Craig Wilkinson, DVM

About

I received my BSc in Zoology from the University of Alberta (1986), and my DVM from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (University of Saskatchewan, 1990). I started my career as a veterinarian in Alberta and worked in rural mixed practice and then owned a companion animal practice in Edmonton for about 5 years. I then left full time private practice and took on the role of Shelter Manager and Veterinarian at the Edmonton Humane Society where I stayed for 5 years. In 2001 I joined the University of Alberta Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences (ALES) as the Director of Animal Care.

I have taught numerous undergraduate courses in Animal Science and Animal Health, and regularly guest lecture in other courses. I helped to develop the BSc in Animal Health program before it was launched in 2009 and served as the Program Committee Chair for several years thereafter.

In 2015 I was appointed University Veterinarian at the Research Ethics Office. My current responsibilities primarily entail oversight of the University's animal care and use program. I work with the Animal Care and Use Committees that review all research or teaching involving animals, and must approve it before any such work begins. I also work with the animal facility staff and veterinarians from several Faculties. Together we ensure that all such work is conducted in accordance with Canadian standards as set out in the guidelines and policies of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) as well as any applicable government legislation or regulations, professional and ethical codes of practice, and University policies.

Over the years I have served on committees and on the boards of several provincial and national organizations, and continued to work regular shifts in private companion animal practice until 2020.

In my spare time I enjoy the outdoors with my family including hiking, skiing and photography (Instagram: @craigwyeg). 

Research

My role is to facilitate and support research at the University of Alberta by overseeing the ethical use of animals in research (and teaching). I do not have my own research program and do not accept graduate students.

Teaching

Teaching areas have included broad areas of animal health, animal welfare, animal behaviour, zoonotic diseases, One Health, and the ethics of animal use in research.

Current courses:

Guest Lectures in:

AN SC 100: Introduction to Animal Health Science 

AN SC 376: Animal Welfare. Lecture on Pain, Disease and Animal Welfare.

AN SC 378: Companion Animal Behaviour. Lecture on Disease Behaviour.

AFNS 660: Communication in Science

CASES Surgical Foundations 

Past Teaching as Primary Instructor:

AN SC 100: Introduction to Animal Health Science. 2009 - 2023

AN SC 374: Animal Health and Welfare. 2002-2005.

AN SC 375: Animal Health (50% in 2007 and 2008)

AN SC 376: Animal Behaviour and Welfare. 2006-2009

AN SC 499: Animal Health Capstone. 2011-2016

AFNS 602: Graduate Reading Project (2014)

Past Teaching as Guest Lecturer:

AN SC 311: Metabolic Physiology of Domestic Animals (2005-1010)

AN SC 312: Reproductive Physiology (2005-2007)

AN SC 375: Animal Health (2009-2017)

AN SC 376: Animal Welfare (2010-2018)

AN SC 377: Livestock Behaviour (2010-2015)

AN SC 378: Companion Animal Behaviour (2010-2018)

AN SC 472: Applied Dairy Science (2004-2006)

AN SC 476: Applied Swine Science (2008-2010)

AN SC 400: Individual Study (various)

ZOOL 371: Behavioural Ecology. Lecture on animal research ethics. (2018-2019)

NUTR 400: Research Methods in Nutritional Science (2005-2007)

REN R 603: Graduate Research Skills (2004-2016)

BIOL 499: Research Project  (Fall 2008)

Guest Lectures for Credit Courses at other Institutions:

Veterinary Medicine 361: Animal Industries. University of Calgary (2010)

Biology 362: Psychology - Animal Behaviour (2004)

Teaching Awards and Recognition:

NACTA Teacher Fellow, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, June 2010.

University of Alberta President's Achievement Award - "Dare to Discover" Team Member. "Heifer in Your Tank Program" for AN SC 200 course, 2009.

Faculty of ALES Teacher of the Year, Teaching Wall of Fame. 2009/10, 2011/12, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17.