At a Christmas function in 1982 Don Johansen (Canadian Champion Bull Rider and then CPRA Board Member) and Dexter Nelson (Head Athletic Therapist at University of Calgary) happened to meet. Don told Dexter about the Justin Healer program that had begun to provide care for Pro Rodeo Contestants in the United States. Don wondered why Canada could not have the same type of service. With Don’s encouragement and Dexter’s resolve the Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team was founded. The Canadian Pro Rodeo Association Board of Directors and management provided support and encouragement especially Ralph Murray (CPRA General Manager) and Keith Hyland (Rodeo Administrator). The CPRA also provided funding for sport medicine services at select Canadian Rodeos for the next season.
In 1983 Dexter,Terry Donhauser(acting Head Athletic Therapist at U of C) and Dr. George Kinnear (Exercise Physiologist at U of C) provided athletic therapy services at 4 Professional Rodeos – Cloverdale, BC, Ponoka, AB, the Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton.
In 1984, Dale Butterwick (athletic therapist) returned to Alberta to work at University of Calgary and joined the CPRSMT. The team worked the same rodeos that year.
From 1984 to roughly 1987, the Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Team was run out of the trunk of Dexter’s car and in some cases funded by the caregivers themselves. Early Sponsors were Ranchman’s and Vereburn Medical Supplies who provided a Dodge travel van for transportation. In 1989 Wrangler provided a Dodge Diesel Dually and a fifth wheel holiday trailer which provided both a treatment area and living quarters. The team covered more rodeos and the number of caregivers grew including massage therapists and chiropractors.
Dexter Nelson was the president of the CPRSMT until 1990 when Dale Butterwick took over the leadership and the team continued to grow. Dexter Nelson continued to work as a service provider and Board member until he retired in 2009. He is still involved in rodeo as a board member for the J.Pat Evans Foundation .
In 1999 the team was incorporatedasa not-for-profit organization under the Alberta Societies Act with the corporate name “Canadian Pro Rodeo Sport Medicine Society.” The solicitor for the CPRA, Dale Spackman, performed this service, joined the Board and has served as a director ever since. The CPRA and its members continue to provide significant support to the Team both financially and in governance of the society with representation on the Board.
The Team’s current president, Mark Lafave, took on the role in 2007. Dale Butterwick continued as a caregiver until 2011 when he retired from the team. He is still active in the rodeo community doing research at the University of Calgary in the area of Rodeo Injury Prevention.