Each year, the CVMA proudly recognizes veterinarians, veterinary teams, and student veterinarians for their outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine. The 2025 CVMA Awards will be delivered at the Awards Gala on Wednesday, June 25 during the CVMA Annual Convention in Victoria, British Columbia.
Nominations for the 2025 CVMA Awards are now closed.
Check out some highlights from last year’s Awards Gala. We look forward to hosting the 2025 award recipients and their guests in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia.
Honourary Membership is presented to an individual who has rendered distinguished service to the profession, whether residing in Canada or elsewhere. The Honourary Member does not pay fees and cannot vote at meetings, or hold any elected office in the CVMA.

2024 Recipient:
Mr. Jost am Rhyn
Mr. Jost am Rhyn, a business administration and economics graduate, brought a wealth of experience to his roles at the CVMA. His leadership is well established with 38 years in executive governance positions at national non-profit organizations in both Switzerland and Canada. Notably, he dedicated over 21 years as CEO of the CVMA and as the National Examining Board Registrar. He is described as a distinguished leader of the Canadian veterinary profession, guiding the CVMA through many changes in the veterinary landscape throughout his tenure as CEO.
Established by the CVMA in 1986, and sponsored by Merck Animal Health, this award recognizes leadership in the care and well-being of animals. The award is presented to a CVMA member whose work is judged to have contributed significantly to the welfare and well-being of animals. Recipients receive $1,000.

2025 Recipient:
Dr. Enid Stiles
Dr. Enid Stiles is a committed leader in international veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and One Health. Her journey began when her family moved to Southern Africa, where she researched the impact of avicides on non-target bird species in Zimbabwe. She co-founded Global Vets at the Ontario Veterinary College and is a founding member and Past President of Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) Canada.
She has played a pivotal role in global advocacy, most recently as Past President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and Chair of the World Veterinary Association’s Animal Welfare Working Group. Her work addresses key issues such as declawing, animal transportation, the donkey skin trade, medically unnecessary surgeries, the welfare of working equids and concerns around extreme breeding.
In 2009, Dr. Stiles opened Sherwood Park Animal Hospital near Montréal. She values meaningful relationships – whether supporting clients, collaborating with industry leaders, or advising international organizations.
Believing that progress requires effort, open-mindedness and unity, she emphasizes the importance of a strong veterinary voice: “Without a voice, we will never be heard and without passion, we will never be felt.”
A passionate advocate for the profession and animal welfare, Dr. Stiles continues to be a visible force in media and global dialogue.
Instituted in 1996, the CVMA Industry Award publicly acknowledges and celebrates the role of industry in veterinary medicine. The award formally recognizes a CVMA member for their contributions to the advancement of veterinary medicine.

2025 Recipient:
Dr. Lucie Hénault
Dr. Lucie Hénault has been a practicing veterinarian for 25 years. Alongside eight partners, she co-owns eight proudly independent veterinary clinics operating under the banner Flair & cie.
A skilled communicator and well-known media personality, Dr. Hénault founded the Flair & cie web magazine in 2021 – which offers expert veterinary content and reaches tens of thousands of animal lovers each month.
In addition to her clinical and media work, Dr. Hénault is also an author. In 2024, she published her first book, La véto cuistot, a family recipe collection designed to be safe for dogs. Her second book, Je protège mon chien, a practical guide to understanding and protecting canine health, was released in April 2025.
Dr. Hénault continues to advocate for animal well-being through public education, professional leadership and accessible, evidence-based information for pet owners across Canada.
The CVMA Distinguished Member Award is presented to a CVMA member for long and outstanding service on CVMA Council, Executive, Boards and Committees, or for outstanding contributions to the veterinary profession. The Distinguished Member shall be invited to attend meetings of the association, and shall not be liable to pay dues, but shall enjoy all the rights and privileges of membership. Please note: CVMA Life Membership was renamed the Distinguished Member Award in 2022.

Dr. Al Longair
Dr. Al Longair graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1977 and began his career in mixed animal practice in Duncan, B.C. By 1981, he shifted his focus exclusively to small animals.
He volunteered with the BC SPCA for more than two decades, serving 12 years as president of his local branch and 10 years on the provincial management committee, including four as president. In the early 1990s, he chaired the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Committee.
In 2001, Dr. Longair was one of six independent veterinarians selected by the International Fund for Animal Welfare to serve as a licensed observer of the Canadian seal hunt, offering recommendations and insights on animal welfare.
He fondly remembers two of his most unusual patients – a rattlesnake and a black moccasin – both of which he had to de-venomize.
Dr. Longair was instrumental in developing the Society of BC Veterinarians, serving three years as president during a pivotal time when the organization successfully advocated for a doubling of WCVM seats for B.C. students.
He lives on a small acreage with his wife, horses, dogs and cats. He has coached youth soccer for 25 years and has curled with the same team for the past 20 years.

Dr. Kelly Butler
After graduating in 1986, Dr. Kelly Butler began her career with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, ensuring the humane treatment and health of livestock in sales facilities. An opportunity to purchase a small animal practice led her to split her time between clinical work and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), where her research traced the source of pentachlorophenol in pork – preserving Canada’s export markets and enhancing food safety.
Following a cancer diagnosis, she transitioned to public health, where she led the successful implementation of an international quality management system at the public health lab in Winnipeg.
Dr. Butler was later hired by the World Health Organization to manage the polio and measles laboratory network in the Western Pacific Region. As a side project, she investigated a malfunctioning malaria antibody test and traced the issue to production and delivery problems – work that helped ensure its ongoing global use.
After returning to Canada, she began locum work and ultimately opened a small animal hospital in Vanier, Ont., with a strong focus on preventive care and support for the Community Veterinary Outreach program. Her wide-ranging career journey speaks to the depth and versatility of veterinary training.
Established in 2013, the Practice of the Year Award is sponsored by Scotiabank, a leader in banking services for professionals. The award recognizes a veterinary practice team for outstanding achievement within their local community. Such achievements may include innovations in provision of veterinary services, commitment to work-life balance, meaningful community or charitable involvement, or implementation of green practice procedures. Recipients receive $1,500.

2025 Recipient:
Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital
Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH) is a Canadian-owned, family-run specialty and emergency hospital based in Surrey, B.C. Founded in 2009 by Dr. Geoffrey Hutchinson and Dr. Sarah Charney, BBVSH delivers advanced, compassionate veterinary care through a collaborative, team-based approach.
With board-certified specialists in surgery, oncology, internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation, BBVSH provides 24/7 emergency and critical care in a 26,000 sq. ft. facility equipped with MRI, CT, and ICU capabilities. The hospital is certified as a Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Society Level I Emergency and Critical Care Facility and a Level II VetCOT Trauma Centre.
Inspired by their shared vision of excellence and empathy, Drs. Hutchinson and Charney lead with a commitment to quality of life – for both pets and their families. Their passion for innovation and education has shaped BBVSH into a trusted partner for primary care veterinarians and a lifeline for pet owners navigating complex diagnoses.
As a proud partner of Veterinarians Without Borders’ Northern Animal Health Initiative, BBVSH is also dedicated to reaching underserved communities with essential care. At BBVSH, every moment matters – from emergency intake to long-term treatment – because every patient is family.
The CVMA President's Award is periodically bestowed to recognize an individual member for his/her exceptional contributions and devotion to the association. Recipients are selected by the President and the CVMA Executive Committee.

2025 Recipient:
Dr. Jean Gauvin
Following in his veterinarian grandfather’s footsteps, Dr. Jean Gauvin holds a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, a certificate in small animal dentistry from the Université de Montréal, and a certificate in fish health management from the University of Georgia.
After nearly four decades in small animal practice, he retired in 2019 and now works as a consultant and translator. His academic roles have included teaching at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (FMV), the Atlantic Veterinary College, and CEGEP Lionel-Groulx.
Dr. Gauvin has served in national and provincial veterinary associations since 1984. He was CVMA president and chaired the 2014 Summit on Antimicrobial Stewardship. He currently chairs the CVMA Communications Advisory Group and the AMVQ Governance and Ethics Committee. He is also a past AMVQ president and former member of the OMVQ licensing board.
A media veteran with more than 35 years of broadcasting experience, Dr. Gauvin is the author of two reptile guides and a book on canine and feline emotions, co-creator of educational behaviour videos, and former co-host of the popular TV show Pas si bête que ça !. He is currently a veterinary columnist for Radio-Canada Première’s Moteur de recherche.
His contributions have earned him the AMVQ Damasse Généreux Award (1995) and the CVMA Small Animal Practitioner of the Year Award (2000).
The CVMA Student Leadership Award, instituted in 1966, consists of a plaque and a monetary award presented annually to a 3rd-year veterinary student at each of the Canadian veterinary colleges. The recipient is selected by their classmates based on their leadership and achievement in student affairs.

Jamye MacWilliam
Jamye MacWilliam is a fourth year veterinary student at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). Jamye has been heavily involved in student activities since her first year at AVC and is incredibly thankful to her classmates for selecting her for this award.
Jamye was born in Montreal, but has called Prince Edward Island home for the past 11 years. Jamye developed her strong work ethic and leadership skills at a non-profit organization called Parkside Ranch in Orford, Quebec where her love for horses and veterinary medicine grew. At Parkside Ranch, Jamye learned to lead with a strong heart and open mind and she has continued this in all her leadership roles.
Jamye completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology at the University of Prince Edward Island and her master's in Health Management at the Atlantic Veterinary College. After graduate school Jamye started her veterinary studies and has loved being a vet student. Jamye’s class, the Class of 2024, is filled with wonderful, kind, and knowledgeable people that Jamye is grateful know. She also has had the privilege of being involved in the close-knit community of the AVC through being President of the Society of Atlantic Veterinary Students, and being involved in her class executive and other clubs.
Jamye plans on practicing Large Animal Medicine after graduation and in her spare time she enjoys training her horse, hiking with her dog and baking.

Frédérique Massicotte
Frédérique Massicotte is an academic delegate and class representative for the students in their third year of the DVM program at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal (FMV), and feels honored to work with the students and the members of the student union!
Frédérique is always listening to her colleagues, who put their trust in her to put forward their opinions and ideas to the faculty and the student union.
She is also co-president of the Animal Welfare Student Committee (CEBA), in which she is fully devoted in the development of several projects since 2020 to revive this committee which is dear to her.
Frédérique has worked tirelessly on a project of sponsorship involving the veterinary students and the dogs from the colony of animals used in teaching activities, for the beagles to have more stimulations and she is currently working on a long-term activities program of enrichment for each animal species housed at the veterinary school.
Her involvement demonstrates a lot of leadership, especially in her promotion and in the CEBA, where she can find new ideas and to make sure that everyone can share their opinion on each proposition. She is greatly involved in her promotion and in student life, allowing several hours per week throughout the school year, which according to her is worth it because the students appreciate it!
Frédérique wishes to thank the CVMA for this generous award. For Frédérique, the CVMA Student Leadership Award represents a real boost and gives her the motivation to continue her involvement in the student community!

Justin Peralta
Justin Peralta is a fourth year student at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) where he serves as Co-President of his class. Fellowship amongst his peers is a major priority for him. Justin’s main goals as Co-President has always been promoting inclusivity and being a voice for his classmates.
Over the past two years, he has volunteered with the Kim and Stu Lang Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP) by attending clinics where they provide access to care in communities that are historically underrepresented. Justin is tremendously honoured to have been voted for by his peers for this award on the basis of his leadership.
During his time at OVC, he received the OVCAA Spirit Prize and the OVC 1996 Legacy Scholarship. Both awards are given based on a vote by his peers and recognize his leadership roles and involvement in his class.
Upon graduation in April, Justin plans to pursue a career in small animal medicine with a focus in primary care and community medicine. He looks forward to working on providing care to all members of his future community. He has a passion for representation and providing a spectrum of care.
Justin is eager to use what he has learned thus far to help bridge the gaps in access to veterinary medicine.

Katie Jones
Katie Jones is a third year veterinary student at the University of Calgary — Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM). She is passionate about leadership and being an active and positive part of her community.
Katie graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Calgary in 2021, wherein she completed a study abroad program associated with the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, and a research thesis in Coho Salmon genetics. Now in her DVM journey, she has been elected as the Class of 2025 President for the past three years and is an executive member of many clubs, including the Small Animal Club and the Ecosystem and Public Health Club.
Katie enjoys being involved in education and outreach events, including at the Calgary Stampede and University of Calgary Open Houses, where she can help foster early connections among individuals interested in veterinary medicine. She pursues opportunities to further her clinical learning, including working at a small animal emergency and referral center, volunteering at spay/neuter and wildlife clinics, and participating in externship programs within multiple specialties.
After graduation, she aims to pursue a small animal rotating internship and hopes her veterinary career will take her around the world helping communities, domestic animals, and local wildlife wherever she goes. Her interests are varied, and she is excited to explore the many diverse fields of veterinary medicine after graduation.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Katie enjoys traveling the world, horse riding, scuba diving, acting, and hiking in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Katie is grateful to her family and colleagues for supporting her in her pursuit of leadership and sincerely thanks her peers and the CVMA community for this award.

Kiri Stephenson
Kiri Stephenson is a fourth year student at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon. She is originally from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, but completed her Bachelor of Science at the University of British Columbia. Starting during her youth in the North, she has been involved in academic and extracurricular student representation in various organizations, and this has continued during her time at the WCVM.
Kiri finds she is best suited in liaison-type roles as a student representative. She is a Student-Teacher Educational Progress Committee Representative for the Class of 2024, and was the Curriculum Committee’s Student Representative in the past academic year. She is also one of the Sustainability Representatives for her Class, and was involved as an executive member and organizer in both the Western Canadian Veterinary Students’ Association and WCVM’s Vet-A-Vision open-house this past academic year. She has been an executive member for the Production Animal Club and the Wildlife Disease Association at WCVM across multiple years.
In time away from academics and representative roles, Kiri can be found between the posts as goaltender for the WCVM Women’s Recreational Hockey Team – two-time back-to-back champions of their division at the University of Saskatchewan. She also enjoys various other active pursuits like cycling and weightlifting, and rounds out her hobbies with knitting and podcast listening (avidly).
Kiri is excited to be starting her career as a large animal veterinarian in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia following graduation, and looks forward to continuing to represent the veterinary community wherever possible. She is grateful to her classmates for their selection of her for this CVMA Student Leadership Award at WCVM, and is always happy to represent and support them.
The CVMA Teacher of the Year Award is presented annually to a teacher at each of the five Canadian veterinary colleges. The recipient, selected by veterinary students, is a teacher who inspired them most by their approach to the subject, teaching methods, and enthusiasm.

Dr. Sheri Ross
Dr. Sheri Ross is an associate professor at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the University of Prince Edward Island. She is a member of the Small Animal Internal Medicine team and teaches pre-clinical lectures and laboratories along with clinical rotations and post-graduate training.
Dr. Ross graduated from the Atlantic Veterinary College (‘96) and went on to complete her Internship, Internal Medicine Residency and PhD in Nephrology and Urology at the University of Minnesota. After serving as an Assistant Clinical Professor in MN, she moved to the University of California Veterinary Medical Center in San Diego in 2006 to complete a Fellowship in Renal Medicine/Hemodialysis. She remained with UC Davis as the coordinator of the Nephrology/Urology and Extracorporeal therapies program in San Diego. In 2022, she finally returned home to the Atlantic Veterinary College and is thankful for the opportunity to pursue her passion for teaching and clinical training. Dr. Ross is a founding member of the American College of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology, an IRIS Board Member, and a Faculty member of the Hemodialysis Academy. Her passions include teaching, cats and kidneys!
Dr. Ross’ advice to veterinary students and new graduates: “When faced with a clinical problem, ask why until you find an answer.” And remember: "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." (-Pooh)

Dr. Guillaume St-Jean
Dr. Guillaume St-Jean enrolled at la Faculté de médecine vétérinaire de l’Université de Montréal (FMV) in the veterinary medicine program in 2008. Throughout his DVM program, he developed a growing interest in veterinary pathology.
Following his graduation from the FMV in 2013, he immediately started a graduate program in veterinary pathology, also at FMV.
During this period, he realized that he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with the veterinary students and that he wanted to actively contribute to the training of future veterinarians and researchers.
To do so, at the same time he was doing his residency program in pathology he enrolled in a M.Sc. program. Upon completing his residency and successfully passing the certification exams of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, he switched to a Ph.D. program.
He had the occasion to acquire skills and knowledge in the field of animal reproduction by studying different transgenic mice models and the role of certain genes in the development of the uterus.
After completing his Ph.D., he spent a short period of time in a private company specializing in toxicopathology. In the Fall of 2020, Dr. St-Jean had the opportunity to come back to his alma mater as assistant-professor in veterinary pathology.
He felt a great satisfaction to be able to give back to an institution that brought him so much!
Since his return, he teaches veterinary pathology (THE most remarkable topic… in his opinion!) to veterinary students. He hopes that as his career evolves, that he will be able to transmit his passion to the students, with energy, pleasure, attention, availability, and humor. All the ingredients to help his students realize the importance of this subject.
Dr. St-Jean’s advice to veterinary students and new graduates: “I wish you to retain, like a sponge, all the information that make you vibrate internally, and to rely on those vibrations to guide your professional path. Go for it! Try! Don’t be afraid of what’s ahead and of failure! There is no success without trying (just ask researchers who compete for grants…).”
Another piece of advice for his students: “If you are doing pathological work and you can’t identify a structure… there is a good probability that it belongs to the reproductive system…”

Dr. Melissa MacIver
Dr. Melissa MacIver, Assistant Professor of Small Animal Surgery at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC), obtained her DVM from OVC in 2013. She completed a small animal rotating internship at the 404 Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital followed by a small animal surgical internship at the University of Florida.
She then completed a residency in small animal surgery and a concurrent Master's of Science in stem cell therapy at Texas A&M University. She obtained her board certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2020. Dr. MacIver was hired at OVC as an assistant professor in the fall of 2019. Her main interests include orthopaedic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and stem cell therapy. Teaching has always been a passion for Dr. MacIver. One of the most rewarding experiences is watching students become more confident in their spay and neuter surgeries.
Dr. MacIver’s advice to veterinary students and new graduates: “Always continue learning and keep an open mind. Stay positive and remember that every time one door closes, another one opens.”

Dr. Søren Boysen
Dr. Søren Boysen graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in 1996, completed an internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in 1998, and did his residency training in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) at Tufts University in Massachusetts, becoming a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2003.
The former Chief of Veterinary, ECC, at the University of Montreal is currently employed as a Full Professor in Small Animal ECC at the University of Calgary. Although he loves all things veterinary ECC, he is a true point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) aficionado, having introduced POCUS to the small animal veterinary profession in 1999!
Dr. Boysen’s advice to veterinary students and new graduates: "Becoming a successful vet is not a 4-year learning process, it's a lifelong journey. The journey is much easier if you find something you love and are passionate about; find something you love! I love veterinary emergency/critical care and point-of-care ultrasound, neither existed when I was a vet student, but somehow, we found each other, and I now travel the world teaching both. So be open to new ideas and challenges, they may open doors to a whole new world you never imagined. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Failure is not a letter grade; it is the first attempt in learning, and it is far better to fail and learn than to never try. Finally, and most important of all, have fun – you only live once!"

Dr. Jen Loewen
Dr. Jen Loewen is the Assistant Professor of Small Animal Emergency Medicine and Critical Care at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).
Dr. Loewen grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba prior to earning her DVM degree at the WCVM. Following graduation, she completed a small animal rotating internship at Iowa State University and a residency in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Loewen obtained her board certification from the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2018.
She is currently working on a Master’s of Education in Health Professional Education. As the sole emergency and critical care specialist at the WCVM’s Veterinary Medical Centre, Dr. Loewen supervises and supports senior veterinary students as they train in the hospital. She also teaches part of the third-year small animal medicine and surgery course, and to further develop the college’s emergency program, she created a third-year elective course on emergency medicine and critical care. In addition to teaching veterinary students, Dr. Loewen provides support for clinical interns and the team of registered veterinary technologists who work in the emergency service and ICU.
Dr. Loewen's advice to veterinary students and new graduates: Continue to stay curious and ask "why". Look at ways that the information that you are learning in different courses can come together to form the bigger picture for the patients who you will be treating in your future if going into clinical medicine. Take advantage of the support built in while in vet school to take risks from experiences that are outside of your comfort zone to continue to grow!"
Sponsored by Petsecure Pet Health Insurance, this award is presented to a CVMA member whose work in small animal practice, clinical research or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of small animal medicine, surgery, or the management of a small animal practice. Recipients receive $1,000.

2025 Recipient:
Dr. Søren Boysen
Dr. Søren Boysen is a global leader in veterinary point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and a driving force behind its integration into emergency and critical care. He is co-founder of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Ultrasound (VECCUS) working group, co-lead of the veterinary POCUS consensus statements, and co-lead on the POCUS applications in the RECOVER initiative. A former chief of emergency and critical care (ECC) at the Université de Montréal and an original contributor to the curriculum design at the University of Calgary's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Boysen has been instrumental in advancing ECC in Quebec and Alberta.
He introduced the veterinary profession to POCUS as the primary author of the small animal FAST exam. After graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996, he completed an internship at the Atlantic Veterinary College and a residency in small animal ECC at Tufts University, becoming an ACVECC diplomate in 2003.
Dr. Boysen has published more than 150 scientific articles and two textbooks, and has received numerous teaching and research awards. He has lectured, co-taught, and collaborated on clinical research in over 30 countries.
“POCUS to LIVE; LIVE to POCUS!” perfectly captures his passion for ultrasound, teaching, and innovation.
Established in 1985, and sponsored by Merck Animal Health, this award is presented to a CVMA member whose work in large animal practice, clinical research, or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of large animal medicine and surgery, including herd health management. Recipients receive $1,000.

2025 Recipient:
Dr. John Harding
Dr. John Harding graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1988 and began his career in rural Saskatchewan, where he quickly started specializing in swine health. In 1997, he founded a swine consultancy practice while completing a Master of Science degree part-time at the University of Minnesota. He joined the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004, contributing to teaching, research, clinical service and extension in swine production medicine. He earned board certification from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2008.
In the mid-1990s, Dr. Harding helped characterize a novel disease in Saskatchewan pig herds, leading to the discovery of porcine circovirus type 2 and the development of globally successful vaccines. Over more than 30 years, his work has focused on swine infectious diseases and host resilience.
In 2022, he launched the Swine Medicine Advancement Recruitment and Training (SMART) program to address the national shortage of swine veterinarians. The program includes clinical training, student work placements, continuing education, and a remote residency that supports board certification and licensing of internationally trained veterinarians in Canada.
Outside of his veterinary work, Dr. Harding is involved in Western Painted Turtle conservation in Revelstoke, B.C.
The R.V.L. Walker Award, instituted in 1986, consists of a plaque and cash award. There are two recipients of this award: the plaque is presented annually to the President of the Students of the CVMA (SCVMA) in recognition of his/her contributions in promoting student interests in the CVMA; the cash award is made available to a veterinary student in financial need at the veterinary college where the President of the SCVMA is registered.

2025 Recipient:
Ms. Mia Edger-Lacoursière
Originally from Montreal, Mia Edger-Lacoursière is a fourth-year veterinary student at the Faculté de médecine vétérinaire (FMV) in Saint-Hyacinthe. A former elite tennis player, she now channels her competitive spirit into athletic challenges that raise funds for causes close to her heart. The lifelong companionship of her beloved cat, Cuttie, inspired her to pursue a career focused on animal health and wellbeing.
Mia has gained hands-on experience at a small animal clinic in her hometown and completed two summer internships in emergency medicine at CENTREDMV. She is deeply engaged in student life, serving as President of both the Student Chapter of the CVMA and the FMV Surgery and Anesthesia Club, as well as Class Representative for the 2026 cohort.
Outside of her academic commitments, Mia enjoys woodworking, travelling and cooking for family and friends. She is currently training for her first Olympic triathlon and recently competed in a Hyrox CrossFit event – activities that reflect her passion for personal growth and community connection.
Her journey, both in and outside the classroom, reflects the same drive, discipline and commitment she brought to competitive sport – qualities she now brings to her veterinary training.
In 2017, the CVMA instituted the CVMA International Student Leadership Award. This award consists of a plaque and a monetary award of $2,000 CDN presented annually to a third-year veterinary student who is studying at one of the AVMA-CVMA-COE accredited schools.

2025 Recipient:
Alicea Grace
Alicea Grace is currently in her third year of veterinary medicine at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.
Originally from Ottawa, Ontario, she completed a degree in animal biology and microbiology at the University of Guelph. After six years in Guelph, she was inspired to pursue her veterinary education abroad, drawn by the unique academic and cultural opportunities the UK had to offer.
Throughout her time in Glasgow, Alicea has embraced student life with enthusiasm. From her first year, she has been involved with her school’s student chapter of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). She has also contributed to the veterinary school’s main governing body (GUVMA), participated in the “Big Vet Wee Vet” student mentorship program, and served as a Veterinary Public Health Association (VPHA) student ambassador with the Glasgow University One Health Society (GUOHS).
Alicea is passionate about building community, organizing engaging and educational events, and helping fellow Canadian students feel at home while studying abroad.
Though graduation is still two years away, Alicea plans to return to Ontario to practice small animal medicine. She hopes to guide and support both current and future veterinary students, playing a meaningful role in shaping the next generation of veterinary professionals.