Dr. Justin Janssen was presented the 2022 Bud Newell Award by the Kansas Horse Council (KHC) during the EquiFest of Kansas in Salina.
Honoring KHC founder Bud Newell, the award recognizes an individual who “has gone above and beyond for the equine industry of Kansas.” KHC Board President Kallie Emig made the presentation.
Dr. Janssen grew up in central Kansas and graduated from Kansas State University with his Bachelors in 1970 and finished his doctorate of veterinary medicine in 1972.
He opened Janssen Veterinary Clinic in Sheridan, Indiana, in 1977 with his wife Mary Janssen. He sold his clinic and moved his family back to Kansas in 2007. Throughout his career, Dr. Janssen has remained involved in several national and regional equine organizations.
He’s been chairman of the Hoosier Horse Fair, the Indiana High School Rodeo Association, and the Indiana Veterinary Medical Association. Dr. Janssen been an active member and contributing leader of the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the American Quarter Horse Association to just name a few.
“I could list a great number of other organizations and committees in which Dr. Janssen has dedicated his time and years of wisdom to, but we are here today to recognize his efforts within our very own Kansas equine industry,” Emig said.
First and foremost, Dr. Janssen served six years on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Horse Council including two years as president.
“He served as chairman for EquiFest of Kansas for five years and under his direction guided the KHC to bring the entire planning and execution of the event in house, as well as, guided the move of EquiFest to Salina.
“The impact and the changes Dr. Janssen made to the KHC are still present as we continue to pursue the direction and goals he selflessly guided us towards for several years, including the Legendary Horseman,” Emig said.
In addition to his time with the KHC and EquiFest, Dr. Janssen has served on the Livestock and Meat Industry Council, or the LMIC, for the last 13 years and is currently serving as the Vice President.
The LMIC is a Kansas organization working primarily with Kansas State University in which they are dedicated to promoting the development and growth of all segments of the livestock industry.
Through the LMIC, Dr. Janssen is heavily involved with the production of hosting the Stockmen’s Dinner the night before Cattlemen’s Day as well the Family and Friends Reunion in the fall, both events promoting involvement with the Animal Science Department at K-State.
Most recently, Dr. Janssen has spearheaded the campaign to build a new multipurpose Equine Facility at K-State. Not only has he been a key part in formatting the building plans, Dr. Janssen has spent time enlisting significant donations for this project, as well as, presenting the campaign on behalf of the LMIC at the Annual Governor’s Ag Summit meeting hosted by the Kansas Department of Agriculture in 2022.
Among his heavy involvement with the KHC and the LMIC, Dr. Janssen also helped establish the Kansas Equine Practitioners Group, to share in continuing education within equine veterinary medicine.
In addition, he is a veterinary mentor for the Future Equine Veterinarians at Kansas State. “You may be thinking that Dr. Janssen must spend most of his time volunteering on these committees and working towards the betterment of the equine industry of Kansas…. and he does,” Emig said.
“But I will now convince you that in fact serving the equine industry of Kansas seems to be the only thing Dr. Janssen does.”
In his spare time, he would tell you that he works on his hobbies, but even his hobbies are targeted at serving, volunteering, and donating to the equine industry.
Dr. Janssen has designed and continues to fabricate multiple portable equine stocks for veterinary medicine practice and sells them to veterinarians locally and across the United States.
The KSU Veterinary Health Center Equine Field Service Team has benefited from Dr. Janssen’s portable stocks for several years as they’re individually made by Dr. Janssen in his shop right outside his home.
In addition, he uses his skills in metal work and woodwork by donating items every year to the Kansas Horse Council Foundation such as hat racks, jewelry racks, bridle hangers, and saddle stands.
He also has built the rocking horses, teeter totters, and other toys used in the Kiddie Korral and generously donates the use of them each year for EquiFest.
“I could keep going about all the great things Dr. Janssen does, but I believe it is already undisputed the amount of time, effort and ultimately the effect Dr. Janssen has had on the equine industry of Kansas and that it is quite substantial,” Emig said.
“Thank you, Dr., Janssen for your commitment to the betterment of the Kansas equine industry with the Kansas Horse Council, as recipient of the 2022 Bud Newell Outstanding Service Award.”