FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2025
Kendra Keels honoured with the Carl Block Award for her life-long leadership in the Canadian livestock sector
Guelph, ON –– Animal Health Canada is proud to announce Kendra Keels as the 2025 Carl Block Award recipient, recognizing her outstanding commitment to the veal industry and the broader livestock sector, including the dairy calf, in Ontario and across Canada.
As the Industry Development Director at Veal Farmers of Ontario (VFO) for almost 20 years, Kendra has championed animal health and welfare, strengthened producer supports, and advanced collaboration across Canadian agriculture.
“Kendra Keels has dedicated her career to improving animal health and welfare in the Ontario and Canadian veal sectors,” says Jennifer Haley, VFO Executive Director. “Her work has not only advanced the veal and dairy calf industries but has also contributed
significantly to Canada’s overall approach to animal health and welfare.”
Kendra has been a strong advocate for industry collaboration and policy development, strengthening the voice of both veal and dairy calf producers within the broader Canadian agricultural landscape. She has championed producer education and training programs, giving farmers the tools they need to enhance animal health and sustainability. She has played a pivotal role in guiding the development and implementation of the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Veal Cattle, ensuring that the highest standards of animal welfare are met.
“Kendra Keels embodies the values of the Carl Block Award through her leadership, her decades-long commitment, and her passion for animal agriculture,” says Dr. David Renaud of the University of Guelph. “I can think of no one more deserving.”
Kendra was awarded the 2025 Carl Block Award during a ceremony on September 23 at the 2025 Animal Health Canada 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 Carl Block Award honours the memory of Carl Block, a cattleman whose tireless dedication to Canadian agriculture and commitment to animal health will long be remembered. The award is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership, commitment, and passion in enhancing animal agriculture in Canada.
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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