Veterinary Professionals Recognized for Contributions to Animal Welfare

April 22, 2013

The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual achievement awards for 2012. The Humane Veterinary Achievement awards recognize veterinary professionals who embody the mission of HSVMA to protect and advocate for the welfare of animals.

"The HSVMA is proud to honor these doctors for their contributions and dedication to animal welfare," said Dr. Paula Kislak, HSVMA board president. "We salute the efforts of these worthy award winners and are proud to have such impassioned veterinary advocates and caregivers amongst our membership."

HSVMA Veterinary Advocate of the Year

Dr. Jennifer Conrad of Santa Monica, Calif., has been recognized for her work to educate the public and legislators about the inhumane practice of declawing felines. In addition to her advocacy on the cat declawing issue, Dr. Conrad has more than two decades of experience caring for wildlife on six continents.

HSVMA Veterinary Practitioner of the Year

Dr. David Turoff of Placerville, Calif. received this award for his numerous contributions and continued dedication to improving the lives of equids through direct care and teaching in his home community as well as in remote and impoverished areas of Central and South America. Since 2001, Dr. Turoff has led or participated in more than 30 HSVMA-Rural Area Veterinary Services equine field clinics.

HSVMA Veterinary Student Advocacy Award

Dr. Chumkee Aziz, a 2012 graduate of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Her accomplishments include coordinating equine willed body donations and the World Rabies Day Conference at Tufts while also heading the HSVMA student chapter there.

HSVMA Veterinary Student Direct Care Award

Dr. Heidi McDevitt of Syracuse, N.Y., a 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. While in veterinary school she created the Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services, a non-profit student group that holds clinics to provide services such as surgery, vaccinations, deworming, and husbandry education on Native American reservations in Minnesota.

More detail about the 2012 award recipients can be found in the HSVMA 2012 Year in Review. Information about previous recipients is available on the HSVMA website.

Media Contact: Niki Ianni, 301-548-7793, [email protected]