Earlier this year Dr. Stan Henderson was presented with the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association’s Outstanding Veterinarian Award for exceptional contributions to the veterinary profession

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The award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in professional associations at regional, provincial or national levels, and has demonstrated community involvement that either enhances the image of veterinarians or benefits the profession as a whole.

“When you graduate from vet school nobody really has that as an underlying goal so in many respects it’s a pleasant surprise, but it's also a meaningful recognition of many hours and days of volunteerism,” said Henderson, a resident of Denfield, Ont.

Beginning his career in a mixed animal practice in Prince Edward Island, Henderson moved back to Ontario in 1984, where he joined the Ilderton Equine Clinic first as an associate and later as a partner.

“When you are admitted to vet school it’s a general program,” said Henderson. “It’s very common for veterinarians to change their career path within the first three years of graduating and I had quite an excessive equine background so I felt very comfortable moving back into strictly an equine profession.”

After only two years in the veterinary profession, Henderson began what would become over two decades of volunteer work. Appointed to the Society of Veterinarians of Ontario Board of Directors in 1985, he served as the very first President of the newly named Ontario Veterinary Medical Association in 1990. Furthering his volunteer involvement on the provincial level, he was appointed to CVO Council in 1991, and served a term as President in 1996.

“I try to encourage everyone to volunteer somewhere. I think at the end of the day it's very rewarding giving back to either your profession or your community and everybody’s very grateful for all the volunteer efforts that the volunteers put in.”

Henderson has been an influential figure in equine medicine throughout North America. In 1998, he spoke at the American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Conference, and in 2006 became the first equine practitioner to teach, mentor and provide internship opportunities to participants of the VStep Program – a provincial program aimed at assisting internationally-trained veterinarians to complete the educational and practical requirements necessary to become licensed to practice veterinary medicine in Ontario. Henderson has also volunteered for the Animal Health Technician Advisory Committee at the Ridgetown Campus of the University of Guelph.

Over the years Henderson says he’s had the privilege of working with some of harness racing’s top breeders and O’Brien Award winners including Seelster Farms.

“I was originally hired with Chris Van Bussell and I had worked a number of years with Chris and was delighted to see the ladies Ann Straatman, Karen Favacho and Tina Marie Howard take over that business. They’ve done an excellent job both managing their stallions as well as upgrading their broodmare band.

“Seelsters breed and foal out of most of Bob McIntosh’s mares so I have the privilege of working with very good mares and lots of farm to practice high quality medicine.”

“Stan Henderson has been with Seelster Farms since 1992,” said Straatman, Reproduction Manager of Seelster Farms. “During the foaling and breeding season, we usually talk everyday and Stan always makes himself available. It is not at all surprising to us and I'm sure, to his other clients, that Stan has been recognized with the Veterinarian of the Year Award. He is beyond dedicated to his craft, often working 24/7, skilled, meticulous and the voice of reason in every difficult situation. We are privileged to have Stan as part of our team.”

Dr. Cal and Angie Stiller of Stonebridge Farm have also been longtime employers of Henderson.

“I started with them about the same time I started at Seelsters and they’re very, very nice people to work for as well,” he said.

“Bob [Hamather] also has a nice band of broodmares and does an excellent job himself with Ellsie Blanchard, the farm manager.”

(With files from OVMA)