Trupanion Launches 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day® Awards with New Team Excellence Category

Trupanion calls for nominations to honor the 'everyday heroes'—from veterinarians to support staff—providing exceptional care for North America's pets.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:00pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a carefully arranged set of premium medical instruments, including a stethoscope, surgical scissors, and a veterinary thermometer, against a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the precision and care required in veterinary medicine.Trupanion's annual Veterinary Appreciation Day® Awards honor the dedication and expertise of veterinary professionals who work tirelessly to keep our beloved pets healthy.Seattle Today

Trupanion, the leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America, is proud to announce that nominations are officially open for its annual Veterinary Appreciation Day® Awards. These annual awards serve as a heartfelt tribute to the veterinary community, recognizing the dedication and invaluable contributions each veterinary professional makes to the lives of pets and their families. In response to popular demand and the understanding that it takes every hand in the clinic to provide exceptional care, Trupanion has introduced a new category this year: Veterinary Team of the Year.

Why it matters

Trupanion created these awards to ensure the tireless efforts of veterinary professionals are seen and celebrated. The company understands the commitment required to keep pets healthy, with many employees coming from the veterinary community themselves. The new 'Team of the Year' category recognizes that exceptional pet care requires a dedicated and unified clinic, from the reception desk to the surgical suite.

The details

The 2026 Veterinary Appreciation Day® Awards will feature three categories: Veterinarian of the Year, Veterinary Professional of the Year, and the new Veterinary Team of the Year. Nominations are open from April 16 to May 7, with public voting from May 12 to May 26. Winners will be announced on Veterinary Appreciation Day, June 18, 2026. There is no limit to the number of professionals or teams that can be nominated.

  • Nominations open on April 16, 2026 at 9:00 AM PT.
  • Nominations close on May 7, 2026.
  • Public voting takes place from May 12 to May 26, 2026.
  • Winners will be announced on Veterinary Appreciation Day, June 18, 2026.

The players

Trupanion

The leading provider of medical insurance for cats and dogs in North America, with over 1,000,000 pets currently enrolled.

Margi Tooth

President and CEO at Trupanion.

Dr. Steve Weinrauch

Trupanion's Chief Veterinary/Product Officer.

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What they’re saying

“Many of us at Trupanion come from the veterinary community, so we understand the tireless commitment required to keep our beloved pets healthy. We created these awards to make sure those efforts are seen and celebrated. This year, we're especially proud to debut the 'Team of the Year' category, recognizing that it takes a dedicated and unified clinic—from the reception desk to the surgical suite—to provide the exceptional care pets and their families deserve.”

— Margi Tooth, President and CEO at Trupanion

“Veterinary professionals consistently put the needs of pets and their families first. The Veterinary Appreciation Day Awards are our opportunity to step back and applaud the quiet heroics that happen in clinics every day. By shining a light on these achievements, we honor the work that keeps our pets healthy and families whole.”

— Dr. Steve Weinrauch, Trupanion's Chief Veterinary/Product Officer

What’s next

After the nomination period closes on May 7, a showcase of contenders will be presented for public voting from May 12 to May 26. Regional winners will be selected across the U.S. and Canada, and the winners will be officially announced on Veterinary Appreciation Day, June 18, 2026.

The takeaway

Trupanion's Veterinary Appreciation Day® Awards aim to recognize the dedication and invaluable contributions of veterinary professionals, from veterinarians to support staff, who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care for pets and their families. The new 'Team of the Year' category underscores the collaborative effort required to deliver the highest standard of care in veterinary clinics.