Fourth Line Animal Hospital was presented with the Pets Plus Us 2015 Veterinary Practice Champion Award on Friday for the kindness and compassion their team shows to owner’s and their pets, and for their commitment to helping local shelters care for rescue animals. The practice donated $1,000 of their prize to The Dog Rescuers Inc. and the remaining $500 to Ninth Life Cat Rescue.
The Dog Rescuers Inc. was also presented with the 2015 Shelter & Rescue Champion Award for their efforts in returning lost dogs to their homes, rescuing dogs from high kill shelters, and rehoming pets in need.
In attendance at the presentations were Randy Valpy and Teresa Vyse from Pets Plus Us, Dr. Dev from Fourth Line Animal Hospital, Joan from The Dog Rescuers Inc., and Julie from Ninth Life Cat Rescue.
Pets Plus Us, a pet insurance provider and online community, recognizes pets and owners across Canada through the Champion Awards. The award celebrates individuals who loyally treat, volunteer, rescue and care for pets in our community.
During the three-phase selection process, Canadians nominated their favourite champions of pet owner happiness in one of seven categories:
- Pet Owner: Alana Lapierre of Montreal, Quebec
- Volunteer: Jane Jorgensen of Wallace Bay,Nova Scotia
- Shelter & Rescue: The Dog Rescuers Inc. of Oakville, Ontario
- Community Outreach: Fixed Fur Life of Belleville/Quinte, Ontario
- Veterinary Practice: Fourth Line Animal Hospital of Oakville, Ontario
- Veterinarian or Veterinary Staff Member: Jenn Galvin of Grand River, Ontario
- Breeder: MistyTrails Havanese of Vancouver Island, British Columbia
“We received 256 nominations across all categories and over 50,000 votes, which is a huge increase from the first year of this program,” said Randy Valpy, Top Dog at Pets Plus Us. “We hope that the Champion Awards inspires new advocates to champion the happiness of pets and their owners in their own way.”
The program’s final phase enlisted a panel of judges to review the top 5 finalists in each category as voted on by the public, including:
- Jason B Coe DVM, PhD, Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College
- Valerie Pringle, Journalist and Volunteer
- Doug Raven, CEO, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association
- Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Professor and former Dean of the Ontario Veterinary College
- Randy Valpy, Top Dog at Pets Plus Us
- Connie Wilson, Publisher, Modern Dog and Modern Cat
The panel also selected the “Bestie” – the nominee that stood out most from all seven categories. To celebrate the eight recipients of the Champion Awards, Pets Plus Us will donate $1,500 to each winner’s charity of choice.
“We are proud to celebrate each champion who shows compassion and care for the pets in our community,” said Valpy. “It’s with the help of these inspiring individuals that Pets Plus Us can share the joy that pets bring to us every day.”
Post provided by:
Lindsay Elliott