(Left to right) Dr Mukti Narayan Shrestha receiving his Award from WSAVA President Colin Burrows
World Small Animal Veterinary Association Announces 2015 Award Winners
9 years ago 
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During its annual World Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, in May the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) announced the winners of its prestigious annual awards, which recognize veterinary excellence and achievement around the world.
WSAVA International Award for Scientific Achievement
This year's recipient is Dr Michael R Lappin, Professor of Small Animal Clinical Veterinary Medicine at Colorado State University, USA. Dr Lappin's principal areas of interest are the prevention of infectious diseases; the upper respiratory tract disease complex; infectious causes of fever; infectious causes of diarrhea and zoonoses of cats. He is a member of the WSAVA One Health Committee and received the Award in recognition of his contribution to global veterinary learning and our knowledge of small animal infectious disease.
WSAVA Global One Health Award
This year's recipient is Dr Nalinika Obeyesekere, CEO of Blue Paw Trust, an organization which contributes to human health and advances animal welfare in Sri Lanka.
Dr Obeyesekere received the Award in recognition of her tireless work to improve standards of veterinary care in Sri Lanka. This includes leading a project to develop a veterinary teaching hospital which meets international standards and developing a mass canine rabies vaccination campaign that led to the elimination of the disease in Colombo.
WSAVA Global Meritorious Service Award
This year's recipient is Nepalese veterinarian Dr Mukti Narayan Shrestha. Dr Shrestha is the first Nepalese veterinarian to hold senior ranks in the Nepalese government. He is also the first to be trained in the care of zoo animals and has been involved in programs to conserve wild animals in Nepal's Central Zoo. Throughout his career he has run his own companion animal practice - the first in Nepal - and has lectured around the world. Dr Shrestha is President of the Veterinary Practitioners Association of Nepal (VPAN) and an Adjunct Professor at the Himalayan College of Agricultural Science and Technology (HICAST). He is currently involved in relief work following the recent earthquake. He received the Award on the strength of his pioneering achievements during a long and distinguished career.
WSAVA President's Award
This year, this Award was made posthumously to Professor Jan Gajentaan, who died in February 2015. Professor Gajentaan championed the role of the companion animal veterinarian, founding first the Dutch Voorjaarsdagen (Spring) Congress before co-founding the Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA). He went on to play a pivotal role within in the WSAVA for many years as President, Honorary Treasurer and organizer of two World Congresses. His daughter was presented with the Award on his behalf.
WSAVA Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award
This year's recipient is Dr S. Sivagurunathan, whose commitment to driving up standards of veterinary care has contributed significantly to the increase in the quality of small animal medicine in his home country of Malaysia. Dr Siva is chairman of the Animal Medical Center (AMC) Group of Hospitals in Malaysia and is a past president of both the Malaysian Small Animal Veterinary Association and The Veterinary Association, Malaysia and is the founder and deputy chairman of the Malaysian National Animal Welfare Foundation. He received the Award in recognition of his work to raise standards of companion animal health care.
WSAVA Hill’s Next Generation Award
New this year, the Next Generation Award, also sponsored by Hill's, acknowledges the work of a young professional who has contributed to the betterment of animal life, the veterinary profession and society at large.
This first recipient of the Award is Dr Pantakarn Onnak, from Chonburi, Thailand. Dr Onnak's career confirms her commitment to using her veterinary skills to make a positive impact both on Thailand's animals and on its people. Her voluntary work includes running a program to neuter stray dogs and cats abandoned in Bhuddist temples and educating young people about preventative health in companion animals and the importance of neutering. She received the Award in recognition of her commitment to using her skills and knowledge for the good of animals and people.
The WSAVA-The Henry Schein Cares International Veterinary Community Service Award
This year's recipient is Dr Nantarika Chansue from Nonthaburi, Thailand, who has dedicated her life to the service of the veterinary profession and to wider Thai society. In addition to her 'day job' in academia, she serves on numerous committees and conservation and education-related volunteer programs. Dr Chansue received the Award in recognition of her contribution to keeping the animal, human and environmental worlds in harmony throughout South East Asia.
Commenting on this year's Award Winners, WSAVA President Colin Burrows said: "Yet again, we find ourselves celebrating the achievement of some most outstanding colleagues. They are an inspiration to the whole profession and we congratulate them on their achievements, which have benefitted animals and people around the world."
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is an umbrella organization representing 146,500 veterinarians globally through 96 member associations.
For further information:
Rebecca George, George PR
Tel: 01449 737281/07974 161108
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