News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2024

University of Calgary professor honoured for his demonstrated leadership, commitment and passion for enhancing animal agriculture in Canada

Ottawa, ON –– Animal Health Canada is pleased to announce Dr. Edmund (Ed) Pajor as the recipient of the 2024 Carl Block Award. This award recognizes Dr. Pajor’s outstanding contributions to advancing animal health through research, tireless commitment to animal welfare, and dedication to shaping the next generation of veterinary professionals.

“Dr. Pajor’s unwavering dedication to animal welfare is clear in both his groundbreaking and impactful research and his exemplary commitment to mentoring future leaders in this field,” says Dr. Renate Weller, Dean and Professor, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. “His contributions to this area are unparalleled and have improved welfare standards and made lasting changes in the industry globally.”

Dr. Pajor has had a long and distinguished career studying animal behaviour and improving welfare. His research has driven advances in areas like pain management during castration, neonatal calf care, and cattle transport conditions, ensuring that animal welfare remains a priority in livestock industries.

Dr. Pajor is the inaugural Chair of the Anderson-Chisholm Chair in Animal Care and Welfare, where he leads and conducts research in animal care and welfare and engages in the transfer and mobilization of knowledge to and from Alberta farms, ranch, and the animal production community.

Dr. Pajor has mentored countless students and young veterinarians. His approach to teaching combines academic rigor with practical, hands-on experience, ensuring the next generation of animal health professionals is well-equipped to tackle the challenges facing modern agriculture.

Dr. Pajor is an in-demand speaker at producer and scientific group conferences in North American and Europe. He is often invited to sit on animal care advisory councils, including the Calgary Stampede’s Animal Care Advisory Panel, where his work has led to not only improvements in rodeo animal care, but for the agricultural industry overall, demonstrating the important connection between animal welfare and food security.

“Dr. Pajor’s evidence-based recommendations have directly improved the welfare of rodeo animals and enhanced public trust in our care standards,” says Robert Wise, Vice-President, Agri-Food & Western Events. “His leadership has not only impacted our operations but has set a global standard for animal welfare in rodeo events,”

Dr. Pajor was awarded the 2024 Carl Block Award during a ceremony at the 2024 Animal Health Canada Forum, which gathers stakeholders in Canada’s animal health and welfare system to share actions and initiatives in relation to animal health and welfare.

The award was named in honour of Carl Block, a cattleman whose tireless dedication to Canadian agriculture and commitment to animal health will long be remembered. Recipients of the award demonstrate leadership, commitment and passion for enhancing animal agriculture in Canada.

-30-

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 https://animalhealthcanada.ca.

For further information:

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