Nationwide essay contest honors veterinarians for dedication to improving animal health and well-being.
DENVER — PRNewswire/ -- If you think your veterinarian is the best in America, nominate him or her for the second annual Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet(SM) Contest. The national short-essay contest honors America's veterinarians for their dedication to helping animals and strengthening the bond we have with our pets. The contest is conducted by Morris Animal Foundation and sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition, and DOG FANCY, CAT FANCY and Veterinary Practice News magazines, published by BowTie, Inc.
The contest runs from June 1 to Aug. 31. Essays can be no longer than 300 words and should address four areas:
1) the veterinarian's outstanding care and treatment to clients, 2)
commitment to the human-animal bond, 3) service to the community, and 4) devotion to the veterinary profession. For rules and to enter online, go to
http://www.ThankYourVet.org after June 1.
Entries can also be mailed to Morris Animal Foundation, Thank Your Vet Contest, 10200 E. Girard Ave., Ste. B430, Denver, CO 80231. Entries must be submitted electronically or postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT, August 31, 2008. Entries must follow the official contest rules to be considered. To receive a printed copy of the rules, call (800) 243-2345.
"Last year's contest was a huge success with more than 1,000
nominations submitted. We are delighted that Hill's Pet Nutrition has
joined us this year as the official corporate sponsor," says Patricia N.
Olson, DVM, Ph.D., president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation.
The partnership between MAF and Hill's dates back to the 1940s when Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr. developed a special diet that halted kidney disease in dogs. The diet became so popular that Dr. Morris couldn't meet demand, so he teamed with Burton Hill, owner of the Hill Packing Company, to produce the innovative dog food. This agreement inspired what is today the line of Prescription Diet(R) pet foods, manufactured by Hill's Pet Nutrition and available exclusively through veterinarians. Dr. Morris used the royalties from that agreement to establish Morris Animal Foundation.
"We are very proud to support this initiative that helps us express
just how grateful we are to have so many great veterinarians across the country," Janet Donlin, Hill's chief veterinarian, said. "The number of nominations and the stories submitted along with them are extremely moving and remind us, the veterinarians, why we chose this rewarding career in the first place."
One national winner and five regional winners will be selected by a
panel of judges. Winners will be contacted by November 1, and will be honored before their peers at the February 2009 Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. Winners will be featured in the March 2009 issues of Veterinary Practice News, DOG FANCY and CAT FANCY magazines. All nominees will receive a nomination certificate.
About Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation, established in 1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries, spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver. The Foundation has funded nearly 1,400 humane animal health studies. One hundred percent of annual donations go to fund health study programs. For more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
SOURCE Morris Animal Foundation
Posted by Serenah McKay, Best Friends Network volunteer