CVMA Recognizes IL State Comptroller Topinka as Animal Welfare Champion
Burr Ridge, IL – The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) recognized Illinois State Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka at Brookfield Zoo on Wednesday the 13th of January 2013 with the Animal Advocate Award for her tireless devotion and commitment to the welfare of animals.
CVMA President Dr. Alexis Newman shared with association members the accomplishments of Ms. Topinka and her Comptroller’s Critters Program, which included the successful adoption placement of 1,357 cats and dogs into the homes of the Illinois residents since its inception in July 2011.
“What you do is God’s work, it really is” said Ms. Topinka to an audience of nearly 150 veterinarians from the Chicago metropolitan area when presented the award by Dr. Newman. She underscored the importance of veterinarians having a strong voice by providing their insight and expertise necessary for the creation of good legislation in Springfield and bringing solutions to problems in the State of Illinois.
Ms. Topinka’s actions reflect the spirit of the late James Alfred Wright, a beloved British veterinary surgeon better known as James Herriot who once stated that “I hope to make people realize how totally helpless animals are, how dependent on us, trusting as a child must that we will be kind and take care of their needs.” This award was given to Ms. Judy Baar Topinka who has contributed significantly to the humane care and treatment of animals through creation of the Comptroller’s Critter Program.
“We plan to work much more closely as [the] CVMA.with her office in order to help with the adoptions, but more importantly for us to promote our members as the veterinarians that these adopted pets will see” explained Dr. Newman.
To ensure long term health of pets, the veterinarian profession strongly recommends owners at minimum an annual visit for a well check exam and routine vaccination schedule.
“So with all of us working together, I believe we will make this award stick and you will have others in the legislature and government coming back and helping you out and it’s all been an honor for the veterinary association,” expressed Ms. Topinka in conclusion thanking the CVMA for the Animal Advocate Award.
The CVMA looks forward to its continued work with the IL State Comptroller’s Critters Care Program to best educate the public about pet ownership responsibility and animal welfare.
For more information about the CVMA, please visit <https://www.chicagovma.org> www.chicagovma.org.
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The CVMA is an association of over 1000 veterinarians and 4000 support staff who lovingly assist more than one million Chicago area pets and their families.
The membership of the CVMA is dedicated to the health and well-being of animals through its nurturing of the human animal bond. The CVMA will strive to fulfill the diversified needs of its members by providing nationally recognized CE programs, cultivating membership involvement, and offering innovative member services and exemplary public awareness.
Since 1896, the CVMA has continued a proud tradition of providing its members with vital services and programs which have expanded dramatically over a century to meet the ever-changing needs of the veterinary profession and its diverse patients and clients.