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Morris Animal Foundation honors Betty White for improving animal health.

Texas Veterinarian Honored as “Best Vet” in America; Four Regional Winners Also Named

Dr. Kirk Weicht Wins Third Annual Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet Contest®, Sponsored by Morris Animal Foundation, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. and BowTie Inc.

According to Gina DeGennaro of Arlington, Texas, Dr. Kirk Weicht of Brown Trail Animal Hospital is truly the heartbeat of his clinic because he goes above and beyond for his clients and his community. Thanks to these kind words, submitted in an essay to the third annual Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet® contest, Weicht was chosen as the 2009 grand-prize National winner. The nationwide essay contest, conducted by Morris Animal Foundation, allows clients to honor outstanding veterinarians for their dedication to helping animals and strengthening the human-animal bond. A complete list of winners and nominees is posted at www.ThankYourVet.org.

Hundreds of pet owners throughout the country submitted nominations. The contest is co-sponsored by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy and Veterinary Practice News magazines, published by BowTie, Inc. Weicht is featured in the January issues of Dog Fancy and Cat Fancy and the February issue of Veterinary Practice News magazines.

Of the award, Weicht said, “I am rewarded every day just being able to serve as a veterinarian. When I am able to make a difference or impact a client, it is especially enjoyable. For someone to take the time to express this in writing is thoughtful, and I feel extremely honored.”

Weicht, who works at Brown Trail Animal Hospital in Bedford, Texas, was also named the Southwest regional winner. Four additional regional winners were named:

• Amara Estrada, DVM, of the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla., for the Southeast
• Patrick Hourigan, DVM, of Richmond Veterinary Clinic in Richmond, Ill., for the Midwest
• J. Robert Yack, DVM, of Jackson Creek Veterinary Clinic in Jackson, Calif., for the West
• Kristin Quisenberry, DVM, of Hidden Valley Animal Clinic in McMurray, Pa., for the Northeast

“Morris Animal Foundation is excited to honor these outstanding veterinarians because they help us provide a healthier tomorrow for animals,” said Patricia N. Olson, DVM, PhD, president/CEO of Morris Animal Foundation.

All of the winners were honored in front of their peers at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Fla., on January 16, 2010.

Dr. John Harvey Honored with the 2010 Mark L. Morris, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award

TOPEKA, Kan. (Jan. 16, 2010) - Because of his outstanding contributions to veterinary medicine, Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc. has announced John W. Harvey, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor and Executive Associate Dean and award-winning professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, has received the prestigious 2010 Mark L. Morris, Sr. Lifetime Achievement Award. This distinguished award is presented annually at the Opening Ceremony of the North American Veterinary Conference to a veterinarian who has made significant contributions to the welfare of companion animals through a lifetime of professional work. Dr. Harvey received the award for his lifelong work in clinical pathology and physiology with his expertise in hematology.

“This year we had many outstanding nominees for this prestigious award. Dr. Harvey is a highly dedicated and world renowned educator, and his accomplishments make him very deserving of this Lifetime Achievement Award”, said Daniel Aja, D.V.M., Director of Professional Affairs at Hill’s.

Dr. Harvey has many scholastic accomplishments which include 113 refereed papers in both veterinary and human medicine journals (many describing syndromes not previously recognized), three books, 46 book chapters, 56 proceedings papers, 65 abstracts and 31 research grants. He is an accomplished lecturer both nationally and internationally with more than 250 major seminar engagements throughout the world.

A member of numerous veterinary associations, Dr. Harvey has served in many leadership roles, including President and Board Member of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology and President and Treasurer of the International Society for Animal Clinical Pathology. Dr. Harvey is board certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (Clinical Pathology) and has served as a member of their examination committee. His other memberships include the American Veterinary Medical Association, Florida Veterinary Medical Association and the American Society of Hematology.
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MAF staff attended the AKC-Eukanuba National Championship. A special thanks to trustees Betty White and Cheryl Wagner for helping with various promotional events. This was a great show, and the MAF booth was busy with pet owners, media (including Animal Planet, which filmed a segment with Brewster, world’s tallest puppy) and celebrities. Rosebud and Budderball, from the movie Santa Buddies, drew a crowd. Disney has generously run an MAF ad in the DVD insert, and we look forward to expanding that partnership. Brewster-weighing in at 165 pounds at just 15 months-and his owner Sandy Hall were a big attraction. Sandy lost Brewster’s uncle, Gibson (the former world’s tallest dog), to cancer earlier this year and wants to help MAF promote the Canine Cancer Campaign. Betty accepted a $150,000 from Orvis and Eukanuba; this is money raised so far through the Orvis photo contest partnership. She also talked with Olympic champion Shawn Johnson at the MAF booth.