Veterinarian who brought animal medicine to the small screen receives the CVMA’s small animal practitioner award
Glacier FarmMedia – A Manitoba veterinarian who brought life as a large animal vet in the Interlake to the small screen, before switching to more urban practice, is being recognized by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Dr. Keri Hudson Reykdal was awarded the 2024 CVMA’s Small Animal Practitioner Award during the association’s awards gala June 26.
Hudson Reykdal graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and spent the next two decades providing veterinary services to farms and First Nations communities through her Ashern, Man., permanent location and mobile veterinary clinic.
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In 2017, she became the focus of a three-season documentary series that aired on Animal Planet Canada. The show, titled Dr. Keri: Prairie Vet, documented the sometimes chaotic house calls she made with her mobile clinic.
“Dr. Hudson Reykdal used this show to be an advocate for animal health and welfare. In addition to entertaining her audience with the challenges faced by rural veterinarians, she used her role to educate the public and be an ambassador for the veterinary profession,” said CVMA Manitoba council representative Kris Torske.
In late 2020, Hudson Reykdal closed her Ashern clinic and relocated to Thompson, Man. She initially came to provide temporary services but, seeing the community’s desperate need for a veterinarian, decided to establish a clinic in the northern city. North of 55 Veterinary Services continues to offer full veterinary care to the urban centre and surrounding communities.
The move made her the only veterinarian in the wider area, said Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association president Esther Hillonov.
“This move, over six hours away from her home, farm, husband and community, epitomizes her dedication and willingness to put the needs of animals and their owners above her own comfort and convenience.”
Hudson Reykdal has been an active member of the CVMA’s provincial counterpart. She served on the board of the MVMA as vice-president in 2021, president in 2022, and past president last year.
