A new patient examination room in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's renovated teaching hospital at the University of Saskatchewan has been named after Corporal James Galloway, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police service dog handler who was killed while on duty four years ago in Edmonton, Alta.

“Corporal Galloway was committed to caring for the health and well being of his canine partners for more than three decades,” says WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes. “By supporting the expansion and renovation of our teaching hospital, his family and friends are helping us to carry on a similar commitment of providing quality health care for service dogs and companion animals across Western Canada.”

Representatives from WCVM, the RCMP and other law enforcement organizations across Canada joined the family and friends of Galloway at a private dedication ceremony on July 19. During the event, guests visited the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s Room 1522 — the patient examination room that now includes a framed memorial and photo of Galloway with Cito, his last canine partner.

“This is the perfect memorial for Jim because he loved his dogs, he had a deep respect for veterinary medicine, and he enjoyed talking about his work and his dogs with students of all ages,” explains Margaret Galloway, Jim’s wife of 33 years. “I think he would be very pleased to be part of this building where animal health care and teaching are so vital.”

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Clinical intern Dr. Heather Akridge (at left) and veterinary anesthesiology resident Dr. Barbara Ambros (below), both members of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, were the recent recipients of two achievement awards at the College.

Akridge received the 2008 Hill's Outstanding Intern Award while Ambros accepted the Hill's Outstanding Resident Award for the year. Both awards were presented by SACS department head Dr. Klaas Post during the College's annual employee barbecue on June 12. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. is the sponsor for both of the annual awards at WCVM.

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Dr. Klaas Post, head of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine's Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and a professor for nearly three decades, was the recipient of the College's Distinguished Employee Award for 2008. The award was presented to Post during WCVM's annual employee barbecue on June 12.

During the award's announcement, WCVM Dean Charles Rhodes read excerpts from some of the submissions in support of Post's nomination for the award. The longtime professor's positive attitude, his willingness to take on new challenges and his ability to inspire others were a few of the positive traits that people recognized in Post. His most recent efforts also indicate his dedication to his work: besides serving as a department head, Post took on the challenging role of interim director for the WCVM Veterinary Teaching Hospital from July 2007 to April 2008.

The WCVM Distinguished Employee Award is an annual honour that recognizes the dedicated excellence and positive contributions that employees make to the College. Award selection is made by WCVM's Human Resources Development committee whose members rely on submitted nominations, letters of support and an award criteria to make their final decision.

ABOVE: Dr. Klaas Post (right) accepts a commemorative plaque from WCVM Dean Dr. Charles Rhodes (left) during the 2008 WCVM Distinguished Employee Award presentation on June 12.

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