The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) announced Pet Peace of Mind as 2024 NAVC Presenting a Marquee Award recipient, as part of a new program from NAVC created to support and advance the veterinary profession and the welfare of people and animals worldwide. Pet Peace of Mind is a national nonprofit that enables people in hospice to keep their pets throughout the end-of-life journey and help find new homes for pets after a loved one passes. of life.
The NAVC announced the NAVC The inaugural award recipients are presented during the award ceremony in January at VMX 2024 in Orlando, Florida. The NAVC launched NAVC Provides 2023 with a $1 million commitment to fund awards to be made on a year-round basis.
“Pet Peace of Mind is honored and humbled to be recognized as the first recipient of this prestigious award,” said Pet Peace of Mind President Dianne McGill. “This gift will fund the launch of the program for 10 new hospices that will continue to serve patients and their pets forever. I have so much gratitude for the caring hearts behind the development of this compassionate initiative.”
“The human-animal bond is deep throughout life and perhaps no greater than at the end of life,” said NAVC CEO Gene O’Neill. “For so many people, having their beloved pets with them for comfort and love at this time is not an option. Pet Peace of Mind keeps the Human Animal Bond alive and people and animals together pet during hospice and finding homes for pets in need of a new loving home when their owner dies.Pet Peace of Mind’s work introduces what NAVC Gives is about and why we created this award to benefit the veterinary profession and animals around the world. We are honored to recognize and support Pet Peace of Mind as the NAVC Marquee Award recipient.”
Based in Salem, Oregon, Pet Peace of Mind works through hospice partners to provide pet care services at no cost to patients and in some cases even cover the cost of veterinary care. Pet Peace of Mind volunteers are specially trained to provide pet care assistance at home when the patient needs help caring for a pet and to help orphaned pets find loving homes. that new home if necessary. With this compassionate support, patients never have to worry about their pet’s current or future needs.
The NAVC The Inner Pup was also recognized as a NAVC Presenting the award recipient. Inner Pup is a New Orleans-based nonprofit that fights heartworm disease, which is prevalent in up to 80% of dogs owned by low-income families in this community, and offers access to care to the veterinarian for underserved groups to ensure pet health is not dictated. through the owner’s income.
“Collaboration with the veterinary community is essential to tackling some of our most difficult challenges,” O’Neill said. “The Inner Pup, a 2024 NAVC Giving Award Recipient, that is reflected in its approach to the New Orleans community. Inner Pup offers a model of how effective partnerships can help address barriers to care in underrepresented groups, strengthen pet owner education and promote animal welfare. “
Made in 2023, NAVC Gives is a board-directed awards program that was initially funded by a $1 million commitment from NAVC. Through this program, the NAVC will recognize and support individuals, groups and organizations around the world who make a significant difference in the lives of veterinary professionals and animals. Unlike most awards programs that have a set timetable for accepting nominations, NAVC Gives will recognize achievements and notable achievements throughout the year based on the merit and impact of the application. Several awards may be given each year and applications may be submitted throughout the year.
NAVC Provides builds to NAVCIts long-standing commitment to philanthropic pursuits, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to members of the international veterinary community through scholarship programs such as Dr. Earl H. Rippie Veterinary Nurse Leadership Scholarships, the Michael J. Day AFSCAN Scholarship, the Colin F. Burrows International Scholar Program, free education subscription and conference registration, and other charitable donations.
