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Kathleen Delaney Receives 2026 Harry C. Rowsell Lifetime Achievement Award
The Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) is pleased to present this year’s Harry C. Rowsell Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Kathleen Delaney, Director of the Department of Veterinary Services and Compliance at McMaster University, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the Canadian animal care and use community. During her 34 years of dedicated service, Dr. Delaney has worked tirelessly to promote the humane treatment of animals in research through institutional program development and national‑level contributions.
Dr. Delaney’s extensive volunteer work with the CCAC, including long-standing participation on assessment panels and contributions to guideline and policy development, along with her consulting support to institutions across Canada and internationally, reflect a deep and practical understanding of diverse animal use programs, animal welfare assessment, and oversight frameworks.
At McMaster University, she established the Animal Utilization Protocol training program and has mentored countless students and colleagues. Her active involvement in the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine and the Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science further demonstrates her commitment to building strong, ethical, and sustainable systems that support animal welfare, professional development, and continuous improvement.
As Dr. Delaney prepares for retirement, we celebrate her lasting impact not only on her institution and on animal welfare, but also on the CCAC. Notably, she plans to continue volunteering with the CCAC after retiring, which is a testament to her unwavering dedication to the CCAC’s mission and her passion for helping animal care and use programs across Canada uphold ethical standards in animal research.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Delaney on this well-deserved honour and in thanking her for her remarkable dedication and service.
About the Award
The Harry C. Rowsell Lifetime Achievement Award was named for the CCAC’s founding executive director, who devoted his life to promoting the optimal care and use of animals in Canadian science. This award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made a lifetime of exceptional contributions to the CCAC and who uphold the highest standards in the ethical care and use of animals in Canadian science.