Honor the Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinarian Technician in Your Animal's Life!

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For millions of Americans, animals are not just their best friends, but their heroes. Whether they are lending eyes to the unsighted, ears to the deaf, protection to the sleeping family and the soldier, or providing a welcoming kiss at the end of a hard day, animals affect us in so many different ways. And behind almost every hero pet (and millions more animals) is a hero veterinarian or hero veterinarian technician. These often little-known benefactors save and improve the lives of our two- and four-legged best friends in many ways, and now it is time to honor their achievements.

American Humane Association, the first national humane organization, recognizes the hard work these professionals put in day-in and day-out in the name of helping animals, and is pleased to announce that nominations will open on March 7 for the first-ever American Humane Association Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinarian Technician Awards™, presented by Zoetis Inc.  Pet owners and animal lovers alike are invited to visit www.herovetawards.org to nominate their favorite veterinary professionals who are dedicated to the betterment of the health and welfare of animals and the promotion of the human-animal bond. The winning veterinarian and vet tech will be flown to Los Angeles to be honored as part of the fourth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ on September 27. The awards will be nationally televised.

But these awards are not limited to companion animal veterinarians. Professionals from all fields of veterinary medicine are eligible for entry including, but not limited to those who work in: research, emergency services, shelters, and those who work with large and exotic animals. The five finalists in the American Hero Veterinarian and American Hero Veterinarian Technician categories will be selected by a special blue-ribbon panel of judges consisting of celebrities, veterinary professionals, and animal care professionals. Beginning June 13, the American public will be invited to vote online for their favorite veterinarian and vet tech.

"We are excited to partner with American Humane Association for the American Humane Association Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinarian Technician Awards™," said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, Group Director of CAD Veterinary Operations at Zoetis. "We are deeply appreciative of everything the veterinary community does to benefit pets, farm animals, working animals, and more; these awards are our way of giving back. We cannot wait to meet the winners who will be shining examples of the heroic work done every day by our Hero Vets and Hero Vet Techs."

"Whether it's the kindly veterinarian or veterinary technician who is always there when our furry, winged, or scaled friends are sick, or the researchers in the lab, tirelessly working to find a cure for hip dysplasia or feline leukemia, veterinarians positively affect our animal friends in so many ways," said Dr. Robin Ganzert, American Humane Association's President and CEO. "To us, all vets and vet techs are heroes and this is why we want to honor the best of the best in their field."

Nominations for this innovative contest will open on Friday, March 7 and will be taken until April 23. To nominate a veterinarian or veterinarian technician, and for complete contest rules, please visit www.herovetawards.org.

Public Voting for America's Hero Dogs Also Opens March 7

March 7 also marks the first day of public voting for the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™, the annual national tribute to heroes on both ends of the leash. Please visit www.herodogawards.org to begin submitting your daily vote for your favorite dog in each of eight categories. Once again, Zoetis has graciously agreed to be the online sponsor for the 2014 Hero Dog Awards.

NO PURCHASE OR DONATION IS REQUIRED AND PURCHASE OR DONATION WILL NOT INCREASE THE ODDS OF WINNING.  Entrants must be 18 or over and must reside in one of the 50 states of the United States or Washington DC.  Sponsored by American Humane Association, which can be contacted at 1400 16^th Street, NW, Suite 360, Washington DC 20036.  Void where prohibited.  Contest begins at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on March 7, 2014 and ends at 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on July 21, 2014.  Odds of winning a prize will be determined by the number of valid entries received during the nomination period (between 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on March 7, 2014 and 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on April 23, 2014), decisions of judges and public votes.  Official Rules are located at www.herovetawards.org  Entries may be made either online at www.herovetawards.org or by mail postmarked on or before April 23, 2014 and received by American Humane Association no later than April 31, 2014 (entry form for mailed entries may be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped #10 business envelope to: American Humane Association, 2014 Hero Veterinarian/ Veterinarian Technician Awards Contest Entry Form Request, 1400 16^th Street, NW, Suite 360, Washington, DC 20036).   Between May 1, 2014 and June 1, 2014, finalists in each of the two categories (five veterinarians and five veterinary technicians) will be selected by judges selected by American Humane Association on criteria set forth in the Official Rules. A winner in each of the two categories will be determined, from among the five finalists in each such category, by valid online public votes (for each voter, one vote per category per day) at www.herovetawards.org between 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on June 13, 2014 and 12:00 p.m. (noon) ET on July 21, 2014.  Each of the two (2) winners will receive travel and 2 nights lodging to participate in the 2014 American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™ event.  Total ARV of all prizes is $10,000.

About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on a 60-year history as the animal health business of Pfizer, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2012, the company generated annual revenues of $4.3 billion.  With approximately 9,300 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2013, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 29 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information on the company, visit www.zoetis.com.

Zoetis is the proud sponsor with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibitions and the American Veterinary Medical Association of the mobile educational exhibit Animal Connections: Our Journey Together.  Families visiting the exhibit will explore the vast bonds between people and animals and learn about the important role veterinarians play in protecting animal and human health.  For more information, visit https://www.zoetis.com/animal-connections-tour/.

About American Humane Association
American Humane Association is the country's first national humane organization and the only one dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Since 1877, American Humane Association has been at the forefront of virtually every major advance in protecting our most vulnerable from cruelty, abuse and neglect. Today we're also leading the way in understanding the human-animal bond and its role in therapy, medicine and society. American Humane Association reaches millions of people every day through groundbreaking research, education, training and services that span a wide network of organizations, agencies and businesses. You can help make a difference, too. Visit American Humane Association at www.americanhumane.org today.

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SOURCE American Humane Association