OVC professor receives Canadian Animal Health Coalition’s Carl Block Award

An OVC professor and researcher with a distinguished career in animal health and welfare education, small animal ruminant industries and food-animal agriculture, is this year’s recipient of the Canadian Animal Health Coalition (CAHC) Carl Block Award.

Dr. Paula Menzies was presented the award at the Canadian Animal Health Coalition’s annual Appreciation Reception in Ottawa last week. 

“Dr. Menzies has worked tirelessly to promote the health and welfare of the Canadian sheep flock and goat industry. She has been instrumental in informing and developing Canadian agricultural policy and programs, including codes of practice, disease eradication campaigns, and flock/herd health programs”, says CAHC Chair, Jennifer MacTavish.

“The small animal ruminant industries could not have a better advocate. Both at the national and international levels, Paula is renowned as a leader in health and zoonotic issues affecting small ruminants,” says OVC parasitologist Dr. Andrew Peregrine.

Dr. Menzies received her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Guelph, and then went on to complete her Masters in Preventive Veterinary Medicine at the University of California. After graduating, Menzies worked in a large animal practice prior to joining the Ontario Veterinary College. She has a profound record of research funding, publications in refereed journals, as well as numerous invited publications, book chapters, and producer manuals.

Menzies has been a resolute evidenced-based advocate for veterinary drug and vaccine licensing in Canada. She is clearly recognized worldwide as an expert in small ruminant agriculture, and is regularly invited to present at veterinary and producer meetings locally, nationally and internationally. She is a founding member of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management and is currently the Vice President of the International Sheep Veterinary Association, in addition to work with numerous other industry organizations.

“I want to thank all who nominated me and wrote letters of support on my behalf. My career path with the Ruminant Health Management group at the Ontario Veterinary College – working with food animal veterinary students, veterinarians and small ruminant producers, is a daily joy. To have the recognition that my contributions have been so positively received is an overwhelming honour”, says Menzies.

The Carl Block Award is named in honour of the late Carl Block, a cattleman who was dedicated to Canadian agriculture and committed to animal health. Block was the first chair of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, as well as a Director of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, the inaugural Chair of CAHC, and former President of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.