At recent local VMA meetings, Dr. Lowell Novy of the Santa Barbara-Ventura VMA and Dr. Terry Paik of the San Diego County VMA received the CVMA’s Outstanding Service Award. This award is given to individuals who have been excellent representatives of the profession through active community involvement and/or veterinary service. This includes involvement in veterinary and/or non-veterinary groups and associations. The nominee must be a CVMA member for the past 20 years.
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Lowell Novy, DVMAs the founder of Valley Veterinary Clinic Charitable Non-Profit Corporation in Simi Valley, Dr. Lowell Novy and his staff have assisted in reducing the overpopulation of unwanted pets that are so frequently euthanized in California. During the last 12 years over 15,000 cats and dogs have been altered through his free and low-cost spay and neuter program; in Ventura County alone abandonments and euthanasias have dropped dramatically. He has personally performed thousands of surgeries at no cost for this cause.
Not only has Dr. Novy been highly effective on a local level; he has also helped veterinarians in Oxnard, Santa Maria, Yreka, Stockton and other communities establish spay/neuter programs. Dr. Novy has exemplified how veterinarians can provide the leadership and vision needed to guide the public and local government to effective solutions. The passion and dedication that Dr. Novy has demonstrated serves as an excellent example to veterinary professionals of how they can contribute to improving animal welfare.
Terry Paik, DVMDr. Terry Paik has traveled around the world to help animals. Through animal search and rescue and veterinary disaster deployments he has responded to the World Trade Center attacks of 9-11, spent weeks in Great Britain working to halt a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, and assisted with rescue efforts after Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. Dr. Paik is a member of the CVMA Disaster Committee and has been the CVMA Disaster Response Coordinator for the last eight years. He has also made trips to spay and neuter and take care of animals in impoverished towns in Mexico.
Dr. Paik led evacuation efforts to save hundreds of animals from threats posed by California firestorms in the San Diego area in 2003 and 2007. He coordinates volunteers to transport animals and provide housing, food, and medical attention during disasters. Although retired, Dr. Paik continues to work for animal shelters and humane societies, performing surgeries on feral cats and teaching RVT students. Dr. Paik has set a wonderful example of service for the veterinary profession.
Nominations for 2010 must be received by December 31, 2009. Contact Marie Heinz at mheinz@cvma.net for details or visit the awards area of the CVMA.net website.