Award recognizes outstanding contributions to advancing animal welfare in Canada

September 22, 2025 – Dr. Isabelle Maheu of Sainte-Christine, Quebec has been named the recipient of the 2025 Metacam^® Bovine Welfare Award for her unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of cattle. Her pioneering work and contributions to improving animal welfare have been instrumental within Canada’s agricultural and veterinary community.

The Metacam^® Bovine Welfare Award is presented annually by the Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins (ACVB) in partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada Inc. Dr. Maheu was presented with the award at the 2025 L’Association des Médecins Vétérinaires Praticiens du Québec annual conference on Sept. 20, 2025.

“The CABV/ACVB extends its congratulations to Dr. Isabelle Maheu,” said Dr. Nathan Erickson, President of the CABV/ACVB. “Dr. Maheu’s dedication to educating clients on pain management and proper care for injured animals has made a meaningful and positive impact to cattle welfare and the veterinary profession.”

Dr. Maheu is a veterinarian at the Bureau vétérinaire de Richmond where she focuses on preventive and curative medicine for cattle. She is committed to educating clients about the importance of pain management and proper methods for moving non-ambulatory cows, with an emphasis on using appropriate tools. She also shares her knowledge by mentoring students at the University of Montreal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Beyond her daily practice, Dr. Maheu was at the heart of the creation of a working group within the Stratégie québécoise en santé et bien-être animal, focused on non-health related animal emergencies. The group’s mandate is to support owners, animal caretakers and industry specialists in preparing for crisis situations, including fires. Her work on emergency planning has been presented at provincial conferences to veterinarians, agronomists and producers – raising awareness, sharing practical knowledge and driving solutions to improve animal welfare during crisis. She also worked with local firefighters to strengthen resource coordination, ensuring access to adapted material and faster mobilization of veterinary services during farm fires, ultimately improving animal care and outcomes.

“I feel extremely privileged to have been nominated for an award I hold in such high regard,” Dr. Maheu said. “Without the support of my many colleagues, I wouldn’t have been able to dedicate myself so fully to this concern for animal welfare, which has always been at the heart of my practice.”

Dr. Maheu is recognized by her colleagues and clients for her devotion and professional rigor to improving animal welfare and driving meaningful change.

In support of her award nomination, Jean-Phillippe Roy, DVM, M.Sc., Dipl. ECBHM, Full professor at University of Montreal, said Dr. Maheu is an extraordinary leader and is a role model for the veterinary profession.

“Dr. Maheu is a passionate veterinarian, dedicated to animal welfare along with demonstrating outstanding human qualities,” he said. “Her ultimate objective has always been the health and well-being of farm animals, which is the source of her motivation and what has guided her remarkable accomplishments.”

Jacques Bouthillette, Business Unit Director, Bovine with Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Canada, explained the Metacam^® Bovine Welfare Award recognizes and encourages those who research and work to advance animal welfare and well-being.

“Congratulations to Dr. Maheu for her outstanding accomplishments and contributions to the advancement of bovine welfare in Canada.” said Bouthillette. “Her work and strong welfare philosophy are making a lasting impact, not only on animal care but across the broader agricultural community.”

Bouthillette thanked the CABV/ACVB for its work to seek nominations and select the recipient of the award.

About CABV/ACVB  

The Canadian Association of Bovine Veterinarians (CABV) / Association Canadienne des Vétérinaires Bovins (ACVB) represents approximately 800 veterinarians from across Canada who have a specific interest in bovine health and production medicine. The Board is composed of twelve members who are also representatives on the Boards of Canada’s four regional bovine associations: Atlantic Bovine Practitioners Association (ABPA), l'Association des Médecins Vétérinaires Praticiens du Québec (AMVPQ), Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP) and the Western Canadian Association of Bovine Practitioners (WCABP). 

Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd.  

Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health. As one of the industry’s top investors in research and development, the company focuses on developing innovative therapies that can improve and extend lives in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain. Our approximately 54,500 employees serve over 130 markets to build a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable tomorrow. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 500 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/ca.  

About Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health 

Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com/ca/animal-health  

About the Metacam^® Bovine Welfare Award 

The Metacam^® 20 Bovine Welfare Award is given annually to a DVM or animal scientist working in Canada, a faculty member or a graduate student of a Canadian university to recognize his/her achievements in advancing the welfare of animals via leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy. By doing so, the CABV/ACVB hopes to raise public awareness of the important role veterinarians and animal scientists play in:

• Improving bovine welfare in cattle production and research systems
• Improving scientific methods of measuring bovine welfare

Metacam^® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica GmbH, used under license. 

Past Metacam 20 Bovine Welfare Award Recipients

2024 - Dr. Diego Moya (Saskatchewan)
2023 - Dr. Charlotte Winder (Ontario)
2022 - Dr. Karen Schartzkopf-Genswein (Alberta)
2021 - Dr. Trevor DeVries (Ontario)
2020 - Dr. Karin Orsel (Alberta)
2019 - Dr. André Desrochers (Quebec)
2018 - Dr. Todd Duffield (Ontario)
2017 - Dr. Joyce Van Donkersgoed (Alberta)
2016 - Dr. Ken Leslie (Ontario)
2015 - Dr. Ed Pajor (Alberta)
2014 - Dr. Joseph Stookey (Saskatchewan)
2013 - Drs. Marina von Keyserlingk and Dan Weary (British Columbia)
2012 - Dr. Neil Anderson (Ontario)