Veterinarians, veterinary support staff, and hospital teams from across the United States and Canada have been recognized by Trupanion for their exceptional contributions to patient care, client support, and the veterinary profession.
- Trupanion announced 12 winners of its 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards.
- Winners were selected from nearly 2,000 nominations submitted across North America.
- Honorees include veterinarians, veterinary professionals, and practice teams in four regional categories.
- The 2026 campaign generated more than 86,000 public votes and nearly 110,000 social media shares.
- Awards recognize individuals and teams making a lasting impact on pets, clients, colleagues, and their communities.
Veterinary professionals and hospital teams from across North America have been recognized by Trupanion as winners of the company’s 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards, an annual program that celebrates excellence in veterinary medicine and client care.
According to Trupanion, this year’s program was the largest in the initiative’s history, attracting nearly 2,000 nominations and more than 86,000 public votes.
2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day Award Winners
United States West
- Veterinarian: Ashley McCaughan, DVM, Marina Village Veterinary and Holistic Care (Alameda, California)
- Veterinary Professional: Peggy Peterson, Receptionist, 24th Street Animal Clinic (Omaha, Nebraska)
- Team: VCA River City Animal Hospital (Post Falls, Idaho)
United States East
- Veterinarian: Jennifer Derby, DVM, River Road Animal Hospital (Southport, North Carolina)
- Veterinary Professional: Taylor Conley, RVT, Animal Care Clinic of North Canton (North Canton, Ohio)
- Team: Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service (Louisville, Kentucky)
Canada West
- Veterinarian: Taryn Cass, DVM, Uptown Animal Hospital (Salmon Arm, British Columbia)
- Veterinary Professional: Chantelle Best, VA, Wood Buffalo Small Animal Hospital (Fort McMurray, Alberta)
- Team: Boreal Veterinary Centre (Edmonton, Alberta)
Canada East
- Veterinarian: Lara Cohen, DVM, Clinique Vétérinaire De Hull (Gatineau, Quebec)
- Veterinary Professional: Caitlin Harrison, Client Care Specialist, Halifax Veterinary Hospital (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
- Team: Hometown Veterinary Hospital (Fredericton, New Brunswick)
Recognizing Excellence Across the Profession
Trupanion said the awards recognize veterinary professionals whose work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of pets, clients, colleagues, and local communities.
“Every pet parent remembers the people who were there during the moments that mattered most,” said Margi Tooth, president and CEO of Trupanion. “These awards honor those extraordinary individuals and teams.”
Among the honorees was Ashley McCaughan, DVM, who was recognized for her relationship-centered approach to veterinary care and her ability to help families navigate difficult medical decisions with empathy and compassion.
Metropolitan Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Service (MVSES), the U.S. East Team winner, was recognized for its role in saving a critically injured dog named Dolly after a severe multi-vehicle accident. Trupanion highlighted the team’s emergency response, intensive care efforts, and collaboration in helping the patient recover and return home.
Trupanion established Veterinary Appreciation Day in 2015 as a way to spotlight the often-unrecognized contributions of veterinary professionals and teams serving pets and their families.
Information sourced from Trupanion’s press release.
