2018 Hero Veterinarian and Veterinary Nurse Award winners announced

David Chico, VMD, MPH, from Albany, New York, was named 2018's American Hero Veterinarian. Photo courtesy of American Humane.

The search for the 2018 American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse featured hundreds of nominees and tens of thousands of votes from the American public, according to a release from American Humane. In the end, David Chico, VMD, MPH, from Albany, New York, was named 2018's American Hero Veterinarian, and Tammy Boland from Oceanport, New Jersey, 2018's American Hero Veterinary Nurse.  

Ten years ago, Dr. Chico created a free quarterly pet wellness clinic in partnership with Albany Damien Center's PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support), offering veterinary care to low-income, HIV-positive pet owners, the release states. He also volunteers with Animals Lebanon in Beirut, providing lifesaving care to severely abused and neglected animals.

Boland, 2018's Hero Veterinary Nurse Award winner, has saved hundreds of dogs over the past 11 years through her work with Pick Your Paw Animal Rescue, according to the release. Boland works with some of the busiest shelters across New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania to create a safe place for the most at-risk dogs to learn trust after physical and emotional pain.

Tammy Boland from Oceanport, New Jersey, was named 2018's American Hero Veterinary Nurse. Photo courtesy of American Humane.

"Dr. Chico and Ms. Boland are tremendous animal welfare advocates and we are so proud to learn of their laudable accomplishments aiding the animals in need in their communities and beyond,” says Robin Ganzert, PhD, American Humane president and CEO, in the release.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards are presented by the Lois Pope LIFE Foundation and Zoetis Petcare and will be broadcast nationally on the Hallmark Channel on Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. More information about this year's American Humane Hero Veterinarian and Hero Veterinary Nurse Awards is available here.