Couple named to Alberta Order of Excellence established Western Canada’s only animal pharmaceutical operation
A call from Alberta lieutenant-governor Salma Lakhani came as a shock to Merle and Barbara Olson, who were recently named to the Alberta Order of Excellence.
The two Alberta veterinarians were recognized for their expertise and international renown in the fields of toxicology, as well as their work on veterinary products that address animal health and welfare issues.
“I asked, ‘is this for real?’ ” said Barbara after receiving the call on the couple’s 40th wedding anniversary. “It was quite a nice personal touch.”
The couple were named to the Alberta Order of Excellence earlier this month — the highest award in the province — after a lifetime of treating rural livestock and researching medical treatments before setting up Alberta Veterinary Labs (AVL).
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After completing his veterinarian education at the University of Saskatchewan in 1981, Merle took a position at a two-person vet practice in Pincher Creek, Alta., where he was introduced to large-scale livestock operations.
Barbara needed to commute for a couple of years between the southwestern Alberta town and Saskatoon, where she was finishing her Ph.D. in veterinary physiological sciences at the U of S.
Merle said the experience he gained at the vet clinic in Pincher Creek was rewarding.
“Cattle ranchers are one of the groups Barb and I have had the pleasure to serve over the many years, trying to make life better for them and their animals,” he said.
The research side of veterinary medicine eventually beckoned and the couple landed at the University of Calgary where the first seeds were planted of what would grow into AVL.
While at the U of C, the couple researched animal bacterial diseases and pain management treatments, specifically dealing with cattle.
But while the research proved fruitful for the couple and provided valuable experience, developing practical solutions to producer issues proved frustrating.
“Nothing ever got commercialized,” said Merle.
In 2004, the couple left the university to form AVL to provide the solutions.
“The producers and veterinarians came to us and said for us to sustain our industry, we need to address animal welfare issues. Specifically, pain management and antibiotic resistance,” said Merle. “Those have been our projects — working on developing products that address those two major issues.”
The couple also targeted production of affordable products that had become cost prohibitive or products that had been withdrawn from the Canadian market.
“It’s been very easy for us as a company for us to grow because the producers, veterinarians have told us about their problems and our job has been to figure out how we can solve those problems with our pharmaceutical expertise,” said Merle.
AVL is also a family affair with two of the couple’s three sons working at the operation along with a daughter-in-law.
“We’re in it for the long haul,” said Barbara. “We want to ensure we have the means for the company to continue and move ahead.”
Like a farm or ranch, Barbara said the family commitment to an operation is key to ensuring long-term viability through their investment of long hours into the company.
“You know they’ve got the commitment. It’s not to say our other staff are not committed, we have an amazing staff,” she said. “But you know there is that commitment to the company and everything to see the company move ahead and be successful.”
Alberta Order of Excellence awards were also given to two others connected to agriculture in the province this year.
Kainai Nation elder Lena Heavy Shields-Russell (Ikkináínihki), a former rancher on the Blood Reserve, was given the award for her work in preserving the Blackfoot language and culture.
Cor Van Raay, who died earlier this year, also received the recognition for his contributions to developing the agri-food industry in southern Alberta.
