Nancy Kay, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM; Mitsie Vargas, DVM, and Michael Grguric, DVM, accepted awards at the national meeting.

Kay landed the Hill's Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award for advancing animal welfare through extraordinary service and furthering humane principles, education and understanding. She owns the Animal Care Center of Sonoma County in Rohnert Park, Calif.

Vargas received the Nestle Purina Petcare Award for outstanding efforts to positively influence the lives of animals and people. Vargas is with the Orchid Springs Animal Hospital in Winter Haven, Fla.

Grguric reeled in the AAHA-Pfizer Leadership Award by "demonstrating commitment to and leadership in the veterinary and community," the association reports.