Award Winners

2023 Zaslow Distinguished Service Award Winner
Dr. Kate Hopper

Kate is a Professor of Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care at the University of California, Davis. She graduated from the University of Melbourne and completed residencies in emergency and critical care at both the University of Melbourne and UC Davis. Kate also completed a PhD in acid base physiology at UC Davis. Her current research interests include cardiopulmonary resuscitation, clinical acid base and electrolyte disorders and mechanical ventilation. Kate is a co-editor of the textbooks Small Animal Critical Care Medicine and Small Animal Emergency Medicine.

Please join the VECCS Board of Directors in a warm and whole-hearted congratulations to Dr. Hopper.

Thank you for your years of dedication and service to VECCS!

Learn More about the Zaslow Distinguished Service Award ⟶

2022 Gary L. Stamp Award Winner
Dr. Elke Rudloff

Dr. Rudloff is a 1991 graduate of Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. She worked as an emergency and critical care specialist, supervising/mentoring over 30 ACVECC Diplomates since 1995, and is currently a Hospice Veterinarian with BluePearl Pet Hospice. She is certified in veterinary medical acupuncture and is certified as an instructor in RECOVER CPR. She now focuses on pain management, senior care and hospice/palliative care for small animals. She is a Master Gardener Volunteer and novice fly-fisher.

Please join the VECCS Board of Directors in a warm and whole-hearted congratulations to Dr. Rudloff.

Thank you for your years of dedication and service to VECCS!

Learn More about the Gary L. Stamp Award ⟶

2022 Practice Leader of the Year Award Winner
Kevin Squires

I joined the Pet Emergency Clinic & Referral Center team in April 2018. Prior to joining the veterinary industry, I worked in the human side of healthcare for 5 years in Human Resources and Operation Management. Before working in human healthcare, I spent the previous 20 years in the Hospitality Industry.

I grew up in the Big Sky State of Montana and now resides in Spokane WA. I graduated in 1998 with a B.S in Business Management from Montana State University located in Bozeman, MT. I had a career ending injury 10 years ago which led to a series of back surgeries for which I was told I would never walk again. To keep my mind sharp during recovery from the surgeries, I decided to pursue my Master’s in Business Administration at the University of Montana in Missoula MT. I overcame the doctor’s diagnosis and recovered 110% and walked down the aisle to receive my MBA degree 2.5 years later.

I came on board at Pet Emergency at a very critical time when the company was struggling financially and close to a potential corporate sale. The corporate sale did not happen as planned, so I worked closely with the Board of Directors, and we acted quickly to make some major changes to save the company.

I am proud to say, in the 4 exciting years I have been here, we have completely turned the company around by expanding our services, building an incredible team, created an amazing family, and in the last two years we have seen some of the most profitable years our company has had in its 45 years of existence.  I hope to continue moving the clinic in a direction of great customer service, exceptional medicine, and a sustainable culture for ER and Specialty DVMs and support staff to thrive in an industry that seems to be stressing their greatest assets to the limit.

Like most others in this industry, I have a passion for saving animals and currently have 5 dogs and 2 cats and I continue telling myself I do not have room for more.

Please join the VECCS Board of Directors in a warm and whole-hearted congratulations to Kevin.

Thank you for your years of dedication and service to VECCS!

Learn More about the Practice Leader of the Year Award ⟶