VMATs receive recognition, donation

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The AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams recently received recognition from one company and a donation from another.

Henry Schein Inc., a distributor of health care products, invited Dr. Sheldon Z. Yessenow of VMAT-1 and representatives of other partner organizations to attend the opening bell at the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in celebration of the 10th anniversary of public trading of the company's shares.

Dr. Yessenow worked with the company after Hurricane Katrina to locate and allocate supplies for the VMATs tending animals in Louisiana. Stanley M. Bergman, chief executive officer of Henry Schein, said his company has made a commitment to social responsibility—including disaster response and relief.

Schering-Plough Animal Health Corp., a pharmaceutical manufacturer, donated $50,000 in honor of its 50th anniversary to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to support the VMATs. Dr. Robert P. Gordon, immediate past chair of the AVMF, accepted the donation during the anniversary celebration.

Raul Kohan, president of Schering-Plough Animal Health, said sharing the celebration with the Foundation was appropriate because his company has made a commitment to provide products that support its veterinary medical partners in improving animals' lives.

More information about the VMATs, including a photo gallery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is available at vmat.org. More information about the AVMF, including details about how to donate, is available at www.avmf.org.