Twelve veterinary professionals and teams across North America are recognized for their extraordinary impact on pets and the families who love them.
Veterinary professionals are often the unsung heroes behind some of life’s most emotional moments. They are healers, advocates, and first responders for our beloved pets, guiding families through joy, uncertainty, heartbreak, and hope with exceptional skill and compassion.
In recognition of their work and in honor of Veterinary Appreciation Day, Trupanion, the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs, today announced the winners of its 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards. The program celebrates individuals and teams whose dedication and compassion make a lasting difference in the lives of pets, families, colleagues, and communities across North America.
This year marked the largest Veterinary Appreciation Day campaign in Trupanion history, with nearly 2,000 nominations, more than 86,000 public votes cast, and nearly 110,000 nominee shares across social media and online communities.
From hundreds of heartfelt nominations submitted by pet parents, veterinary peers, and animal lovers, 12 winners were selected.
“Every pet parent remembers the people who were there during the moments that mattered most—the veterinarian who stayed late, the technician who offered comfort through heartbreak, the emergency team who refused to give up,” said Margi Tooth, President and CEO of Trupanion. “These awards honor those extraordinary individuals and teams. Reading this year’s nominations was a powerful reminder that veterinary professionals don’t just care for animals; they guide families through some of life’s most emotional moments with compassion, steadiness, and heart. We are deeply honored to celebrate them.”
2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Award Winners
United States West
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Veterinarian: Ashley McCaughan, DVM — Marina Village Veterinary and Holistic Care (Alameda, CA)
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Veterinary Professional: Peggy Peterson, Receptionist — 24th Street Animal Clinic (Omaha, NE)
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Team: VCA River City Animal Hospital (Post Falls, ID)
United States East
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Veterinarian: Jennifer Derby, DVM — River Road Animal Hospital (Southport, NC)
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Veterinary Professional: Taylor Conley, RVT — Animal Care Clinic of North Canton (North Canton, OH)
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Team: Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service (MVSES) (Louisville, KY)
Canada West
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Veterinarian: Taryn Cass, DVM — Uptown Animal Hospital (Salmon Arm, BC)
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Veterinary Professional: Chantelle Best, VA — Wood Buffalo Small Animal Hospital (Fort McMurray, AB)
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Team: Boreal Veterinary Centre (Edmonton, AB)
Canada East
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Veterinarian: Lara Cohen, DVM — Clinique Vétérinaire De Hull (Gatineau, QC)
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Veterinary Professional: Caitlin Harrison, Client Care Specialist — Halifax Veterinary Hospital (Halifax, NS)
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Team: Hometown Veterinary Hospital (Fredericton, NB)
More Than Medicine: Stories of the 2026 Honorees
Among this year’s honorees is Ashley McCaughan, DVM, of Marina Village Veterinary and Holistic Care in Alameda, California, who is recognized as the U.S. West Veterinarian winner for her compassionate, relationship-centered approach to care. Her nominator described Dr. Ashley’s gift for helping pets and their families feel safe in moments of fear and uncertainty, recalling a visit with a beloved senior dog named Bailey.
Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service (MVSES) in Louisville, Kentucky, this year’s U.S. East Team winner, was recognized in part for the remarkable story of Dolly, a one-year-old dog who survived devastating injuries after a multi-vehicle accident.
After panicking during the crash, Dolly fell an estimated 40 feet from an overpass and arrived at MVSES in critical condition. The emergency team treated her severe chest trauma immediately, but she soon stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. Thanks to the quick actions of Dr. Alex Broomell and the MVSES emergency team, Dolly was revived and, after several days in intensive care, returned home to her family.
For the MVSES team, Dolly’s recovery reflects the skill, teamwork, and unwavering commitment veterinary professionals bring to life’s most critical moments.
Since establishing Veterinary Appreciation Day in 2015, Trupanion has continued its goal of celebrating the veterinary community and shining a light on the often-unrecognized individuals who dedicate their lives to caring for pets and supporting the people who love them.
To learn more about Veterinary Appreciation Day and this year’s winners, visit vetappreciationday.trupanion.com.
