FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2025
Animal Health Canada honours Jackie Wepruk with 2025 Leadership in Collaboration Award
Lacombe, AB – Animal Health Canada (AHC) is proud to present Jackie Wepruk with the 2025 Leadership in Collaboration Award to recognize her two decades of exceptional leadership in uniting Canada’s diverse animal health and welfare community.
As the Division Director of the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) since its founding in 2005, Jackie has brought together producers, veterinarians, animal welfare advocates, researchers, governments, and food companies to create tangible, nationally harmonized outcomes—including the Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals and Animal Care Assessment Frameworks—that guide animal care on farms, inform regulatory and assurance programs, and underpin Canada’s agri-food export credibility.
“Jackie’s ability to bridge industry needs, public expectations, and science has strengthened Canada’s animal welfare standards and public trust in agriculture,” says Dr. Tracy Fisher, President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. “Her work has made Canada a global model for collaborative farm animal welfare governance and continues to advance Animal Health Canada’s mission.”
Jackie effectively ensures NFACC’s commitment to transparency and credibility through its collaborative Code development process —public feedback surveys, scientific advisory committees and consensus decision-making. She overseen the creation or revision of 14 species-specific Codes of Practice and eight animal care assessment programs.
“For 20 years, Jackie has been the steady hand and brilliant mind behind the National Farm Animal Care Council. We didn't just survive because of her; we flourished, thanks to her dedication, her passion and her grace,” says Hans Kristensen, NFACC Chair.
The 2025 Leadership in Collaboration Award was presented at a ceremony on September 23, 2025, during the annual Animal Health Canada Forum in Ottawa, Ontario.
The Leadership in Collaboration Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to animal health and welfare through public-private collaboration, modeling inclusivity, mentorship, and relationship-building to advance animal agriculture. This award recognizes the efforts made to co-create policies, programs, and knowledge-sharing practices that benefit both industry and government stakeholders.
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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 https://animalhealthcanada.ca.
For further information:
Tanya Frye
Communications Director
Animal Health Canada
(613) 302-2671
tfrye@animalhealthcanada.ca