Accolades
AAHA
The American Animal Hospital Association honored a number of individuals and veterinary practices during its annual meeting, March 18-21 in Long Beach, Calif.
Dr. Christine Heinz (IL '06) received the Nestle Purina Petcare Award for her efforts to be a positive influence in the lives of animals and people. Dr. Heinz is an associate veterinarian at the Broad Ripple Animal Clinic in Indianapolis. She is an active member of AAHA, the AVMA, and the Central Indiana VMA along with the Broad Ripple Village Association. She also volunteers for the Humane Society of Indianapolis and her clinic's Vet for a Day program.
Kelvin Urday (MO '11) received the first Anna E. Worth AAHA Student Leadership Award partly for service as an AAHA Student Program officer. Urday helped revive the AAHA student chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He founded a lecture series for veterinary students and a Spanish course for veterinary professionals. He also is chair of tours for his veterinary college.
Teresa Jennings was the recipient of the Hill's Animal Welfare & Humane Ethics Award. She is program director of the Companion Animal Initiative of Tennessee at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. The goals of CAIT are to reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs in the state and promote humane education. Jennings also established a hotline that provides information on low-cost spay and neuter procedures.
Countryside Veterinary Hospital of Chelmsford, Mass., was the first winner of the AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year Award. The hospital has a mission of "providing exceptional customer service while offering the finest and most progressive veterinary care possible."
Bayview Animal Hospital of Ottawa, Ontario, took second place. Third went to Animal Medical and Surgical Center of Scottsdale, Ariz. Receiving honorable mentions were Blue Springs Animal Hospital & Pet Resort of Blue Springs, Mo.; Golden Triangle Animal Hospital of South Lake, Texas; Windsor Veterinary Clinic of Windsor, Colo.; Paradise Pet Hospital of Las Vegas; and Animal Medical Hospital of Charlotte, N.C.
AAHA also recognized the first three practices to attain 75 years of accreditation. They are River Bend Animal Clinic in Moline, Ill.; VCA Tennessee Avenue Animal Hospital in Cincinnati; and Broad Street Veterinary Hospital in Richmond, Va.