Bayer Animal Health Recognizes Outstanding Veterinarian with Legend of the Year Award

SHAWNEE, Kan., Nov. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division, announced today the winner of the second annual Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award, Dr. Tanja Molby. The Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award recognizes veterinary professionals who provide equitarian aid or exceptional care for horses in need. The award – a $5,000 donation in Dr. Molby's name – will go to the Michigan Equine Foundation located in Traverse City, Mich. This award was presented to Dr. Molby at the 57th Annual Convention of the American Association for Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in San Antonio, Texas.

Every year, an estimated 170,000 horses in the United States are subject to improper care, abuse or neglect.[1] Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health Division asked horse owners and colleagues to nominate veterinary professionals whose commitment to equine care has been exceptional for the Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award. More than 500 nominations were received from August 1, 2011 through October 15, 2011, many of them detailing how vet professionals have responded to the problem of horse abandonment.

"The Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award was created to honor veterinary professionals that go above and beyond the call of duty, making selfless and heroic contributions to better equine health," said Scott King DVM, equine product manager at Bayer HealthCare's Animal Health Division, who presented the award during the keynote speech at the meeting. "This award is part of Bayer's commitment to developing and providing animal health solutions, which veterinarians like Dr. Tanja Molby are using in their daily care of horses."

Dr. Molby selected Michigan Equine Foundation to receive the $5,000 donation to support its mission to promote equine health and wellness through education, awareness and collaboration, and to provide services for equines in need.

"It is such an honor to receive the Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award," said Dr. Molby, who was recognized for her efforts in helping create the Michigan Equine Foundation, which assists horses and their owners with veterinary care and hay when facing economic hardship. "It is very meaningful that this is in recognition of something that is such a large part of my life."

The company also recognized the following four finalists for their exemplary contributions to improving equine health:

• Scott W. Hansen, Gresham, Ore.
• Dr. Vivian (Bibi) Freer, Tyron, N.C.
• Eric Davis, Davis, Calif.
• Dave Turoff, Placerville, Calif.

In addition to the veterinary winners, horse owners that nominated their veterinarians for the award were automatically entered into a sweepstakes for an equine adventure of a lifetime. The winning horse owner will ride alongside host Darley Newman as "Equitrekking", the equine-focused travel show, explores Mackinac Island, Mich. for a future episode of the show. The winner of the sweepstakes was equestrian Lori Odishoo of Berlin, Conn.

As part of Bayer Animal Health's longstanding commitment to equine health and wellness, it is also a proud sponsor of the American Horse Council and its support of the Unwanted Horse Coalition. The main goal of the Coalition is to reduce the number of unwanted horses and to improve their welfare through education, and the efforts of organizations committed to the health, safety, and responsible care and disposition of these horses.

For more information on the Bayer Animal Health Legend of the Year Award, visit: www.MyLegendaryVet.com.

For more information about Bayer Animal Health and equine treatments, visit: www.bayerequineconnection.com.

For more information about the Michigan Equine Foundation, visit: www.michiganequinefoundation.org.

About Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subgroup of Bayer AG with annual sales of EUR 16.913 billion (2010), is one of the world's leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions.  Bayer HealthCare's aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide.

With sales of EUR 1,120 million (2010), Bayer's Animal Health division is one of the world's leading manufacturers of veterinary drugs. The business manufactures and markets approximately 100 different veterinary drugs and care products for food-supplying animals and companion animals. U.S. Headquarters for Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division is located in Shawnee, Kansas.  Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer's public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

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1.  Unwanted Horse Coalition. 2009 Unwanted Horse Survey. Available at http://www.unwantedhorsecoalition.org/resources/UHC_Survey_07Jul09b.pdf

SOURCE Bayer HealthCare LLC