Where – Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Truro, Nova Scotia

When – Saturday, October 5th, 2024 (9:00AM – 5:00PM) – registration starts at 8:30AM

Cost – $100 for members of provincial horse federations (i.e., Equestrian Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Equestrian Association, Island Horse Council, Newfoundland & Labrador Equestrian Association).  $150 for General Public registration.  

Refunds/Cancellations – A partial refund is available for registrants who inform Equine Guelph ([email protected]) no later than 45 days prior to the event. (Wednesday, August 21st)

Note: If you have financial barriers that may prevent you from joining us, please reach out at [email protected] to discuss how we may be able to assist you with this.

Major Sponsor

Mike King  – Mike is a Partner at Acera Insurance, our major Conference sponsor, and the national lead for their equine industry insurance and risk management programs serving clients from Coast to Coast. Mike has been involved in the horse industry for most of his life having participated at one point or another as horse owner, pleasure and competition rider, coach, judge, and facility manager. Today, various insurance programs under his management and oversight serve over 80,000 equine enthusiasts from coast-to-coast.  As a specialist, Mike is regularly invited to speak to groups on topics related to risk management and insurance in the equine industry across Canada.

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Trevor Lawson

Dr. Trevor Lawson – DVM, Fundy Vets (Shubenacadie, NS).  President – Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Dr. Trevor Lawson grew up on a small farm in rural New Brunswick and was heavily influenced by his grandfather, a life-long small farmer. Since joining Fundy Vets in 2004 he has followed his passion and devoted his time to equine and bovine clients in constant pursuit of developing strong client relationships and improving the welfare of animals. He is a committed volunteer and has served with the Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association, becoming President in 2010, and serving with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association on the national Animal Welfare Committee from 2010-2018.  Trevor has served as Chair of the Nova Scotia Animal Cruelty Appeal Board and with the Dairy Farmer’s of Canada Animal Welfare Group. Trevor was recognized by his peers in 2014 when he received the NSVMA “Young Veterinarian Award”.  In a truly unique experience, Trevor became a member of the Governor General’s Canadian Leadership Conference in 2015 – a formative and mind-growing experience! Dr. Lawson will be speaking on lameness with Dr. Chris White, and is part of the Symposium’s Welfare Panel.

Speakers

Dr. Chris White

Dr. Chris White – DVM, Cornwallis Veterinarians, Ltd. (Kentville, NS).

Dr. White was born and raised in Litchfield, Maine, USA. He grew up training horses and competing in barrel racing throughout his childhood. After dealing with his horse’s extensive lameness growing up, he knew he wanted to help other people with their lame horses, backyard or competition, as well. As a child he loved competing, and that flame has been reignited by helping his patients compete at their best!  Chris attended the Atlantic Veterinary College, and completed a year-long internship at Equine Clinic in Upstate New York. He returned to Southern Maine and joined TNT Equine.  Dr. White enjoys equine ultrasonography and imaging, karaoke bars, and the wineries of the Annapolis Valley. He is currently working on his certification through the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP) and is a founding member of the Atlantic Association of Equine Practitioners.  Dr.White will be speaking on lameness with Dr. Lawson.

Gayle Ecker, Director of Equine Guelph

Gayle Ecker – Director, Equine Guelph  Associate Faculty at Campbell Centre for Study of Animal Welfare

Gayle is the Director of Equine Guelph and played an instrumental role in its birth and ongoing development as a Centre for the horse owner at the University of Guelph. She has dedicated her energies to advancing the equine industry through education and communications on health, welfare and safety. Gayle continues working on a ‘pyramid of education’ model – an educational approach that provides learning pathways for career development at all levels (youth education > industry skills > Equine Science Certificate and Diploma >leading to higher education) in the equine industry. In collaboration with the Office of Open Learning, Gayle developed the Equine Studies program targeted to the equine industry to provide over 20 online courses that can be combined for Business, Science and Welfare Certificates or an Equine Studies Diploma.  Gayle will be speaking with Dr. Sarah Tiller on equine gut health and colic, and is part of the Symposium’s Welfare Panel.

Dr. Sarah Tiller, on “Honey”

Dr. Sarah Tiller, DVM – University of Guelph (Retired)

Dr. Sarah Tiller is a retired small animal veterinary practice owner, and former instructor for the University of Guelph’s Equine Care and Management course.  Sarah is an American Endurance Ride Conference (AERC) certified veterinary control judge, and has been a horse owner for over fifty years.  She is a passionate supporter of improving equine welfare through education.  Dr. Tiller will be speaking with Gayle Ecker on equine gut health and colic.

Dr. Kathleen MacMillan

Dr. Kathleen MacMillan, DVM – Associate Professor, Atlantic Veterinary College (UPEI)

Dr. Kathleen MacMillan is an equine ambulatory veterinarian and Associate Professor at the Atlantic Veterinary College, UPEI. She graduated from AVC in 2001 and has earned a Bsc, Msc in equine exercise physiology and in 2013 became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Equine Practice. Since graduation, Kathleen worked in private practice both as an associate and as a practice owner where she operated a solo equine ambulatory service in PEI for 6 years prior to joining the faculty of AVC in 2010. Her clinical and research focus is on equine sports medicine, preventive medicine, and equine welfare. Kathleen obtains great satisfaction in taking care of her equine patients while teaching future veterinarians the intricacies of equine practice. Apart from her clinical and didactic teaching, Kathleen believes strongly in education and provides educational opportunities to veterinarians, horse owners, equine welfare investigators, racetrack officials and the general public. Kathleen also believes in volunteerism and has dedicated her time to various organizations and currently serves as the Scientific Coordinator and is on the Executive council for the CVMA.  Dr. MacMillan will be speaking on respiratory health, and is part of the Symposium’s Welfare Panel.

Dr. Katy Proudfoot

Dr. Katy Proudfoot, DVM – Director of Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre, Atlantic Veterinary College (UPEI)

Dr. Katy Proudfoot is an Associate Professor and Director of the Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island. Katy received her MSc and PhD at the University of British Columbia’s Animal Welfare Program, where she focused her research on understanding the welfare of dairy cattle. She then spent 6 years as an Extension Specialist in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine before moving to PEI. In her current role, Katy teaches animal behavior and welfare to veterinary students, conducts animal welfare research across a wide range of species, and creates outreach opportunities for the veterinary community to help improve the lives of animals under our care.   Dr. Proudfoot is part of the Symposium’s Welfare Panel.