Dr. David Waltner-Toews, a graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), was appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada – one of the country’s highest civilian honours.
Dr. David Waltner-Toews is a 1978 graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo courtesy Ontario Veterinary College.

WCVM alumni appointed to Order of Canada

Dr. David Waltner-Toews, a graduate of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), was appointed as an officer of the Order of Canada – one of the country’s highest civilian honours.

By WCVM Today

Waltner-Toews was recognized for his leadership and expertise in ecosystem approaches to health, and for supporting development worldwide. The level of officer (OC) recognizes achievement and merit of a high degree, especially service to Canada or to humanity at large.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon announced 85 new appointments to the Order of Canada and four promotions within the order on June 29.

Waltner-Toews is a 1978 graduate of the WCVM. He is a professor emeritus in the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph.

He is the founding president of Veterinarians Without Borders/ Vétérinaires sans Frontières – Canada and founding president of the Network for Ecosystem Sustainability and Health. His work in what was then called “ecosystem health” paved the way for One Health— the connection and intersection of human, animal and environmental health.

In addition to his scholarly work, Waltner-Toews has published an extensive amount of non-fiction, fiction and poetry writing. Some of his non-fiction writing delves into explaining scientific topics to a lay audience, with titles such as The Origin of Feces and Food, Sex and Salmonella.

Waltner-Toews is now retired and lives in Kitchener, Ont. He is the second WCVM alumni invested into the Order of Canada over the past twelve months. Dr. Frederick (Ted) Leighton, a professor emeritus and 1979 DVM graduate, was appointed to the Order of Canada in December 2021.

Created in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. More than 7,000 people from all sectors of society have been invested into the order.

Click here to read the original news release.

Waltner-Toews will give a presentation titled "Veterinary Medicine at the Margins: Bugs, Dung and Wicked Zoonoses" at the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) conference on Sept. 9, 2022. Visit the SVMA website for more information.