AVMA announces 2023 Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) announced during its 2023 AVMA Convention that Amy Shojai, CABC, is the 2023 AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award. Established in 2022, this award honors achievements of an individual that contributed in positive visibility within the industry as well as increasing public awareness of important and diverse role of veterinary professionals.

"Amy’s tireless efforts in communicating accessible, engaging and informative resources about pet care and behavior have helped countless pet owners care for and connect with their animal companions,” said Lori Teller, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVJ, president of the AVMA, in an organizational release.¹ “Her work epitomizes the spirit of the Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award, and it's an honor to recognize her contributions to companion animal education and advocacy."

According to the release,¹ Shojai has written over 35 books and 4,000 articles and columns on behavior, training, veterinary care, and health benefits for cats and dogs. She serves as the Pet Editor for ReadersDigest.com and contributed to MarthaStewartliving.com, FearFreePets.com, HillsPets.com as well as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post.

Along with her writing accomplishments, Shojai co-founded the International Cat Writers’ Association to help create better quality feline-related information that the public can access. She is certified as a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, a Fear Free Trainer, and a member of the Dog Writers Association of America.

Shojai has received multiple awards throughout her career including the Texas VMA Mark Francis Award for Journalist Excellence, Winn Feline Foundation Media Appreciation Award, and the Friskies Writer of the Year Award.

“When I started working as a vet tech and fell in love with this profession, but I could not do what you veterinarians, but I could write about and so I started writing my personal experience stories to share with the readers out there. The people who were just as passionate about all of us but didn't know how to ask the veterinarians [or] to veterinarians didn't have time,” Shojai expressed to attendees at the award ceremony.

“You guys gave me my career and so I am honored to accept this award not only because it helps shine a light on what I've done for so many years, I can't believe you're still alive after all this time, but it also shines a light on the veterinary profession. Who are my true heroes because I can't do what you do,” she continued.

Reference

Amy Shojai receives AVMA Steve Dale Excellence in Veterinary Media Award. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association, July 15, 2023. Accessed July 17, 2023. https://www.avma.org/news/press-releases/amy-shojai-receives-avma-steve-dale-excellence-veterinary-media-award