The Westminster Kennel Club To Open Nominations For 2026 Veterinarian Of The Year Award On World Veterinary Day

In recognition of World Veterinary Day taking place on April 25, The Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) will open nominations for the 2026 Westminster Veterinarian of the Year Award presented by Purina Pro Plan Veterinary at westminsterkennelclub.org. WKC will celebrate the fifth anniversary of its Veterinarian of the Year(VOTY) initiative which honors the dedicated veterinarians who make a difference in our pets’ lives, while offering support for challenges these professionals face within the field of veterinary medicine. New this year, fans will be invited to vote for their favorite hometown veterinarian.

The call for nominations will be open from April 25—May 21, 2026. Four regional finalists, based on the public nominations, will be selected by an esteemed committee of WKC experts and previous VOTY award winners. Fan voting for the four finalists will take place June 7—10, 2026 on westminsterkennelclub.org.

The 2026 Westminster Veterinarian of the Year will be honored throughout the year and receive a $10,000 donation in their name to a Pro Plan Veterinary Support Mission partner.

“For over 150 years, The Westminster Kennel Club has centered itself around a tradition of caring in order to create a better world for dogs, and we simply cannot do that without the dedication and support of the veterinary community,”said Dr. Donald Sturz, President of The Westminster Kennel Club. “We are filled with pride to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Westminster Veterinarian of the Year Award, and with the partnership of our friends at Pro Plan Veterinary, raise even more awareness and support for our veterinarian heroes.”

The annual VOTY award is an initiative of Westminster Cares, the Club’s charitable program that supports breed education, canine health, breed rescue, canine companionship, and dog sports participation. These activities help fulfill Westminster’s core mission to celebrate the companionship of dogs while promoting responsible dog ownership, health, and breed preservation.

The 2025 VOTY competition saw over 300 nominations from all over the U.S., resulting in naming Dr. Sara K. Lyle of Baton Rouge, Louisiana the recipient of the fourth annual Westminster Veterinarian of the Year Award. Dr. Lyle was selected by an expert veterinary judging panel for her excellence, dedication, and values in animal care and advocacy.

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