ASV made a commitment to drive the advancement of shelter medicine in an inclusive way, giving our members the opportunity to be leaders in shelter medicine best practices. The three awards described below recognize those members who are dedicated to pushing our mission forward. 

Meritorious Service Award (MSA)

Established in 2010, this award recognizes remarkable members of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians who have made significant contributions to the advancement of shelter veterinary medicine via leadership, public service, research, education, advocacy, and/or clinical practice. The ASV's intent in conferring this award is to bring attention to excellence in shelter medicine by recognizing those who serve as exceptional ambassadors of the profession. Current and past veterinarians, veterinary students, and affiliate ASV members are eligible; current ASV Board Members are ineligible. Anyone may nominate qualified individuals who are members of the ASV for this award. Recipients receive a plaque, a shelter medicine textbook of their choice, a $250 donation to a non-profit organization of  their choice, and are recognized at the ASV Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium in the Spring. Funding is available to help cover the recipient’s travel expenses. Nomination packages for the MSA are to be submitted by email to info@sheltervet.org and must consist of a nomination form and nomination letter. The nominee's resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is highly recommended but not required. A professional summary can be used in place of a CV. Deadline for submission is February 1. Additional letters seconding, endorsing, or supporting nominations for awards will not be used in evaluating candidates, nor will self-nominations be accepted. The nominations committee will review the nominations and recommend a recipient to the ASV Board, and the ASV Board will vote on the recipient. 

The 2024 Meritorious Service Award was recently presented to Dr. Karla Brestle. Dr. Brestle is a distinguished veterinarian whose unwavering commitment and pioneering efforts in advancing high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) initiatives have left an indelible mark on shelter medicine globally. A North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine alumna, Dr. Brestle has dedicated over 25 years to the ASPCA Spay/Neuter Alliance in Ashville (formerly Humane Alliance), currently holding the position of Senior Director of Training & Programs. Her innovative leadership in formulating and implementing HQHVSN protocols has transformed spay/neuter practices, ensuring both effectiveness and evidence-based methodologies. Dr. Brestle's influence transcends her role at ASNA; she has co-authored numerous publications and led educational campaigns to empower veterinarians and students in shelter medicine, fostering a culture of mentorship and inspiring countless individuals to enact change within their communities.

Pictured left to right, Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, Dr. Brendan Bergquist, Dr. Karla Brestle, Dr. Lena DeTar

Previous Meritorious Service Award Recipients 

 
Veterinarian of the Year Award (VYA)

Established in 2018, this award recognizes remarkable members of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians who have been outstanding in their role as a veterinarian to improve community animal health and wellbeing. The ASV's intent in conferring this award is to bring attention to excellence in shelter medicine by recognizing those who serve as exceptional role models of the profession. Veterinarians serving in municipal, private, and/or non-profit shelters and other community animal endeavors are eligible; current ASV Board Members are ineligible. Anyone may nominate qualified eligible individuals who are members of the ASV for this award. Recipients receive a plaque, a shelter medicine textbook, and a $250 donation to an organization of their choice, and are recognized at the ASV Annual Meeting, held in conjunction with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium in the Spring.  Nomination packages for the VYA are to be submitted by email to info@sheltervet.org and must consist of a nomination form and nomination letter. The nominee's resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is highly recommended but not required. A professional summary can be used in place of a CV. Deadline for submission is February 1. Additional letters seconding, endorsing, or supporting nominations for awards will not be used in evaluating candidates, nor will self-nominations be accepted. The nominations committee will review the nominations and recommend a recipient to the ASV Board, and the ASV Board will vote on the recipient.

The 2024 Veterinarian of the Year award was recently presented to Dr. Rebecca Fellman. Dr. Fellman, has been honored with the 2024 ASV Veterinarian of the Year Award, recognizing her exceptional contributions and leadership in shelter medicine. Her dedication to improving animal health and welfare, particularly in underserved areas, epitomizes the essence of this prestigious accolade. With a D.V.M. from Cornell University and a background in small animal medicine and surgery, Dr. Fellman has played a pivotal role at MSPCA-Angell since 2018 and currently serves as the Lead Clinician, Community and Shelter Services. She led transformative initiatives that have significantly enhanced access to essential veterinary services and positively impacted the lives of over 10,000 animals annually. Through her visionary strategies, she has revolutionized shelter medicine practices, addressing medical barriers to adoption, and establishing robust community outreach programs. Beyond her clinical endeavors, Dr. Fellman's commitment to animal welfare shines through her leadership in establishing a high-volume TNVR program in collaboration with Berkeley County Animal Center, once again, reflecting her steadfast dedication to advancing shelter veterinary medicine.

Pictured: Dr. Cynthia Cox, Dr. Lena DeTar, Dr. Rebecca Fellman, Dr. Lucy Fuller
 

Previous Veterinarian of the Year Recipients 

 
Veterinary Student of the Year Award (VSYA)

Established in 2024, this award recognizes remarkable veterinary student members of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians who have shown passion and dedication to shelter and community medicine. The ASV's intent in conferring this award is to bring attention to excellence in shelter medicine by recognizing those veterinary students who have made strong contributions to this vital area of veterinary medicine. Only veterinary students who are ASV members either individually or through a student chapter are eligible for this award. Anyone may nominate qualified eligible individuals. Recipients receive a plaque, a bound copy of the Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters and a $500 scholarship. Recipients will also be recognized at the ASV Annual Members Reception, held in conjunction with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners Symposium in the Spring and will receive expense reimbursement of up to $1,500 for travel and lodging. Nomination packages for the VSYA are to be submitted by email to info@sheltervet.org and must consist of a nomination form and nomination letter. The nominee's resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is highly recommended but not required. A professional summary can be used in place of a CV. Deadline for submission is February 1. Additional letters seconding, endorsing, or supporting nominations for awards will not be used in evaluating candidates, nor will self-nominations be accepted. The nominations committee will review the nominations and recommend a recipient to the ASV Board, and the ASV Board will vote on the recipient.