Zoetis Congratulates the Winners of the 2019 American Humane Hero Awards

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Press release: Zoetis

Zoetis, a proud ongoing sponsor of the American Humane Hero Dog Awards and the American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Veterinary Nurse Awards, recognizes and congratulates all of the winners—both four-legged and two-legged—honored at the awards’ ninth annual gala in Beverly Hills, California. This year, as the title sponsor of the awards, Zoetis is especially proud to celebrate the winners of the 2019 American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Veterinary Nurse Awards, Dr. Terry Morris and Angel Martin.

“Veterinary professionals are the heroes who dedicate their lives to making a difference in both animals’ and their owners’ lives through their outstanding veterinary care and we are honored to show our support through sponsoring these awards,” said Tara Bidgood, DVM, PhD, DACVCP, executive director, Veterinary Professional Services, Zoetis Petcare. “Dr. Morris and Angel have provided life-saving services to many animals and their inspiring work continues to strengthen the powerful human-animal bond between pets and the families who love them.”

2019 American Humane Hero Veterinarian Award Recipient

Terry Morris, MS, DVM, PhD of Durham, North Carolina has been committed to the betterment of the health and well-being of animals, as well as veterans, fostering the important human-animal bond. Dr. Morris is the founder of Vets to Vets United, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to unite veterans and dogs for a common goal of improving and saving their lives. Dr. Morris created the organization after her father passed away while on duty as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. Because of Vets to Vets United, Dr. Morris has been able to improve veterans’ lives by providing companionship and/or help with a mental or physical disability, in addition to saving many dogs facing euthanasia by adopting the animal from a local animal shelter. Dr. Morris continues to improve the lives of all those she helps, human and animal alike.

2019 American Humane Hero Veterinary Nurse Award Recipient

Angel Martin of Lawrenceville, Georgia, has gone above-and-beyond her call of duty to save countless pets through the CARE Fund (Companion Animal Rescue & Emergency Fund) at the Russell Ridge Animal Hospital. Angel was an integral part in helping animals that have been saved by the CARE Fund, including a bloodhound with an advanced mammary tumor given days to live and a dog who suffered a bullet wound to its head. In addition to her day-to-day role as a Veterinary Nurse at Russell Ridge Animal Hospital, Angel has helped organize an annual 5K event to grow contributions for the CARE Fund, hosted a pet pictures with Santa event and maintained the clinic’s active social media presence. Angel’s compassionate care for animals is inspiring to the next generation of animal lovers and advocates.

More information about this year’s American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse is available here.

Sergeant Yeager and Dax Represent Military and Law Enforcement/Arson Dog Categories

Since 2016, Zoetis has sponsored two Hero Dog categories — Military Dogs and Law Enforcement/Arson Dogs.

Sergeant Yeager, representing the Military Dog category sponsored by Zoetis, makers of Apoquel (oclacitinib tablet), is a 13-year-old Black Lab who honorably performed combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as an Improvised Explosive Detection (IED) Dog with the U.S. Marine Corps. During his three combat tours, Sgt. Yeager participated in over 100 patrols, and was tasked with clearing routes for his fellow Marines. In 2012, Sgt. Yeager suffered shrapnel wounds from an IED that caused him to lose part of his ear. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries. Despite his trials and having witnessed acts of terrorism, Sgt. Yeager remains a sweet dog with an infinitely joyful disposition. He has settled in North Carolina with his family, where he is an ambassador for the Project K-9 Hero Foundation.

Dax, representing the Law Enforcement/Arson Dog category sponsored by Simparica (sarolaner), is a 4-year-old German Shepherd who’s been working at the Lake County (IL) Sheriff’s Office. He has been directly responsible for tracking and successfully apprehending more than 70 suspects. Dax has also been accountable for tracking and finding dozens of missing or endangered children and adults. Last year, Dax saved the lives of citizens and deputies when he tracked a fugitive who had allegedly committed a burglary. The fugitive was charged with attempted murder and several other felonies after being located by the courageous canine. Dax’s tireless drive and dedication to training has made him an outstanding K9 hero.

More about Dax, Sgt. Yeager and the other finalists is available here.

Hallmark Channel will air a special broadcast to honor all Hero Awards finalists (both four-legged and two-legged) on Monday, Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.