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Alberta Veterinarian Honoured for Dedicating Career to Canadian Cattle Care with a Focus on Cattle Health Production and Disease Surveillance
June 27, 2024
Calgary, Alta. – Dr. Phil Klassen was awarded the 2024 Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) Merck Veterinary Award during the Annual CVMA Awards Gala on June 26 for his decades of cattle work that has significantly contributed to the overall improvement of the bovine industry, particularly in cattle production medicine and disease surveillance.
Dr. Klassen graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982 and practices at Cattle Health Management (formerly Coaldale Veterinary Clinic Ltd.) based in Coaldale, Alta. He focuses on providing veterinary consulting services to feedlot clients in southern Alberta and has accumulated four decades of experience in the field. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to serving the Coaldale community.
“Dr. Klassen has been instrumental in building the feedlot consulting business and providing high-level service to the cattle industry. He helped create the company values that provide direction to all staff: excellence, integrity, kindness, and work-life harmony,” says Dr. Steve Hendrick, a colleague of Dr. Klassen’s.
He was the founding partner of Coaldale Veterinary Clinic Ltd. in the early 1980’s. Over the course of Dr. Klassen’s career, the clinic has grown from two veterinarians to over 15 veterinarians with a team of nutritionists, animal scientists, technicians, and other administrative support to better serve bovine clients across Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. His practice encompasses a wide range of veterinary services tailored to the feedlot sector, with a particular focus on cattle health and production monitoring, as well as animal welfare and well-being. Additionally, he conducts clinical studies and provides invaluable client and staff training. Recognized for his outstanding contributions, Dr. Klassen received the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners Veterinarian of the Year award in 2007.
“Over the years we’ve grown to four feedlots and 44,000 head and Dr. Klassen has been a significant member of our team throughout this time. He has been a steady hand who provides guidance in areas beyond cattle or feeding,” says Mr. Ryan Kasko, General Manager, Kasko Cattle Co. Ltd. “His desire to teach people not only cattle health but also proper animal handling and safety has been invaluable.”
The Merck Veterinary Award, sponsored by Merck Animal Health, is presented to a veterinarian whose work in food animal production practice, clinical research, or basic sciences is judged to have contributed significantly to the advancement of food animal medicine and surgery, including herd health management.
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The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is the national and international voice for Canada’s veterinarians, providing leadership and advocacy for veterinary medicine. Each year, the CVMA proudly recognizes individuals and groups for their outstanding contribution to veterinary medicine. Visit canadianveterinarians.net to learn more about the CVMA.
Contact:
Ashley Dupont
Communications Officer
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
613-236-1162 ext. 125
adupont@cvma-acmv.org