Helene Marie Van Doninck
Memorial Scholarship
"Helene was a lifelong learner and educator. She loved to teach and share her knowledge with anyone who was interested, and many times with those who weren't! Her easy going manner and teaching style engaged and encouraged her students to excel and follow their goals. This scholarship is a fitting way to honour her contribution to wildlife and wildlife education."
~ Murdo Messer
Dr. Helene Van Doninck was a veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator, and a passionate teacher. Helene loved sharing her knowledge of wildlife issues with others more than anything. Helene’s professional education career took her from a private college in St. John’s Newfoundland, to the Dalhousie Agricultural College in Truro, and finally to her alma mater: the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. But her teaching did not stop there.
Helene took the time to pass her knowledge on to every volunteer and summer student who joined the CWRC. She provided lectures to wildlife officials, as well as hunters and anglers, alerting them to the dangers that lead ammunition and tackle create for local wildlife. She would happily give presentations to wildlife groups, birding enthusiasts, and the public at large. Whenever a teaching moment arose, Helene would seize the opportunity. It was rare for someone to leave a conversation with Helene without having learned something new about wildlife.
In recognition of Helene’s many contributions to public education, the wildlife rehabilitation community has come together to create a scholarship fund in her name. Funds will be awarded to wildlife rehabilitators wanting to attend conferences and training seminars designed to further public outreach concerning animal welfare and conservation.
The Helene Van Doninck Scholarship is managed by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) on behalf of the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
To apply for the Helene Van Doninck Memorial Scholarship, click here.