Behind almost every hero pet (and millions more animals) is a hero veterinarian or hero veterinary technician.

These often little-known benefactors save and improve the lives of our two- and four-legged best friends in many ways, and the American Humane Association Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Technician Awards™, presented by Zoetis, honor their achievements.

Pet owners and animal lovers alike are invited to nominate their favorite veterinary professionals who are dedicated to the betterment of the health and welfare of animals and the promotion of the human-animal bond. The winning veterinarian and veterinary technician will be flown to Los Angeles to be honored as part of the fifth annual American Humane Association Hero Dog Awards™, which will be taped for a national television broadcast on Hallmark Channel later in the fall. These awards are not limited to companion animal veterinarians. Professionals from all fields of veterinary medicine are eligible for entry including, but not limited to those who work in: research, emergency services, shelters, and those who work with large and exotic animals.

Last year’s top winners among the nearly 700 nominees were Eva DeCozio, DVM, of the VCA Apache Junction clinic in Higley, Arizona, named 2014’s American Hero Veterinarian, and Signe Corbin of the Westlake Animal Hospital in Austin, Texas, 2014’s American Hero Veterinary Technician.