Vet Candy congratulates winners of first ever Veterinary Inspiration Awards

Put your hands (and paws) together for the veterinary professionals who are making the world a better place for pets – and people, too!  

As a leader in veterinary medicine, Vet Candy knows that our community is what makes us great. Every single day, thousands of dedicated professionals are hard at work caring for furry, feathered, and finned patients as well as their colleagues. Not to mention, mentoring and educating the next generation of vet med students.

That is why today, Vet Candy is excited to officially announce the 2022 Veterinary Inspiration Awards!

Intended to honor veterinary professionals who are doing amazing things for the profession, this prestigious award is unique.  

Unlike other prizes, to be a winner of the Vet Candy Inspiration Award is about more than outward success; it requires the ability to lead, inspire, and motivate. After all, the world inspiration is in the very title! Equity, diversity, and inclusion are also core values of the award. For this reason, Vet Candy was committed to celebrating those who are making an impact in our local, national, and global communities. From working hands-on with pets at clinics to animal advocacy, client education, volunteering, and fulfilling leadership roles in governing bodies, these folks are trailblazers and gamechangers.   

Who are this year’s recipients?

Nomination was based on merit. Vet Candy scoured the globe for the best of the best. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’t difficult to find our champions! Over 30 people were selected. From a long list of names, this group of individuals stood out for their tireless dedication towards improving the veterinary world.

Congratulations to all thirty-four Vet Candy Inspiration Awards recipients below:

Veterinary Winners

Dr. Michelle Moyal, New York

Dr. Michelle Moyal has been helping pets since she became a veterinarian in 2007, but now she is helping pets and their owners in a new way—through guiding the hands of the next generation
Dr. Moyal is now an assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, as well as the Chief of the Primary Care Surgery Service at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Moyal, like so many other vets, is working to help tame this unfriendly dynamic by coaching new vet students on all the important things in medicine—including how to take a break. Her goal is to help shape a new and better veterinary community. One filled with diversity, openness to change, and inclusivity

Dr. Zonram Liao, California

They say it takes a village to raise a child, and to an extent that’s true. But what does it take to raise a veterinarian?  There are the essentials, of course! A deep love of animals. Access to high-quality education. Hard work. Persistence in the face of failure. Plus, a support network of family and friends who believe in your dreams.

For Dr. Zonram Liao, there was one other key factor that influenced his choice to become a veterinarian…his community. Now, as the CEO and Co-Founder of Wellnergy Pets, Dr. Zonram (or “Dr. Z” as his patients like to call him!) is giving back to that very same Southern California community that helped raise him as a youngster all those years ago.

Dr. Tomas Infernuso, New York

For some veterinarians, career choice is something they had to agonize over.
For veterinary surgeon, Dr. Tomas Infernuso, the career he wanted was something he was born knowing. 

Even as a very small child growing up in Naples, Italy, Dr. Tomas spent his days rescuing frogs and insects, and eventually grew into helping stray animals find help and volunteering in a shelter.

With this determination to make sure every pet had the right to live, Dr. Tomas began looking for a way for that to happen. He started searching for ways to make sure every dog could afford surgery. He worked in a mobile clinic for ten years before he was able to start the Animal Surgical Center or ASC. At the ASC, surgeries are reduced to be affordable as possible, without compromising care. 

Dr. Jean-Yin Tan, Alberta, Canada

As an equine internal medicine specialist and instructor at University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Jean-Yin Tan works about as closely as is humanly possible with horses – literally healing them from the inside out. From medical issues related to the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and nervous system to muscles and organs, this Cornell University graduate is committed to improving the health of horses everywhere. At the University of Calgary, she also created an innovative clinical partnerships with local Indigenous communities

Dr. Sandra Faeh Butler, Illinois

Brilliant, hardworking, and never one to turn away from a challenge, this University of Illinois graduate has been involved with organized veterinary medicine for more than 20 years.
From making her first dollar as a receptionist at a veterinary hospital to being part owner of four animal clinics and later holding the position of 2020-22 AVMA vice president, Sandra has always gone above and beyond.

Now, she in on the heels of an exciting new venture… Running for president of the AVMA!

Dr. Shannon Gregoire, Massachusetts

What do leadership, being an entrepreneur, and veterinary medicine have in common
Dr. Shannon Gregoire, of course!  She is the perfect combination of all three. Originally from Massachusetts, Shannon has leveled up her veterinarian game time and time again over the years. 

And in addition to her work as the Editor for Pet Candy Magazine, Shannon also isn’t shy about getting on the air. She is the host of a podcast called Vet Candy IRL. Each episode is filled with the best leaders in the veterinary field who are making huge impacts with their careers.  She also has a Pet Candy TV show called Simply Pets where she simplifies complicated pet care issues for pet owners.

 

Dr. Debbye Turner Bell, Michigan

Dr. Debbye Turner Bell was the winner of Miss America in 1990. Originally born in Hawaii, this communications megastar attended Arkansas State University where she received her B.S. degree in agriculture. Later, the University of Missouri-Columbia became home as she pursued her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. She spent most of her career in front of the camera, first hosting a talk show in St. Louis and later as a CBS news correspondent.

Much of her current work focuses on helping women leaders. Alongside being a wife and mother, she is busy doing leadership development, motivational and Christian speaking, and television broadcasting.

Dr. Evan Antin, California

Dr. Evan Antin is one of the few vets that may actually be familiar to most of the population
He has more than a million followers on social media, where he shares his work with animals ranging from baby rhinoceros to tiny puppies, and is PEOPLE magazine’s Pet Vet.

He also has an Animal Planet show where people can watch him treat a large range of exotic animals, including his efforts in conservation. His work can take him all over the world, though he works at the Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital in Southern California when he’s home. His works closely with groups like Rhino911, helping to save rhinoceroses from poachers.

Dr. Courtney Campbell, California

Success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes months (often years) for a person to grow from an animal loving kid into the professional and thriving veterinarian they were always meant to be.

But nobody gets a behind the scenes look at this process. We don’t see the hours of study, the heartbreak of a rejection letter, or the joy of finding out you were accepted into the program of your dreams. We don’t talk nearly enough about issues facing veterinary medicine today – such as the need for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In fact, we tend to ignore the backstory and challenges, and instead only focus on the “good.”

However, every so often a kind-hearted and sincere person comes along who is willing to share their story of getting from point A to point B in this highly competitive veterinary world of ours, plus offer insights into critical issues like DEI. 

That person is none other than the amazing Dr. Courtney Campbell. He’s a pet talk host, speaker, and prominent figure in the veterinary media landscape.

Jessica Hirsch, Massachusetts

Did you know:
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, there are 61 million adults currently living with a disability in the United States. Tufts veterinary student, Jessica Hirsch is one of them.

She shares, “My story started in 2014, my freshman year of undergrad, when I sustained my fourth concussion. Ever since, I have suffered from syncopal episodes, dizziness, nausea, migraines, GI issues, joint and muscle pain, pelvic pain, edema, fatigue, brain fog and concentration issues, plus much more.” 

Determined to finish veterinary school, Jessica juggled nurse visits, physical therapy, MRI scans, and wearing a neck brace, all while attending classes and working at the vet school as a tech.  Now she is an advocate for disabilities and invisible illnesses.

Dr. Adria Flowers, Texas

Dr. Adria Flowers is on a mission: to make the world a better place for all creatures.

With here dual degree of DVM and a Master’s in Public Health, she is working hard to bring the One Health Initiative into her daily practice, improve the lives of pets through veterinary relief services in her Houston, Texas community, and dismantle diversity barriers in our field, one interaction at a time.

Caitlin Palmer, Mississippi

Caitlin Palmer is not your average veterinary receptionist. She’s also a Tik-Tok star and comedian with her alter ego, the Desk Wench, bringing much needed comedic relief to veterinary medicine while also working hard to help animals.

Her hilarious videos will make anyone in the pet industry laugh and nod, and may just make a few customers think about how they treat people on the other end of the line.

If you work in the veterinary field and you want a good laugh, you can follow Caitlin @deskwench on TikTok for great laughs you’ll understand because you’ve probably experienced that exact same scenario

You can also satisfy your hunger for comedy by subscribing to Catilin’s new podcast, Obsessed with the Palmers on Pet Candy Radio- where she and her husband, Clay, talk about urban legends and animal myths.

Dr. Matt McGlasson , Kentucky

Dr. Matt McGlasson joined Noah’s Ark Animal Clinics and became the CMO of their Fort Wright clinic. There he chose to make the human-animal connection his number one focus. Rather than overwhelm owners with different treatment options, he thinks it’s best to picture the owner as your own mom, and offer treatments with that same understanding

Today, Dr. Matt is happy in his career and working towards making the vet industry better in a variety of different ways. He is active on social media and enjoys sharing his tips, tricks, and vision of the industry - strangely enough, most of his social media posts features kittens. 

Dr. Craig Clifford, Pennsylvania

It was during his own residency that Dr. Craig Clifford was given two valuable pieces of advice. The first being, “Keep your eyes on the prize.” And the second, “Don’t get too high with highs or too low with lows.”

This advice has served him well. Since graduating, he has gone on to be on the Veterinary Cancer Society executive board, ACVIM Exam Rating Committee, Residency Training and Credentials Committee, Oncology Pathology Working Group, Co-chair of the Standards of Excellence in Residency Education Task Force and Examiner for the Australian Scientist’s Oncology Specialty Exam, and more!  Not only that, but Dr. Craig is also a sought-after lecturer who speaks all over the world!  Our favorite lectures of course are those that Dr. Craig created for Vet Candy!  Check them out for free at myvetcandy.com/ce-on-demand.

Dr. Amanda Steffen, Ohio

Dr. Amanda Steffen has a very special (some might even say unique) interest…senior pets and aging care.

When it comes to older pets, Dr. Steffen loves educating owners about aging changes and how we can help our pets transition into seniors with grace, comfort, and happiness. Building upon her background in emergency medicine, general practice, and non-profit veterinary medicine, tackling older pet issues was the perfect next step

Dr. Luke Gamble, International

Dr. Luke created Mission Rabies to eradicate rabies from the planet, one vaccinated animal at a time throughout Asia and Africa. They have vaccinated millions of animals and are hoping to end rabies deaths for all by 2030. The Charity vaccinates dogs because 99% of all human rabies cases are caused by an infected dog bite.

The Campaign aims to raise awareness for their life-saving programs in countries including; India, Malawi, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Cambodia, where projects have already vaccinated over 1.3m dogs since they began in 2013. 

Because there is already an effective vaccine, Mission Rabies has a positive message of hope; that this can be the Final Rabies Generation.

Critter Fixers, Georgia

Dr. Vernard Hodges or Dr. Terrence Ferguson, more well known as the “critter fixers.”

Together, the pair owns and operates Critter Fixer Veterinary Hospitals, located 100 miles south of Atlanta, Georgia. Between emergency visits to the office and farm calls throughout rural Georgia, the Critter Fixers are constantly bombarded with unique cases you only see in the country – like treating a turtle with a Vitamin A deficiency, rushing to save a fox's leg, and helping baby goats in distress.  Working side by side, they bravely go wherever the critters need fixing!

Now, the Tuskegee University veterinary graduates are National Geographic and Disney+ stars sharing their inspiring message and passion for animal care with the world.

The ladies of Vetique, Chicago, Illinois

Pets deserve to be pampered. Afterall, our animal companions shower us with love their whole lives. In return, it’s our job as “hooman” caregivers to ensure they receive only the finest things in life…like healthy food, fun toys, routine checkups, etc.

With state-of-the-art facilities and progressive medical technology, these two veterinarians are exceeding conventional patient care standards in just about every way possible. 

Vetique is not your ordinary veterinary clinic. Vetique staff use a stress free nose-to-tail approach and will facilitate convenient in-home visits with you and your pet. Vetique’s goal is to provide services in a relaxed atmosphere.

Together, Dr. Jessica Trice and Dr. Jennifer Remnes practice high-quality and collaborative traditional Eastern, Western, and integrative veterinary medicine. This includes acupuncture and chiropractic manipulation, as well as routine and advanced surgery. Vetique’s future will incorporate a one-health-one-medicine concept, offering pet parents human medical grade wellness services, such as Botox and dermal fillers, vitamin injections, IV hydration therapy, etc. 

Dr. Niccole Bruno, Texas

Dr. Niccole wears many hats. Mom. Wife. Veterinarian. CEO. Additionally, she is the proud founder of  BLEND. So, what is BLEND exactly.

Let’s break it down. BLEND stands for build, lead, educate, navigate, and diversify. 

In her own words, Dr. Nicole elaborates, “BLEND is a veterinary hospital certification program that is getting back to the heart of veterinary medicine. Its people. It is an opportunity to combine diversity, equity and inclusion training with wellness to help veterinary teams understand their own journey, learn together, honor their differences and create an environment of belonging.” 

Dr. DJ Haeussler, Ohio

This Ohio native and board certified veterinary ophthalmologist has veterinary medicine in his blood, literally.  His father, Dr. David Haeussler was a small animal veterinarian in Cincinnati.  One of the things he enjoyed most as a child was listening to stories about his father’s work life.  It is no surprise that Dr. DJ followed in his father’s footsteps by attending Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Now he’s making the world a better place, one new veterinary ophthalmology resident at a time with his ophthalmology residency program. 

Dr. Carlos Valerio-Lopez, Washington

Furious winds sheared trees and rooftops. Cyclonic gales blasted torrential rain through the mountains. A deluge powered destructive floods and landslides. It was 2016 and Hurricane Otto had landed in Costa Rica. Encompassed by this catastrophic pandemonium, Dr. Carlos Valerio-López rescued his country’s animals.

This experience was one of many that led Valerio to WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he is a resident in neurology and neurosurgery at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. 

Dr. Anna Katogriitis, International

Her list of accomplishments is impressive. Originally from Greece, she holds a degree in molecular biology and graduated from the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Currently, Dr. Anna provides services as a relief emergency veterinarian throughout the United States, covering vacations and maternity leaves.

She is committed to helping vulnerable wildlife and works diligently to envision a world where animals are treated better on a global scale, and where the environment is not in crisis. From cats and dogs to horses, macaques, and even chimpanzees, there is no creature too “wild” for Dr. Anna!

Tina Hansen, International

Tina Hansen is one of the hardest working veterinary students out there. Her drive started early in life and came to a head when she spent a year in the military. She was given a choice between becoming a medic, which she had a passion for—and working with military dogs, another passion.

She chose to work with the dogs, but it sparked an idea inside her—if she could combine her passions for the medical field and the animal field, she would have the best career in the world. A new vet student was born.  Now she balances veterinary school responsibilities with missions around the planet helping animals in need. 

Dr. Aziza Glass, Houston, Texas

Dr. Aziza Glass, the founder of Personal Touch Veterinary, a mobile practice in HOUSTON, TEXAS. Her clinic incorporates eastern medicine, like acupuncture and Chinese herbal formulas, with traditional western medicine.

If she looks familiar to you, that is because she is also a reality star! She was on a Nat Geo Wild show during vet school at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and now she's on a new show on Disney Roman to the Rescue. It’s a rare thing to find your calling in life, but Dr. Aziza Glass has done it.

Dr. Joya Griffin, Kentucky

Dr. Joya has the distinction of being in a profession where there are only about 300 veterinary dermatologists in the United States. She wanted not only to make pets look beautiful again but to restore the human-animal bond by giving pets a renewed quality of life.

Today, Dr. Griffin stars in the Net Geo WILD television series, “Pop Goes the Vet with Dr. Joya,” which highlights the challenging and mysterious cases she encounters in veterinary dermatology.

Dr. Jessica Turner, Louisiana

Indeed, there is a severe lack of care for emotional and mental health in the veterinary profession. We don’t always have it all together. Sometimes, we need help🙌

Luckily, that’s where coaches like Dr. Jessica Turner come in. After leaving veterinary medicine to follow her heart, she discovered how health and fitness can play an important role in healing. The better she got, the more she yearned to help others too. Specifically, moms and other veterinarians.

Her inspirational podcast titled “Living Well with Dr. Jessica” is available on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and other podcast platforms. The show features #fun, delightful, and relatable conversations centered around healthy living with the world’s most exciting experts.So much so, that she just received a People's Choice Podcast of the Year Nomination for the second year in a row

Dr. Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva, Florida

Honesty and kindness. Those are the two qualities Dr. Tiffany Ruiz Dasilva admires most in humans. But for this adventurer turned veterinarian, it is animals that take up the most room in her heart. From diving with sharks to living in Africa alongside wildlife, Tiffany knew early on that she would “never be happy if my career didn’t center around animals.”

It’s why she became a canine plant-based nutrition expert in the first place!   Indeed, for this animal welfare advocate and graduate of Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, nothing beats helping animals live healthier lives. The best way to accomplish this? According to Dr. Ruiz Dasilva, through a combination of nutrition and education!

Lucy Taylor, International

Lucy Taylor made a bold move after veterinary nurse school, and became a traveling locum nurse. She has since been to Spain, Sardinia, and Morocco for her work. While she is in these locations, she often volunteers with organizations such as Vets Beyond Borders, so she can help make a difference in the lives of animals in need.

Lucy is passionate about her job, and loves every moment of helping animals while she travels the world.

Renee Alsarraf, New Jersey

Writing a book is no small task.
Particularly when you have recently overcome something as monumental as cancer!

Yet that’s precisely what Dr. Renée decided to do!
No surprise there, since she credits persistence, organization, and sincerity for getting her to the point she’s at today. Hot off the press, her book titled SIT, STAY, HEAL: What Dogs Can Teach Us About Living Well is a captivating and heartwarming story for dog lovers far and wide.

Dr. Renée’s story demonstrates to readers why canines are the perfect guides to help humans navigate traumatic and difficult experiences.

Dr. Ivan Zakharenkov, Ontario, Canada

Every veterinarian has experienced burnout at one time or another. It is one of the biggest pressures on the industry, alongside student debt and suicide rates. After 12 years as an ER veterinarian, Dr. Ivan Zakharenkov was among the many veterinarians who are so burned out, they knew a change was the only option.

After so many years fighting to save animals on the frontlines, Dr. Ivan made the switch from helping animals, to helping other veterinarians. He chose to create a company instead with the focus on helping vet offices prevent burnout in the workplace. And Galaxy Vets was created!

Dr. Ivan’s path to helping others was a long time in the making. He made his first dollar marking up and reselling vet kits to his fellow students after getting into vet school. This entrepreneurial spirit helped him to see the possibilities in everything that was thrown at him—including his burnout.

Not only that, Dr. Ivan  started the Galaxy Vets Foundation which provides support for displaced Ukrainian pets.

Other winners:

Betsy Saul Banks, North Carolina

How many people do you know have found homes for 30 million animals?
Betsy Banks Saul did! She's the co-founder of Petfinder.com, the game changer platform that first allowed people to search an online database of tens of thousands of homeless animals to find their perfect match- making the world a better place for animals. 

Now she is setting her sights onto making the world a better place for the people who care for those animals and that's why she founded Heal House Call Veterinarian🩺🐈

With Heal, Betsy is bringing funding and grants to veterinarians that want to start their own dream independently owned practices. What is even better is that the veterinarians also get support to build up their practice including mentorship, management, centralized reception and scheduling, and access to Heal formularies. In a nutshell, she is taking the scary part out of being a veterinary entrepreneur with funding and support.

Maggie Rose Macar, New Jersey

According to the National Library of Medicine, “The rate of suicide in the veterinary profession has been pegged as 4 times the rate in the general population.”

As the Founder and CEO of a new tech startup called zant., she is no stranger to becoming more cognizant and aware of mental health struggles. At just 19 years old, she lost a close friend to suicide. Since that time, Macar has witnessed firsthand just how difficult it can be to access affordable, timely, and personalized mental health services 

Paul Diaz, Colorado

Advocating for veterinary professionals is what this veterinary recruiter does best.

All veterinarians must complete studies on the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
Oftentimes, a new job comes with what is called a “non-compete agreement.”

After hearing horror stories from veterinarians who had signed non-competes, veterinary recruiter, Paul Diaz decided enough was enough. He immediately made a business decision to stop working with employers who required non-competes and now he’s on a mission to end them for good!

Dr. Katie Lawlor

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your mental health today? Here is an often-ignored truth: mental health exists on a spectrum.  What might start off as a “good” mental health day can quickly become…less so. For professionals like veterinarians and veterinary technicians who regularly work with people and animals in high stress situations, it’s extremely important to pay attention to the fluctuations in your mental health.

Dr. Katie Lawlor knows all about this. In fact, she’s made it her life’s mission to improve mental health!  Currently, Dr. Lawlor is the Co-Founder and Director the Veterinary Mental Health Initiative (VMHI).

Ellie Fuentes, New Jersey

Ellie Fuentes is a  private practice therapist at Clinical Insights in New Jersey. She holds a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University and is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counsel and a Licensed Associate Counselor in the state of New Jersey. Ellie is a frequent guest on Vet Candy podcasts on topics such as perfectionism, mental wellbeing, and addiction. She has helped open up the discussion about mental health in an effort to remove the stigma from mental illness.

Derrick Garret

Music producer turned animal lover, Derrick Garret wanted to help anxious pets find their zen. He combined his love for music with the science of music therapy to create Zoundz Music for Pets. In 2021, Zoundz launched the Harmony Project that brings music therapy from Zoundz to pets in shelters. Wow! What a great guy!

Read more about these amazing professionals and others on myvetcandy.com