Amy Shojai happily displays her award. She is joined by Dr. Rena Carlson and Steve Dale.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) named author Amy Shojai as the winner of the 2023 AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award at its July AVMA convention.
Dr. Jim Humphries
Dr. Jim Humphries, an adjunct professor of media and communications at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and veteran media spokesperson, was one of the veterinarians who nominated Shojai for the award. In the AVMA convention newspaper, he said, “You could not find a more experienced person who creates and delivers outstanding content that is easily read, heard, and seen by pet lovers all over the country. I believe she truly embodies ‘Excellence in Veterinary Media’ more than anyone I know.”
The award was established in 2022 by the AVMA to honor the achievements of an individual who has contributed to the positive visibility of the veterinary profession by raising public awareness of the important and diverse roles veterinarians play in every facet of the health and welfare of animals, people, and the environment. The award is named for Steve Dale, a longtime author, and broadcaster who was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2022.
Dr. Lori Teller
“Amy’s tireless efforts in communicating accessible, engaging, and informative resources about pet care and behavior have helped countless pet owners care for and connect with their animal companions,” said Dr. Teller, president of the AVMA. “Her work epitomizes the spirit of the Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award, and it’s an honor to recognize her contributions to companion animal education and advocacy.”
Shojai, a certified animal behavior consultant who began her career as a veterinary technician, has written more than 35 books and 4,000 articles and columns on training, behavior, veterinary care, and the health benefits of cats and dogs. She is the affiliate Pet Editor for the ReadersDigest.com group and has written for MarthaStewartLiving.com, Chewy.com, DailyPaws.com, FearFreePets.com, HillsPets.com, and AdamsPetCare.com, and has contributed to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Reader’s Digest, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Woman’s World and many other leading periodicals.
She has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and CNN, and regularly appears on national radio and television in connection with her writing. Perhaps most memorably, she represented the “cat side” and won a nationally televised tongue-in-cheek debate (NBC Today Show, Fox, CNN, and others) arguing whether cats or dogs are the more appropriate White House pets.
Shojai wrote a weekly award-winning P’ETiQuette newspaper column and hosted the half-hour radio Pet Peeves radio podcast. She appeared in a twice-monthly Pet Talk feature at KXII-TV in Texas for nearly 20 years, produces the Ask Amy pet care video series on YouTube, and appears as a pet expert on Animal Planet’s DOGS 101 and CATS 101.
In 1992, Shojai co-founded the International Cat Writers’ Association to improve the quality of feline-related information available to the public. She is a certified member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Fear Free Certified Trainer, and a longtime member of the Dog Writers Association of America. She’s also a past president and honorary lifetime member of the Oklahoma Writers Federation, and a professional member of the Alliance of Independent Authors, Sisters in Crime, and the International Thriller Writers. She has won dozens of awards for her books and other writing, including the Friskies Writer of the Year Award, the Texas VMA Mark Francis Award for Journalistic Excellence, and the Winn Feline Foundation Media Appreciation Award.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award because it validates my body of work and shines a light on what I do to help pets,” said Shojai. “But also because it celebrates my heroes—veterinarians who shared their passion with me over the years.”
A closeup of Amy Shojai’s AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award
To view Shojai’s acceptance video, click here or visit https://vimeo.com/843304024/2056d15e94.
To learn more about the AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award., visit www.avma.org/awards
Editor’s Note:
Amy Shojai is the recipient of numerous awards including the Germinder Power of Pink Award for our parent company’s 20th anniversary. Read about our Goodnewsforpets.com history and my admiration in the blog post below – that still rings true! Congratulations Amy on this most recent award, I’m sure there are many more in your future. – Lea-Ann Germinder
2 Comments
Thank you so much, my friend! The Germinder Power of Pink Award I include in top milestone honors of my career. When you get to do what you love–sharing good information about cats and dogs–the work becomes a joy!
Amy, you are so welcome. You are a shining star not only in your field but as a human being who spreads kindness and knowledge whereever you go. I am honored to know you and call you my friend as well. Thank you for all you do for pets and us humans!