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Congratulations to the 2024 Award Winners!

 The CVMA honors individuals and organizations that make significant contributions to organized veterinary medicine through participation in CVMA activities and through the human-animal bond.  The latest inductee into the California Animal Hall of Fame is also recognized.

 

Congratulations to the 2024 CVMA award recipients!  They represent the very best of the veterinary profession in California and the human-animal bond.

DR. GEORGE BISHOP LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

CVMA Lifetime Photo_Dr. Klingborg_Nov 2021

Jon Klingborg, DVM

Dr. Jon Klingborg has made an indelible mark on both the CVMA and veterinary medicine at large. Among his many accomplishments, perhaps Dr. Klingborg’s crowning achievement was the development and passage of the CVMA’s Eight Principles of Animal Welfare, Care, and Use in 2004. At that time, only 20 years ago, the phrase “animal welfare” caused anxiety within the profession. It was Dr. Klingborg who led the veterinary community to rethink animal welfare and  the treatment of our animal patients. The adoption of the  CVMA’s Eight Principles was felt across the nation, with state VMAs and the American Veterinary Medical Association following suite and crafting their own animal welfare principles, positively affecting the lives of countless animals. 

DISTINGUISHED LIFE MEMBERSHIP

Naomi Tobias Headshot

Naomi Tobias

In 2011, Naomi Tobias founded the Central California Animal Disaster Team to assist emergency response agencies with animal evacuation, emergency sheltering, search and rescue, and  animal reunification during small or large-scale incidents. Since  2013, this team has responded to over 40 wildfires.

Linda Markland Outstanding RVT OF THE YEAR AWARD – NON-PRIVATE PRACTICE

Melina Picture

Melina Stambolis, RVT

Melina Stambolis is the Veterinary Operations Supervisor at the Humane  Society of Sonoma County, where she supervises and trains staff in a High-Quality, High-Volume Spay/Neuter clinic. Melina is recognized for her outstanding ability to provide high-quality  care in low-cost, high-volume settings. 

CALIFORNIA ANIMAL HALL OF FAME

Aloha 16

Aloha, with Care Provider Laura Valdes

Aloha was trained as a puppy to be a comfort dog within the Yolo County District Attorney’s office. She has provided support  for crime victims, many of whom are children and victims of traumatic events, and has even been allowed to sit with crime victims as they are testifying in court.

Nominate Someone for a CVMA Award

It is the CVMA’s honor and pleasure to recognize significant contributions to the veterinary profession! The announcement of the award recipients is the highlight of the Pacific Veterinary Conference. We invite all readers to take a moment and ask, “Who has stood out in the crowd?”  Who has made a difference?”  Then, send your nomination packet to the CVMA. In June 2025, you can join your colleagues in Long Beach in applauding the recipients of these prestigious awards!


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