Bustad award goes to practice consultant

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Dr. Thomas E. Catanzaro has promoted the importance of the human-animal bond as well as veterinary teamwork for decades as a practice consultant.

Dr. Thomas E. Catanzaro (Photo by R. Scott Nolen)

In recognition of his efforts to support the human-animal bond, Dr. Catanzaro received the 2012 Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Practitioner of the Year Award. The AVMA and Hill’s Pet Nutrition co-sponsor the Bustad award with Pet Partners, formerly the Delta Society, which seeks to improve human health through therapy and service animals.

After serving in the Army, Dr. Catanzaro earned a veterinary degree in 1974 from Colorado State University. In accepting his award, he spoke about becoming one of the charter members of the Delta Society more than 30 years ago. He wrote a book back then about his findings that pet owners had deeper feelings for their pets than many veterinarians perceived.

Dr. Catanzaro also has written many other publications that have contributed to a shift in the paradigm of practice management, moving team-based health care delivery to the forefront. He has pursued facility redesign as one way to support team-based health care delivery.

Currently, Dr. Catanzaro lives in Australia and serves as chief executive officer of Veterinary Consulting International. He is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.