Morris Animal Foundation Searches for America's Best Vet With 'Thank Your Vet for...

Morris Animal Foundation Searches for America's Best Vet With 'Thank Your Vet
for a Healthy Pet(SM)' Contest
Nationwide Essay Contest Honors Veterinarians for Dedication to Improving
Animal Health and Well-Being; Co-sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition and DOG
FANCY, CAT FANCY and Veterinary Practice News Magazines

DENVER, May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- If you think your veterinarian is the best
in America, nominate him or her for the second annual Thank Your Vet for a
Healthy Pet(SM) Contest. The national short-essay contest honors America's
veterinarians for their dedication to helping animals and strengthening the
bond we have with our pets. The contest is conducted by Morris Animal
Foundation (MAF) and sponsored by Hill's Pet Nutrition, and DOG FANCY, CAT
FANCY and Veterinary Practice News magazines, published by BowTie, Inc.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040701/LAMAFLOGO)
The nationwide essay contest runs from June 1, 2008, to August 31, 2008.
Essays can be no longer than 300 words and should address four areas: 1) the
veterinarian's outstanding care and treatment to clients, 2) commitment to the
human-animal bond, 3) service to the community, and 4) devotion to the
veterinary profession. For rules and to enter online, go to
http://www.ThankYourVet.org after June 1. Entries can also be mailed to Morris
Animal Foundation, Thank Your Vet Contest, 10200 E. Girard Ave., Ste. B430,
Denver, CO 80206. Entries must be submitted electronically submitted or
postmarked no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT, August 31, 2008. Entries must follow
the official contest rules to be considered. To receive a printed copy of the
rules, call 800.243.2345.
"Last year's contest was a huge success with more than 1,000 nominations
submitted. We are delighted that Hill's Pet Nutrition has joined us this year
as the official corporate sponsor," says Patricia N. Olson, DVM, Ph.D.,
president and CEO of Morris Animal Foundation. "We are also very pleased to
have the BowTie publications returning as our media sponsors. We received many
nominations last year from their readers."
The partnership between MAF and Hill's dates back to the 1940s when Dr.
Mark L. Morris Sr. developed a special diet that halted kidney disease in
dogs. The diet became so popular that Dr. Morris couldn't meet demand, so he
teamed with Burton Hill, owner of the Hill Packing Company, to produce the
innovative dog food. This agreement inspired what is today the line of
Prescription Diet(R) pet foods, manufactured by Hill's Pet Nutrition and
available exclusively through veterinarians. Dr. Morris used the royalties
from that agreement to establish Morris Animal Foundation.
"We are very proud to support this initiative that helps us express just
how grateful we are to have so many great veterinarians across the country,"
Janet Donlin, Hill's chief veterinarian, said. "The number of nominations and
the stories submitted along with them are extremely moving and remind us, the
veterinarians, why we chose this rewarding career in the first place."
One national winner and five regional winners will be selected by a panel
of judges. Winners will be contacted by November 1, 2008, and will be honored
before their peers at the February 2009 Western Veterinary Conference in Las
Vegas. Winners will be featured in the March 2009 issues of Veterinary
Practice News, DOG FANCY and CAT FANCY magazines. All nominees will receive a
nomination certificate.
About Morris Animal Foundation: Morris Animal Foundation, established in
1948, is dedicated to funding research that protects, treats and cures
companion animals and wildlife. MAF has been at the forefront of funding
breakthrough research studies benefiting animals in some 100 countries,
spanning all seven continents on earth. MAF has its headquarters in Denver,
Colorado. The Foundation has funded nearly 1,400 humane animal health studies.
One hundred percent of annual donations go to fund health study programs. For
more information, call (800) 243-2345, or visit
http://www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org.
About Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.
Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. manufactures Hill's(R) Prescription Diet(R)
brand pet foods, therapeutic pet foods available only through veterinarians,
and Hill's(R) Science Diet(R) brand pet foods sold through veterinarians and
finer pet specialty stores. Founded more than 60 years ago with a unique
commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill's is committed to its mission
to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their
pets. Hill's produces high-quality, great-tasting pet foods owners can trust
and give to their canine and feline companions as part of a veterinary health
care team recommendation. This ultimately improves patient health and the
health of the practice. For more information about Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc.,
and Hill's Evidence-Based Clinical Nutrition(TM) visit HillsVet.com.
Media Contacts:
Heidi Jeter, Morris Animal Foundation
800.243.2345, hjeter@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org
SOURCE Morris Animal Foundation

Heidi Jeter of Morris Animal Foundation, 1-800-243-2345,
hjeter@MorrisAnimalFoundation.org