Dr. R. Michael Thomas

Dr. Roger Clarke

Dr. Larry Dee

Dr. Michael Paul

Dr. Dan Jordan

During its annual meeting in March, the American Animal Hospital Association honored five members for contributions to the association and companion animal medicine.

Dr. R. Michael Thomas (AUB '68) was recognized as the AAHA Practitioner of the Year for his commitment to AAHA, the profession, the community, and his clients and patients through overall excellence in small animal medicine and surgery. Dr. Thomas has been active within the association in a variety of capacities, including as its president, and has served on numerous task forces, committees, and project teams. Dr. Thomas is president-elect of the Companion Animal Parasite Council and a member of the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, Veterinary Information Network board of directors, Veterinary Management Group I.

Dr. Michael Paul (KSU '72) received the AAHA Award for his contributions toward the betterment of AAHA and the veterinary profession. A former AAHA president, Dr. Paul is currently executive director and CEO of the Companion Animal Parasite Council. He served on the AAHA task force that developed canine vaccine guidelines and was a founding member of the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues.

Dr. Roger Clarke (QLD '64) received the Hill's Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award for his efforts in advancing animal welfare through extraordinary service and furthering humane principles, education, and understanding. Dr. Clarke has had a distinguished career as a veterinarian, educator, international consultant, and leader in the profession. He established the Bundoora Veterinary Hospital in 1969, now one of only three emergency clinics in Melbourne, Australia. In addition, Dr. Clarke helped create the Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation, a major source of funding for dog and cat research in Australia. Dr. Clarke is a fellow in the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne.

Dr. Dan Jordan (TEX '81) received the Nestlé Purina Petcare Award for his efforts to positively influence the lives of animals and people. In addition to owning and operating a practice in Houston, Dr. Jordan is active in his community, as well as in several veterinary associations, including the Association of Avian Veterinarians and Texas VMA.

Dr. Larry Dee (AUB '69) received the Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Award for his contributions to improving the well-being of companion animals in the international veterinary community. Dr. Dee is an adjunct faculty member in the department of medical sciences at the University of Florida, and is co-owner and associate veterinarian at Hollywood Animal Hospital in Florida. Dr. Dee has served as president of AAHA, the Florida VMA, and World Small Animal Veterinary Association. Dr. Dee was also recently elected to the AVMA Executive Board.

The Hopkinsville-Christian County (Ky.) Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Skyline Animal Clinic as 2008 Agribusiness of the Year. The clinic's owners are Drs. Pat Dougherty (AUB '86), David Turner (AUB '86), David Kaetzel (AUB '97), and Nathaniel Chaudoin (TEN '00). The associate veterinarians are Drs. Annette Bell (AUB '94) and Lee Ann Mitchell (AUB '05). All six veterinarians are natives of Christian County.

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture honored three veterinarians with awards in April. Dr. Rick Sibbel (ISU '79) received a Meritorious Service Award. He is director of technical services, global ruminant, for Schering-Plough Animal Health. Dr. Jerome Geiger (IL '80) received the President's Award for service as an NIAA committee chairman. He is U.S. health assurance veterinarian for PIC North America. Dr. Rafael Seneriz (OSU '85) received the Chairman's Award for the NIAA volunteer of the year. Dr. Seneriz is a senior research scientist for Elanco Animal Health.

The VMA of New York City has recognized Dr. Robert W. Reisman (COR '80) as Veterinarian of the Year. Dr. Reisman is medical coordinator of animal cruelty cases at Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, a program of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He handles a caseload of about 300 animals each year. He was president of the VMA of NYC in 2007, and he has been veterinary editor of the association's newsletter since 2001.