A Manitoba veterinarian who brought her 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 assoication’s annual awards gala June 26.
Hudson Reykdal graduated from Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000 and spent the next two decades providing veterinarian services to farms and both rural and First Nations communities through her Ashern, Man., permanent location and mobile veterinary clinic.
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In 2017, Hudson Reykdal became the focus of a three-season documentary series that aired on Animal Planet Canada between 2017 and 2020. 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 in to provide temporary services but, seeing the community’s desperate need of 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 meant signing herself up to be 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.
