ASPCA's Dr. Lila Miller Receives AVMA's Prestigious 2008 Animal Welfare Award

NEW YORK, July 22, 2008—The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is proud to announce that Dr. Lila Miller, Vice President of the National Veterinary Outreach Department at the ASPCA, has received the 2008 AVMA (Animal Veterinary Medical Association) Animal Welfare Award, to be presented at the Presidential Installation Luncheon during today’s 2008 AVMA Convention.

“Dr. Miller is a true pioneer in the area of shelter medicine,” says ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “We’re extremely honored to have someone with her knowledge and expertise at the ASPCA. She has our sincere congratulations on this most deserved achievement.”

Dr. Miller has been with the ASPCA since 1977 and also serves as a veterinary advisor. She has developed extensive written protocols for animal shelters and lectures worldwide on a variety of shelter-related topics.

The Animal Welfare Award is given annually to an AVMA member veterinarian who has advanced animal well-being, shown exemplary dedication to animal care, and contributed to the community and society. The award recognizes achievements in advancing the welfare of animals via leadership, public service, education, research/product development, and/or advocacy.

Recently, Dr. Miller developed a course at Cornell University with Dr. Jan Scarlett, on shelter medicine. This was the first such course in the country and started a trend at veterinary schools across the country. In recognition of her achievements, Dr. Miller was honored by both the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. At Cornell, she has been awarded Adjunct Assistant Professor status.

Dr. Miller is the co-founder of and past president of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV), as well as a board member of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians (AAHABV). In 2004, Dr. Miller was elected to the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME) by the American Association of Veterinary State Boards.