The Idaho Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) awarded WestVet’s Dr. Hazel Carney the prestigious honor as she was named the 2014 44th Idaho Veterinarian of the Year.

WestVet is pleased to announce that Dr. Hazel C. Carney, Feline Medicine and Behaviorist, received the 44th IVMA Veterinarian of the Year Award in Post Falls last week. The award was given in recognition of Dr. Carney’s lifetime of contributions to the veterinary profession.

Dr. Carney, DVM, MS, DABVP, has served families in the Treasure Valley as well as Ontario, Oregon for the past nineteen years. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1981 from Colorado State University. In addition, she also holds a Master’s degree in Physiology and Biophysics.

In 1982, she opened the thirteenth registered cat-only practice in the U.S. serving as senior clinician. Then, in 1986, she became an adjunct professor of the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and a founding member of Louisiana Veterinary Nuclear Medicine group. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners(ABVP) and is a specialist in Canine and Feline Clinical Practice.

Dr. Carney’s impact on feline veterinary practice has been profound. She has been treating hyperthyroidism in cats with I–131 (radioactive iodine) therapy for more than 25 years. She serves as Chair of the Guidelines Committee of the American Association of Feline Practitioners and is a co-author of several Guidelines publications that establish best practices for feline nursing care, creating a healthy environment, handling of cats during veterinary visits and management of feline house soiling behavior.

She has published numerous articles in both professional textbooks and veterinary journals, as well as in magazines geared toward cat owners. She and her husband, James J. England, DVM, PhD, met in veterinary school and have been married for 33 years. Dr. England is a professor of Production Animal Veterinary Medicine at the Caine Veterinary Teaching Center in Caldwell. The two have collaborated on research together and diagnosed the first reported case of the wart virus in cats. They have an adult daughter who also works in the animal production field, currently raising natural Hereford cattle.

In her spare time, Dr. Carney volunteers in 4-H projects, is an animal judge at county fairs, co-ordinates the grand entry at the Gem-Boise County Rodeo, helps with the rodeo queen contest and works with her church as a member of its governing body.

Dr. Carney is a well-deserving candidate for this honor and WestVet is pleased to offer her services to the families in the Treasure Valley.

The Idaho Veterinarian of the Year is the highest award given by the IVMA. It symbolizes a career of achievement and dedication to the profession, Idaho citizens, and their animals. Candidates are nominated by the regional associations, past recipients vote for the colleague they recognize as exceptionally involved and deserving.

Qualifications for the recipient include:

• currently an Idaho licensed Veterinarian
• must have been an active IVMA member for the ten years immediately preceding nomination
• recognized as an outstanding veterinarian by his or her colleagues in the veterinary community.

In addition, the award is given in recognition of at least one of the following criteria:

• an accumulation of accomplishments to veterinary medicine over a period of several years
• a single outstanding identifiable contribution to veterinary medicine within the preceding five years
• outstanding expertise within a specific branch of veterinary medicine as recognized by his or her peers.
• an outstanding contribution to society outside the field of veterinary medicine

The Idaho Veterinary Medical Association is a professional association comprised of veterinarians who show an active interest in improving the well-being of Idaho’s animals and veterinary profession. 

Comprised of four regional organizations, the IVMA provides continuing education and social functions, bringing Idaho veterinarians together across the state.

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