January 13, 2005
 

Earl O. Strimple, DVM, has been named Hartz Veterinarian of the Year by The Hartz Mountain Corp. 
 

Dr. Strimple, who was honored this week at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, was chosen from more than 1,000 nominations.

Strimple, founder of the Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization People-Animals-Love (PAL), was nominated by Margery Yeager, whose pets he has treated for more than 20 years. 
 

Over the years, Strimple has organized numerous programs, including PAL, that bring companion animals into the lives of hospital patients, nursing-home residents, prison populations, disadvantaged children, hospice patients and others.
 

"Dr. Strimple’s compassionate volunteers have quietly enriched the lives of thousands of adults and children," said Albert Ahn, DVM, vice president of corporate communications and veterinary operations at Hartz. 
 

"We salute Dr. Strimple’s tireless efforts to promote the human-animal bond through community outreach, and we are proud to make this award to such an outstanding individual."
 

Strimple receives a grand prize of $5,000. 
 

 The runners-up in the contest, which started in 2001, were Lee Morgan, DVM, of the Georgetown Animal Hospital in Washington, D.C., and Lori Civello, DVM, of the Glendale Animal Hospital in Glendale Heights, Ill. They each receive a $2,500 prize.