Recipients | Dr. Carol Morgan Memorial Award
2026 - Dr. Jill Kirk
Dr. Jill Kirk is a shelter veterinarian who graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2014 and earned a Certificate in Shelter Medicine at the same time. She then went on to earn her Masters of Science in Shelter Medicine with a Certificate in Veterinary Forensics from the University of Florida in 2020. Dr. Kirk moved to Canada in 2022 and continued to work in shelter medicine. She joined the board of the Canadian Animal Shelter and Community Medicine Association (CASMCA) in 2025. She has always been passionate about animals without anyone to speak for them, especially cats. She began treating cats for FIP and is a fierce advocate for this lifesaving treatment. She used the award to attend the 2026 Humane Canada conference to present talks on FIP treatment in the shelter as well as telemedicine veterinary support. She is eager to share her expertise and learn from others, and looks forward to sharing her findings with the members of CASCMA.
2025 - Dr. Maral Rahmani
Dr. Maral Rahmani of PoultryMed Veterinary Services, is an independent veterinarian specializing in poultry in BC, with a strong passion for improving poultry welfare. After earning a master’s and PhD degrees in poultry medicine, she then became a diplomate with American Collage of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV). Dr. Rahmani is committed to promoting animal welfare through evidence-based practices and compassionate care. She used this award to attend the 2025 ACPV workshop in April on Current Perspectives on Poultry Welfare, and then leverage this information to educate and support farmers in advancing humane practice in the industry
2024 - Dr. Wesley Cheung
Dr. Wesley Cheung is the first Shelter Medicine Resident in Canada. As part of the Community Healthcare Partnership Program (CHPP) team at the Ontario Veterinary College, he is involved in educating vet students on topics relating to shelter and community medicine, helping with the organisation of community veterinary clinics, and providing consultation services to animal rescue organisations across Canada. He used the Award to attend the 2024 Humane Canada Summit for Animals, and he is excited to implement and spread the knowledge he obtains from these sessions in his different roles, and to work towards a more equitable future in veterinary medicine.
2023 - Dr. Jeff Rau
Dr. Jeff Rau, a clinical instructor of Ruminant veterinary medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, used the Award to pursue Accreditation and Diplomate status with the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW), and to attend the International Sheep Veterinary Congress (2023) where he presented an oral communication on small ruminant euthanasia training. “I am in the unique position of training DVM students in real world settings they will encounter routinely throughout their clinical practice of veterinary medicine. Achieving ACAW Diplomate status positions me to further inspire new DVM graduates to provide leadership in animal welfare and ethics.”
2022 - Dr. Shelby Kimura
Dr. Shelby Kimura, a native Calgarian, used this grant to complete the last course required for a Master of Science degree with a concentration in Veterinary Forensic Science. “Veterinarians are responsible for preventing animal suffering. Yet, veterinarians lack adequate training in recognizing animal abuse, the link between animal abuse and human violence, and how to proceed when abuse is suspected,” says Dr. Kimura. She hopes to use her training in veterinary forensics to help change this – for the animals and the people who care about their welfare.
2021 - Dr. Laurie McDuffee
Dr. McDuffee used the grant toward completing a course in the human-animal bond, offered in partnership by the North American Veterinary Community Learning Academy and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute. The completion of the course gave her certification in the human-animal bond. “The human-animal bond is increasing in importance in our daily lives and is a fundamental aspect of One Health,” she said. “With this award, I will improve my understanding of the science behind the human-animal bond and how to maximize the mutually beneficial relationship between animals and people. I will use this knowledge in my teaching and research at the Atlantic Veterinary College.”
2020 - Dr. Laurie Gaines
Ontario shelter veterinarian Dr. Laurie Gaines was to attend the March 2020 National Animal Welfare Conference but unfortunately the in-person event was cancelled due to the pandemic. She pivoted to use the grant to virtually attend Humane Canada’s National Animal Welfare Conference in April 2021. Dr. Gaines says she is excited to “use the knowledge obtained in sessions at the conference to train animal shelter staff, improve the lives of shelter animals, and create community outreach programs focused on keeping families and pets together.”
2019 - Dr. Holly Tillotson
Veterinarian Dr. Holly Tillotson of Pacific Rim Veterinary Hospital in Port Alberni s the 2019 winner of the AWFC’s CMMA. Dr. Tillotson used the $1000 grant to attend the International Veterinary Forensic Sciences Association annual conference in May 2019. “Presently there are few veterinarians with any training in forensics, especially in Canada. The dilemma our profession faces is that while we want to assist in the investigation of crimes against animals, we need additional training to play a more meaningful role”, says Tillotson.
2018 - Dr. Susi Cienciala
Equine veterinarian Dr. Susi Cienciala of Deep Creek Veterinary Services is the recipient of the first-ever Dr. Carol Morgan Memorial Award. She used her $1000 grant towards an online diploma in equitation science, which focuses on how horses learn, by studying the behaviour and cognition of horses. “I hope to create a webinar for veterinary students on low-stress handling of equine patients. This information on the science of how horses learn will improve the horses’ welfare, keep veterinary students safer and empower them with information they can pass onto their clients and colleagues”, Cienciala says.