A New York veterinarian and a New Jersey veterinary nurse who each dedicate countless hours to volunteer activities were the two-legged winners at the eighth annual Hero Dog Awards.
David Chico, VMD, MPH, who practices at Burnt Hills Veterinary Hospital in Albany, New York, was named the 2018 American Humane Hero Veterinarian during a ceremony Sept. 29 in Beverly Hills, California. The Hero Veterinary Nurse award went to Tammy Boland, who works at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. Chico created a free quarterly wellness clinic for the pets of low-income, HIV-positive people. He also serves overseas with Animals Lebanon, a Beirut group that provides care to abused and neglected animals.
Boland, according to award sponsor Zoetis Petcare, has saved hundreds of dogs over the last 11 years through her non-profit group Pick Your Paw Animal Rescue.
“Veterinary professionals are the unsung heroes keeping our beloved pets happy and healthy behind the scenes,” said J. Michael McFarland, DVM, DABVP, executive director of Zoetis Petcare Marketing. “Both Dr. Chico and Tammy have raised the bar with their tireless, inspiring service and compassionate care for animals.”
Zoetis Petcare also is the corporate sponsor of two Hero Dog categories: military dogs and law enforcement/arson dogs. Those awards went to Sgt. Fieldy, an 11-year-old black Labrador retriever who worked with the U.S. Marine Corps, and K-9 Flash, a 14-year-old German shepherd mix who served with the Yakima, Washington, Police Department.
The Hero Dogs ceremony will be rebroadcast Oct. 24 on The Hallmark Channel.