News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2024

Flock health veterinarian honoured with Animal Health Canada’s Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award

Ottawa, ON – Animal Health Canada is pleased to announce that Dr. Mike Petrik has been awarded the inaugural Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award in recognition of his passion to improving farm animal welfare on farms, hatcheries, classrooms and meeting rooms across Canada.

Dr. Petrik is a highly regarded subject matter expert for poultry welfare and veterinary medicine with over three decades of experience. He has played a key role in promoting scientifically backed practices that enhance the health of flocks and ensure consumer safety.

"His ability to communicate complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner has empowered farmers to adopt best practices, resulting in healthier flocks and safer eggs for consumers,” says Drew Black, Chief Executive Officer of Egg Farmers of Canada.

Dr. Petrik has maintained a strong commitment to animal welfare through various volunteer roles, including involvement with the National Farm Animal Care Council and the Poultry Industry Council. He is the current chair of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Committee and helped to create the Canadian Association of Poultry Veterinarians.

Dr. Petrik’s influence extends beyond Canadian borders. He has been actively involved in international development initiatives, including a training program for women in Nepal through the Rights and Economic Development for Nepal’s Empowered Women (RENEW) project. His innovative dissection video, translated for local use, has provided essential veterinary care knowledge to those in remote areas.

“In a world where we have many niche specialists, Mike is a unique blend of many specialities,” says Crystal Mackay, Chief Executive Officer of LOFT32. “He has animal health and welfare education and expertise. He has both academic and industry experience. He’s a big picture forward thinker and a practical problem solver, along with being a very open and respected communicator and expert in the field. His curiosity as both a scientist and a farm kid has fueled many discussions, new ideas, programs and policies.”

Dr. Petrik was presented the Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award during a ceremony at Animal Health Canada’s annual Forum in Ottawa, which gathers stakeholders in Canada’s animal health and welfare system to share actions and initiatives in relation to animal health and welfare.

The Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award is new this year. Recipients of the Farm Animal Welfare Leadership Award promote high standards in farmed animal care and work collaboratively to build trust both within Canadian animal agriculture and beyond.

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Animal Health Canada is the only national organization that brings together industry, federal, provincial, and territorial partners to provide collaborative guidance on a cohesive, functional, and responsive farmed animal health and welfare system in Canada. For more information, visit animalhealthcanada.ca.

For further information:

Tanya Frye
Communications Manager
Animal Health Canada
(613) 302-2671
tfrye@animalhealthcanada.ca