Outstanding Veterinary Technicians and Assistants Recognized with Champions of the Cause Award

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. - April 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Veterinary technicians and assistants play a critical role in horse health. To recognize their contributions in shaping the future of equine health, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI),EquiManagement magazine, and the American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians and Assistants (AAEVT) are once again accepting nominations for the Champions of the Cause Award for the second year. The nomination period will run from April 1 to July 15, 2016.

"We are so happy to be recognizing the value of veterinary technicians and assistants with this award, and acknowledging their role in providing the best care for horses," says Dr. John Tuttle, senior associate director for Equine Professional Services for BIVI. "The nominees we received last year were ideal examples of what these individuals mean to veterinarians, horse owners, and the horses themselves. It's great to highlight their work in the industry, particularly those who go the extra mile to provide the best health and a bright future for horses."

"EquiManagement is thrilled to partner with Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. in recognizing and rewarding equine veterinary technicians and assistants as Champions of the Cause," says Kimberly S. Brown, associate publisher and editor of the magazine. "Boehringer Ingelheim has long been a supporter of equine education, and we love that the company is developing a program for veterinarians to honor top technicians and assistants."

Veterinary technicians and assistants with two or more years of experience in the equine field can be nominated by a veterinarian. Winners will be chosen based on the following criteria:
· Passion for equine health
· Commitment to further their knowledge of equine well-being
· Dedication to shaping the future of equine health

Two winners among the nominated veterinary technicians and assistants will be selected as the 2016 Champions of the Cause. The two Champions of the Cause will each receive an expense-paid trip to the AAEVT Conference during the December 2016 AAEP Convention in Orlando, Florida. Winners will also be recognized and honored in the winter issue of EquiManagement, as well as at the annual American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention and AAEVT Convention. The veterinarians who nominate the two winners will also receive a $1,000 cash prize.

"Veterinary technicians and assistants are often the ones seeing some of the more subtle signs of disease," says Dr. Tuttle. "As BIVI continues to pioneer equine health by bringing new products into the marketplace, we want to reward those veterinary technicians and assistants who are also innovative in their thinking regarding equine health through their dedication and furthering their knowledge of equine health."

Veterinarians are invited to nominate their hardworking technicians and assistants by July 15, 2016. Candidates can be nominated at http://www.EquiManagement.com/ChampionsoftheCause.

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©2016 Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

About Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., (BIVI) is the fifth largest animal health company in the U.S. and produces innovative vaccine and pharmaceutical products for the prevention and treatment of diseases in the swine, cattle, equine and companion animal markets.  BIVI is the U.S. subsidiary of the global Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health GmbH.  Our U.S. headquarters are located within the KC Animal Health Corridor in St. Joseph, Mo., with other locations in Ames, Fort Dodge and Sioux Center, Iowa.

With more than 3,600 employees worldwide, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health achieved net sales of about 1.13 billion euros in 2014. In our research-driven Animal Health business, Boehringer Ingelheim continually invests more than 11% of net sales of the Animal Health business in R&D.

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, Boehringer Ingelheim operates globally with 146 affiliates and a total of more than 47,700 employees. The focus of the family-owned company, founded in 1885, is researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing new medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is an important element of the corporate culture at Boehringer Ingelheim. This includes worldwide involvement in social projects, such as the initiative "Making more Health" and caring for the employees. Respect, equal opportunities and reconciling career and family form the foundation of the mutual cooperation. In everything it does, the company focuses on environmental protection and sustainability.

For more information please visit www.bi-vetmedica.com