2025 & 2026 Award Nominations

Nominations are closed for 2025 Veterinarian of the Year, Outstanding Faculty, Outstanding Industry Representative, Distinguished Veterinary Service, and Emerging Leader. Veterinary profession awards will be presented on Friday, Jan. 30 at the MVMA Business Meeting. Only MVMA Members can nominate someone for the awards listed below.

Nominations are closed for 2025 Animal Hall of Fame Awards-Hero, Companion, and Professional. Animal Hall of Fame Awards will be presented on Saturday, Jan. 31 before the keynote speaker during our 2026 Annual Conference. Animal awards can be nominated by anyone in the veterinary profession or public. 

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Animal Hall of Fame Awards-Hero, Companion, and Professional. These awards will be presented on Saturday, February 13, 2027 before the keynote speaker during our 2027 Annual Conference. Animal awards can be nominated by anyone in the veterinary profession or public.

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Questions about the awards or nomination process can be directed to [email protected]

Veterinarian of the Year
Members who have given much to the veterinary profession as well as to their community, they are well-rounded and are outstanding in the profession. Award selection is made, by secret ballot, by the Board of Directors at the December board meeting. Only the staff and award presenters know who will receive the award at the annual business meeting.

Nominees must be a faculty member of the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine (UMN, VMC) and all its related departments; who provide outstanding service to Minnesota veterinarians; who give of their time and talent to the veterinary profession; a leader who makes a difference to the profession; and a dedicated contributor to organized veterinary medicine.

In recognition of an individual (does not need to be a veterinarian) who has exhibited outstanding service to veterinarians and/or the MVMA. This individual should consistently provide exceptional service to Minnesota veterinarians and promote the profession through liaisons with the MVMA, veterinarians, and the profession in general.

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Distinguished Veterinary Service
Nominees for this award are members or non-member veterinarians or non-veterinarians who have performed outstanding service to the veterinary profession and have contributed to the well-being of animals.

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Emerging Leader
This award is given to MVMA members who have graduated from veterinary school within the past 10 years and has demonstrated achievement and leadership through veterinary community involvement and actively engaged with others in the profession.

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President's Award
The current president can choose an organization or individual he/she feels has contributed significantly to the veterinary profession, MVMA, and/or for promoting the human animal bond, animal health & welfare or public health.

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Animal Hall of Fame-can be nominated by any member of the veterinary profession or public. 
To celebrate the enduring link between animals and people, the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association honors domestic animals who exemplify the strength and value of the human-animal bond. It is a great opportunity to promote public awareness of the contributions domestic animals give. Don't miss this chance to honor a special animal.

The Awards Recognition will: Honor outstanding contributions that animal companions make to enrich human lives and heighten public awareness of the human-animal bond. 

Winners may have the opportunity to be publicized in newspaper articles, veterinary publications, or on television programs.

Categories – One inductee will be selected for each category: 

•  HERO - Animals who have saved or preserved human life.
•  COMPANION - Animals who have provided a benefit to their human companions or their community.
•  PROFESSIONAL - Animals especially trained to assist humans.

An animal can be nominated for multiple categories when appropriate.

Click Here to Nominate an Animal