Trupanion Announces Winners of the Veterinary Appreciation Day™ Awards

June 18, 2024 at 09:00 AM EDT

Trupanion awards four winners for Veterinary Appreciation Day following thousands of veterinary professional nominations.

In celebration of Veterinary Appreciation Day™ and in recognition of all the veterinary community does to support our beloved pets, Trupanion (Nasdaq: TRUP), the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America, announced the winners of its first annual Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards.

In 2015, Trupanion established June 18 as Veterinary Appreciation Day to recognize and celebrate the veterinary community for their profound impact on the lives of pets and their families. These new annual awards, designed to honor the extraordinary efforts of veterinary professionals across North America, sparked a wave of gratitude for the veterinary community. Trupanion received thousands of nominations for veterinarians and their support staff and nearly 45,000 votes were cast by the public.

Two awards, Veterinarian of the Year and Veterinary Professional of the Year, serve to acknowledge and showcase the hard work and dedication of the veterinary community, spread awareness about the many roles that make up the profession, and highlight the impact that veterinary teams have on pets and their communities.

“Veterinarians and veterinary professionals commit themselves to helping our pets day in and day out,” said Margi Tooth, Trupanion’s President. “We are beyond pleased to see just how many people took time out of their days to share appreciation for these professionals. The overwhelming show of support reaffirms the importance of creating this platform to help bring recognition to these often unsung heroes in our pet’s lives. To find four top choices in a sea of amazing nominees was no easy feat, and we’re proud to celebrate and recognize our winners as well as all our very worthy nominees.”

The following four winners were selected based on their impact on their veterinary teams, pet parents, and their colleagues alike.

2024 Veterinarian of the Year, United States

Astrid Kramer, DVM
Leo’s Pet Care - Carmel, IN
"Dr. Kramer exemplifies the essence of compassionate veterinary care and leadership, making her an outstanding nominee for Veterinarian of the Year. She goes above and beyond to ensure that pet owners fully understand their pet’s needs and treatment options, approaching every situation with empathy and understanding.”

2024 Veterinary Professional of the Year, United States

Samantha Kaiser, Veterinary Assistant
Pleasant Plains Animal Hospital - South Staten Island, NY
“Samantha starts every day with optimism I could only dream of having. It doesn’t matter what the day before held, or the worries of what’s ahead, she puts a smile on her face and pushes forward. She treats every patient with the same care she would our own pets and builds meaningful relationships with everyone she meets.”

2024 Veterinarian of the Year, Canada

Lesley Steele, DVM
Steele Veterinary Group - Atlantic Canada
“Community involvement and philanthropy are core to Dr. Steele’s identity. She adopts innovative medical practices and was the first to trial new AI diagnostic machines, influencing veterinary practices worldwide. Additionally, Dr. Steele and her team volunteer with PAWS (Pets of Aguirre Welfare Shelter) to provide veterinary care in remote areas of Costa Rica and Ecuador, demonstrating a commitment to global animal welfare.”

2024 Veterinary Professional of the Year, Canada

Carla Olsen, Client Care Specialist
Highlands Animal Hospital - North Vancouver, BC
“In an industry where compassion and dedication are paramount, Carla embodies the very essence of what it means to be a caring professional. She has been in the veterinary profession since she was sixteen years old, and still, she welcomes clients and their furry companions with warmth and genuine affection, treating them as if they were her own family. It is this personal touch that sets her apart and leaves a lasting impression on all who have the pleasure of interacting with her."

“Few professions embody as much compassion, empathy, and dedication as veterinary medicine.” said Dr. Steve Weinrauch, Trupanion’s Chief Veterinary/Product Officer. “At Trupanion we celebrate the veterinary community every day, and through Veterinary Appreciation Day we provide a way for those outside Trupanion to also share their thanks for those who work tirelessly to keep their pets healthy. On behalf of Trupanion, I commend these four winners for their dedication and achievements.”

Pet lovers everywhere are encouraged to visit vetappreciationday.trupanion.com to explore nominees and their remarkable stories as everyday heroes in this remarkable community. Thank you to everyone who participated, voted, and was nominated.

About Trupanion

Trupanion is the leading provider of medical insurance for over 1,000,000 cats and dogs throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Puerto Rico and Australia. For over two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners peace of mind so they can focus on their pet's recovery, not financial stress. With its patented process, Trupanion is the only North American provider with the technology to pay veterinarians directly in seconds at the time of checkout. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "TRUP". The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Accelerant Insurance Company of Canada. Trupanion Australia is a partnership between Trupanion and Hollard Insurance Company. For more information, please visit trupanion.com.