s still very interested in companion animals and advances in health care for small animals.
Tel: 306-966-4463 or 306-343-7855
Email: pat.patterson@usask.ca

• KATHLEEN ANDERSON-WULFF, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Kathleen Anderson-Wulff has been involved with dogs since 1978. She owns and shows (but no longer breeds) bulldogs and Norwich terriers, she’s an active member of the Saskatoon Kennel Obedience Club and is a licensed judge for the Canadian Kennel Club. As well, Anderson-Wulff is the former CKC director for Saskatchewan. Anderson-Wulff, who is a staff member in the University of Saskatchewan’s Office of Research Services, has been a member of the Companion Animal Health Fund’s advisory board for the past six years.
Tel: 306-966-8578
Email: kathy.wulff@usask.ca

MANITOBA

• DR. IAN SMITH, Winnipeg, Manitoba
In addition to his duties as Director General of NRC’s Institute for Diagnostics, Dr. Ian Smith conducts research in applications of complex physical methods to problems of biological and medical significance. Nearly a decade ago, Smith combined his interest in dogs and his expertise in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to develop a less expensive MRI unit for veterinarians. In 1998, his concept led to the creation of a joint venture company whose partners included the University of Saskatchewan, NRC and private investors. The company developed an MRI prototype that was installed in WCVM’s new MRI and radiation therapy centre nearly four years ago. Today, the MRI unit at WCVM continues to play an invaluable role in the College’s clinical, research and teaching programs.
Tel: 204-983-7526
Email: ian.smith@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

• DR. GORDON GOODRIDGE, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr. Gordon Goodridge received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1975. Goodridge owns and operates Centennial Animal Hospital, an award-winning small animal hospital in Winnipeg. The small animal veterinarian has a special interest in veterinary dentistry, veterinary oncology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Besides his veterinary practice, Goodridge is an affiliate scientist at the National Research Council and performs MRI scans at NRC’s Institute for Biodiagnostics. During the past decade, Goodridge worked alongside Dr. Ian Smith in developing the MRI unit for veterinary use and was one of the partners in the joint venture company that produced the first MRI prototype.
Tel: 204-269-8162
Email: ggoodridge@shaw.ca

Freeman, who begins his five-year term on March 1, 2010, will become the regional veterinary college’s sixth dean in its 45-year history. He will replace Dr. Charles Rhodes, the WCVM’s dean since 2002. Rhodes is retiring after 39 years of service with the college.

“Dr. Freeman’s broad experience, his approachable personality and his collaborative manner will make an excellent fit with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and the University of Saskatchewan,” said Brett Fairbairn, the university’s provost and vice-president. “These qualities will serve him well in his new role as one of Canada’s key leaders in veterinary education, animal health, public health and food safety.”

"I am thrilled to be the next dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. It is an outstanding veterinary school with tremendous talent in a broad range of programs,” said Freeman. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students and friends of the veterinary college in addressing current challenges and opportunities in veterinary medicine.”

Freeman completed a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, a clinical residency and a Master of Science degree in theriogenology at the University of Minnesota. He received a PhD in reproductive physiology from the University of Idaho and is a diplomate in the American College of Theriogenologists.

Freeman has worked in the clinical science and basic science departments of academic institutions in the United States as well as overseas. His experience also includes private veterinary practice and veterinary professional services in the animal health industry. Freeman is a past president of the American College of Theriogenologists and is a current member of the Board of Directors for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC).

During his term at North Dakota State University, Freeman served as director of the NDSU’s Great Plains Institute of Food Safety for two years, and led multi-disciplinary research programs in disease surveillance, public health and food safety. He was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow in 2006, and spent one year at the University of Minnesota where he gained experience in academic leadership and administration of the university’s Academic Health Center.

Located at the University of Saskatchewan, the Western College of Veterinary Medicine is Western Canada’s premier centre of veterinary education, research and expertise, and an integral member of Canada's veterinary, public health and food safety network. More than 400 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the internationally-recognized institution that includes a veterinary teaching hospital, provincial diagnostics laboratory and research facilities.

For more information, contact:

Brett Fairbairn, Provost and Vice President Academic
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: 306-966-8489

Myrna MacDonald, Communications
WCVM, University of Saskatchewan
Tel: 306-225-4479 • Cell: 306-291-9950

This year’s Vetavision offers a variety of educational displays, speakers, demonstrations and animals that will appeal to people of all ages, says Jasmine Dhillon, a fourth-year veterinary student and Vetavision’s co-ordinator.

Held every three years, the public exposition is entirely organized by veterinary students who are enrolled in the regional veterinary college’s four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. This is the 14th Vetavision since WCVM students hosted the very first event in 1970.

“Vetavision is the ideal chance for students to talk about the many different aspects of our profession with the public and how veterinarians play a part in everyone’s daily lives,” explains Dhillon. “Everybody knows that veterinarians provide health care for pets, horses and livestock. But many people are surprised to find out that veterinarians also play vital roles in food safety, public health and ecosystem health as well as animal and human health research.”

Since 2004, the veterinary college has added on to its Veterinary Teaching Hospital, diagnostics area and research laboratories. Renovations to its large and small animal clinics and lecture theatres, along with the addition of new technologies for medical imaging and research, have also helped to enhance the WCVM’s veterinary education, clinical and research programs.

For more details about Vetavision 2009, please visit www.vetavision.ca to view a list of displays, show schedule, admission fees and tour information.

The WCVM is a Canadian centre for veterinary education, expertise and research that’s located on the University of Saskatchewan campus in Saskatoon, Sask. More than 400 undergraduate and graduate students are enrolled at the college that annually attracts more than $10 million in research funding from public and private sources.

For more information, please contact:

Jasmine Dhillon, Vetavision Co-ordinator
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Tel: 306-966-5020
info@vetavision.ca

Myrna MacDonald, Communications
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
Tel: 306-225-4479
sm.ridley@sasktel.net

VETAVISION: OVERVIEW
• Dates: Thursday to Sunday, October 1-4, 2009
• Admission: $2 for preschool children, $5 for seniors and students, $10 for adults and $20 for families. Groups: $3 per student.
• Location: WCVM, University of Saskatchewan campus, Saskatoon, Sask.
• What is Vetavision? A four-day veterinary exposition that’s organized for the public by WCVM veterinary students.
• Who can come? Children, students and adults of all ages are welcome to visit the newly expanded and renovated veterinary college.
• What will we see? A wide range of displays, demonstrations and talks that showcase animal health care, research, veterinary careers and public health. Of course, you’ll also see plenty of animals — including many of the students’ pets!
• Where can I find more details? Visit www.vetavision.ca for a list of displays, maps, and a Vetavision brochure.
• What about student tours? Please call 306-966-5020 or email info@vetavision.ca to arrange a tour for your group. Admission is $3 per student for group tours.