Honouring Dr. Murray Jelinski

Inaugural Scholarship Fundraising Auction

The WCABP is proud to announce the creation of the Dr. Murray Jelinski Scholarship Fund, honouring Dr. Jelinski's 21 years of dedicated service as Secretary-Treasurer.

Dr. Jelinski has been an integral part of the WCABP for the past 21 years as the Secretary/Treasurer and, prior to that, as a member. He has always been passionate about the bovine practice, students, and the sustainability of rural veterinary medicine. We want to recognize his contributions to shaping our association and its success by forming a scholarship fund in his honour.

This scholarship will support fourth-year Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) and University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) veterinary students who have already identified a specific interest in bovine medicine. The scholarship will assist students by helping to offset the costs of bovine specific externship experiences in bovine and rural practices to round out their education and increase their expertise in this area prior to graduation--an important step in their journey toward becoming rural/bovine practicing veterinarians.

This scholarship will be awarded annually starting in the fall of 2026, and the amount will be determined based on the foundation investment we are able to establish during out 2026 Conference.

To launch the scholarship, we will be holding our inaugural fundraising auction following dinner on Thursday, January 15, during the WCABP Annual Conference. Both live and silent auctions will take place, and we are seeking donated items from our members to make this event a success. If you are able to contribute, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. prior to the conference with details about your donation.

Together let's honour Murray's lasting contributions to the WCABP and invest in the future of our profession!

Donate Today!

Exciting Announcement for AHTs and RVTs!

Starting April 15, 2025, the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP) is thrilled to launch a new membership category specifically for Animal Health Technologists (AHTs) and Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs)!

We are proud to welcome AHTs and RVTs into our association with the creation of this new membership classification. This initiative strengthens our collaboration with AHT/RVT associations and offers enhanced benefits to AHT/RVT members. As a member of WCABP, you will gain access to the members-only section of our website, which features recordings from past conferences, valuable resources, and educational materials.  Additionally, new members will be entitled to attend our annual conference at member rates, ensuring access to top-quality continuing education.

Membership Benefits:

• Access to exclusive educational resources on the WCABP website
• Member rates for attending our annual conference
• Networking opportunities with a community dedicated to veterinary excellence
• One Ex Officio seat on the board available for an AHT/RVT member

Membership Cost:
The annual membership fee is $150. However, for this year only, we are offering a special rate. Sign up now for just $100 and be part of this exciting new chapter in our association!

Visit our membership page at wcabp.com to learn more about the perks of membership and to sign up.

Join us in fostering a collaborative and supportive community for AHTs and RVTs—your journey with WCABP starts here!

Alberta’s Dr. Steve Hendrick named bovine veterinarian of the year by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners

January 16, 2025 – Dr. Steve Hendrick of Lethbridge, Alberta has been named the winner of the 2025 Veterinarian of the Year Award, presented by the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP) and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc. He is recognized for his significant contributions to bovine veterinary medicine and the cattle industry in western Canada, notably in clinical practice, research and mentoring future generations of bovine practitioners.

The Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award honours a veterinarian for being a leader in advancing bovine health, and for demonstrating a strong commitment to veterinary practice, the cattle industry and the veterinary profession, specifically in western Canada. Dr. Hendrick was announced as the winner at the WCABP annual conference in Saskatoon on January 16, 2025.

“On behalf of the WCABP, I would like to congratulate Dr. Steve Hendrick on being honoured as the 2025 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year,” said Dr. Anne Rogers, President of WCABP. “This recognition reflects his dedication, expertise and commitment to bovine veterinary medicine. His role as a teacher and mentor has left a lasting impression on many of us. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement.”

Dr. Hendrick is a consulting veterinarian and epidemiologist at Telus Agriculture in Lethbridge where he focuses on feedlot, dairy and cow-calf veterinary medicine. Prior to joining private practice, he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Services at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM).

In addition to his work in clinical practice, Dr. Hendrick has spearheaded new practice development programs into nutrition services, data analytics and a greenhouse gas initiative. He was instrumental in the development of herd health and management programs in all three clinical service sectors: feedlot, dairy and cow-calf.

Dr. Hendrick is an exemplary leader, generously shares his profound knowledge and clinical experience with colleagues, students and veterinarians in cattle practice across western Canada.

“I am deeply honoured to accept the WCABP Bovine Veterinarian of the Year Award. This recognition is not just a reflection of my own efforts but also of the remarkable community of veterinarians, producers, and colleagues who inspire and support me every day,” said Dr. Hendrick. “I am grateful to be part of a professional association that impacts both the animals we care for and the people who depend on them. Thank you to the WCABP for this incredible acknowledgement.”

Jacques Bouthillette, Business Unit Director, Bovine with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc., explained the Boehringer Ingelheim WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award recognizes exceptional leaders who are making significant contributions to the cattle industry in western Canada while also demonstrating a strong commitment to the veterinary profession.

“Congratulations to Dr. Hendrick for being recognized as the 2025 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year,” Bouthillette said. “His distinguished career in academia, combined with his work in private practice, have led to a deep and lasting effect on bovine veterinary medicine, and more broadly, the cattle industry in Canada.”

Bouthillette thanked the WCABP for its work to seek nominations and select the recipient of the award.

About Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP)
The Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners is the voice of over 250 veterinarians specializing in the treatment of dairy and beef cattle in the four western provinces. WCABP provides continuing education for its members and encourages youth to consider a career in bovine practice. WCABP serves as an advocate on issues directly affecting members' scope of practice and provides expert opinion to government, educational institutions, and other related industries on issues affecting the food animal industry.

Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that transform lives, today and for generations to come. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term, sustainable perspective. More than 53,000 employees serve over 130 markets in the two business units, Human Pharma and Animal Health. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/ca.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health
Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health is working on first-in-class innovation for the prediction, prevention, and treatment of diseases in animals. For veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and governments in more than 150 countries, we offer a large and innovative portfolio of products and services to improve the health and well-being of companion animals and livestock. As a global leader in the animal health industry and as part of family-owned Boehringer Ingelheim, we take a long-term perspective. The lives of animals and humans are interconnected in deep and complex ways. We know that when animals are healthy, humans are healthier too. By using the synergies between our Animal Health and Human Pharma businesses and by delivering value through innovation, we enhance the health and well-being of both. For more information visit: https://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/animal-health

About the Boehringer Ingelheim Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Veterinarian of the Year Award
Boehringer Ingelheim Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Veterinarian of the Year Award is given annually to a veterinarian in Western Canada who meets some, but not necessarily all, of the following criteria:

1. History of service and dedication to veterinary practice and the cattle industry.
2. History of service to the veterinary profession, specifically to the WCABP and other Western Canadian provincial veterinary associations.
3. Reputation for clinical competency or for being a pioneer or leader in bovine medicine, surgery, or herd health.

Media Contacts

Bobbe Poncelet
Administrator
Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone:1-866-269-8387

Merry Garbutt
Corporate Communications Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: (905) 631-4531

Nominate a veterinarian to receive the Boehringer Ingelheim 2026 WCABP Veterinarian of the Year Award in recognition of his/her outstanding contributions in the field of bovine medicine in Western Canada.

Download (PDF) here