AWARD WINNERS

The OAVT Awards recognize RVTs, veterinarians, and organizations or stakeholders within the animal health community. Award recipients are recognized for their significant contributions to the association, to the health and welfare of animals, and the veterinary health community.

Recognizes any individual who vastly improves the lives of animals. Such an award will be handed out periodically to an individual who makes a significant contribution to the health and welfare of animals. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

Honorary Members:

2019-20 – Mary Robinson, RVT
2018-19 – Elizabeth Westover
2016-17 – Julia Bitan, RVT
2014-15 – Betsy Wismer, RVT
2013-14 – Kirsti Clarida, RVT
2012-13 – Shannon Brownrigg, RVT
2011-12 – Jennifer McDonell, RVT
2010-11 – Tine Curran
2009-10 – Senani Ratnayake, RVT
2008-09 – Frances Cheslo, RVT
2007-08 – Janet Ogilvie, RVT
2006-07 – Christine Booth, RVT
2005-06 – Mary Martini, RVT
2004-05 – Janine Graham, RVT
2003-04 – Joanne Pidgeon, RVT
2002-03 – Kim Empringham, RVT

Recognizes an organization or stakeholder in the animal health community who has demonstrated outstanding support and contribution to the increased awareness of the field of veterinary technology. The recipient has furthered the image of the RVT through encouragement and support of the profession. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

Winners:

2020-21 – Veterinary Purchasing
2019-20 – Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP)
2018-19 – Mary Pecarski, RVT
2017-18- Mary Robinson, RVT
2015-16 – Rob Swackhammer, DVM
2014-15 – Milk Bone
2013-14 – Amy Breton
2012-13 – Rick Culbert (Bioniche)
2011-12 – Dr Sue Carstairs, DVM
2010-11 – Paul Stiles, OCA
2009-10 – no recipient
2008-09 – Mike Zimmerman, Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services
2007-08 – Gateway Pet Memorial Services Inc.
2006-07 – David Alves, DVM, Ontario Ministry of Agri-Food and Rural Affairs
2005-06 – Bayer Health Care, Animal Health Division
2004-05 – Hill’s Pet Nutrition
2003-04 – Clarity Consulting, Jeff Pym
2002-03 – Shering Plough
2001-02 – Heather Lowe
2000-01 – Novartis
1999-2000 – Vet Med Diets
1998-99 – Merial Canada
1997-98 – Veterinary Purchasing
1996-97 – Bayer
1995-96 – MCT
1994-95 – Hill’s Pet Nutrition

Recognizes an RVT in good standing with the OAVT who has demonstrated a long-standing history of community service and dedication at the regional, provincial, or national level in a professionally related association. This individual has continuously promoted and enhanced the image of OAVT members and the field of veterinary technology through their positive interactions with the public and community members. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

Winners:

2019-20 – Cally Merritt, RVT
2018-19 – Alison Weller, RVT
2017-18 – Kristina Burns, RVT
2016-17 – Linda Groocock, RVT
2015-16 – John Bell, RVT
2014-15 – Laura Sutton, RVT
2013-14 – no recipient
2012-13 – Shawn Amerlinck, RVT
2011-12 – Jennifer Panko, RVT
2010-11 – no recipient
2009-10 – Chris Robinson, RVT
2008-09 – Frances Cheslo, RVT
2007-08 – Caroline Auer, RVT
2006-07 – Wendy Cartwright, RVT
2005-06- Nancy MacFarlane, RVT
2004-05 – Iona Guindon-Carson, RVT
2003-04 – Monica Tighe, RVT
2002-03 – Julie Avington, RVT
2001-02 – Sally Major, RVT
2000-01- Laura Wittmer, RVT
1999-2000 – Carlos Hortiguela de Pablos
1998-99 – Tracy Peddigrew
1997-98 – Amanda Hathway, RVT
1996-97 – Barb Donaldson, RVT
1995-96 – Candice Jones
1994-95- Julie Palmer
1992-93 – Carrie Purcell
1990-91 – Steve Hood
1989-90 – Shirley Inglis, RVT
1988-89 – Susan Brenner
1987-88- Ingrid Alexy-Ferrede
1986-87- Laura Keck, RVT
1985-86 – Don Johnstone
1984-85 – Marg Brown, RVT

Recognizes an RVT in good standing with the OAVT who exemplifies dedication to the humane medical treatment of animals and excels in all aspects of their field. Candidates demonstrate enthusiasm for their chosen profession, dedication to animal health care, and support for a cohesive team environment. Their concern for animal welfare stands out to others in their workplace. This individual works to augment the image and recognition for RVTs in veterinary medical communities and to the public through their professionalism and overall direction. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

Winners:

2020-21 – Lorna Orpwood, RVT
2019-20 – Eric Escuadra, RVT
2018-19 – Carol Berkij, RVT
2017-18 – Tania Boyd, RVT
2016-17 – Rachel Crane, RVT
2015-16 – Melanie Brooks, RVT
2014-15 – Darci Burtch, RVT
2013-14 – Charlotte Donohoe, RVT
2012-13 – Shaun Beach, RVT
2011-12 – Alison Weller, RVT
2010-11 – Shelley Denomme, RVT
2009-10 – Amanda Regier, RVT
2008-09 – Scott Mohr, RVT
2007-08 – Jennifer King, RVT
2006-07 – Diane McGill, RVT
2005-06 – Marcie Burling, RVT
2004-05 – Kathy Taylor, RVT
2003-04 – Charlotte MacDonald, RVT
2002-03 – Pam Nixon, RVT
2001-02 – Laura Coutie, RVT
2000-01 – Sharon Matle, RVT
1999-00 – Heather Creasey, RVT/Ingrid Danylyk
1998-99 – Rebecca Atkinson, RVT
1997-98 – Julie Ball-Karn, RVT
1996-97 – Marlene De Boer, RV

Recognizes a Veterinarian who is in good standing with their provincial accrediting body that has demonstrated outstanding support of and contributions to the increased awareness of the role of the RVT as part of the complete animal health care team and encourages a team approach to veterinary medicine. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

Winners:

2020-21 – Susan Warren, DVM
2019-20 – Chris Winder, DVM
2018-19 – Leeann Sealey, DVM
2016-17 – Jen Clements, DVM
2015-16 – Dawn Crandell, DVM
2014-15 – Catherine Filejski, DVM
2013-14 – Joselyn Kean, DVM
2012-13 – Bill Hanson, DVM
2011-12 – David Silver, DVM
2010-11- Candace Allen, DVM
2009-10 – Bob Kenn, DVM
2008-09 – Ian Sandler, DVM
2007-08 – David Kerr, DVM
2006-07 -Alec Martin, DVM
2005-06 – DVMs: Sandy Taylor, Shirleen Guest, Louise Langlais-Burgess
2004-05 – Doreen Houston, DVM
2003-04 – Fraser Hale, DVM
2002-03 – Clayton McKay, DVM
2001-02 – Irene Moore, DVM
2000-01 – Sarah McLaughlin, DVM
1999-2000 – Jan Hall, DVM
1998-99 – Dan Loncke, DVM

The recipient of this award is an RVT in good standing with the OAVT who has demonstrated outstanding support for the RVT profession. Their contributions have had a progressive impact on the Association, or the awareness of the RVT profession. They continually enhance the image of the members of the OAVT through their positive example in their field. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

Winners:

2020-21 – Ashley Jenner, RVT
2019-20 – Humza Mian, RVT
2018-19 – Shannon Brownrigg, RVT
2017-18 – Kim Robertson, RVT
2016-17 – Amy Soccini, RVT
2015-16 – no recipient
2014-15 – Senani Ratnayake, RVT
2013-14 – Kate Enright, RVT
2012-13 – Andrea Steele, RVT
2011-12 – Kirsti Clarida, RVT
2010-11 – Kathy Zurbrigg
2009-10 – no recipient
2008-09 – Moffitt Printing, Effective Edge
2007-08 – Doug Bolger, Learn2
2006-07 – no recipient
2005-06 – Donna Vinen
2004-05 – Cass Bayley (Bayley Group)

RVTs who have made outstanding contributions to the profession of veterinary technology throughout their career and has distinguished themselves by furthering the objectives of the OAVT. In order to qualify for this award candidates must be an RVT Member or an RVT Retired member in good standing with the OAVT for at least 10 years, made wide-reaching contributions that have positively impacted the field of veterinary technology in Ontario; promoted the profession with the public and with stakeholder; attributed contributions that resulted in significant strategic gains for the OAVT. (Award criteria changed as of July 2017.)

COMPLIMENTARY LIFE MEMBERS:

2017-18 – Gillian Smith, RVT
2016-17 – Lori MacNeil, RVT 
2015-16 – Cathy Horner, RVT 
2013-14 – Barbara Parsons, RVTr
2012-13 – Tine Curran
2011-12 – Frances Cheslo, RVT
2010-11 – Julie Jones, RVT
2009-10 – Kim Empringham, RVT
2008-09 – Peggy Casey, RVT
2007-08 – Anne O’Donnell, RVT
2006-07 – Shirley Inglis, RVT
2005-06 – Tara Sefton, RVT
2004-05 – Monica Tighe, RVT
2003-04 – Marg Brown, RVT
2002-03 – Barb Donaldson, RVTr
2001-02 – Steve Hood
2000-01 – Laura Keck, RVT