Board-certified veterinary surgeon receives philanthropy award

Dominic J. Marino, DVM, DACVS, was awarded the ACVS Foundation Lynn Wheaton Philanthropy Award from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). According to a release from the ACVS, this inaugural award recognizes ACVS Diplomates who demonstrate intentional and altruistic social responsibility through their work with their community, an association, or other nonprofit organizations.¹ Recipients contribute their time and skills to enhance the well-being of both people and animals, demonstrating a generous spirit and a commitment to civic responsibility.

Dr Marino is currently the chief of staff at Long Island Veterinary Specialists in Plainview, New York. According to the release, Marino has served his community with a multitude of volunteerisms, accomplishments, affiliations, and accolades. He is a New York State emergency medical technician and in 2009, he was awarded Certificates of Meritorious Service for “risking life in service to fellow man” from the Police Surgeons Benevolent Foundation and for “placing himself in harm’s way” from the Fraternal Order of Police in NY for his actions following a vehicular accident.¹

Dr Marino's father: Leonard J. Marino, MD, FAAP, LVT, (left) and Dominic J. Marino, DVM, DACVS (right) at the award ceremony.

Marino shared his reaction to receiving the award with dvm360, stating: "I did not know Dr Lynn Wheaton but I honored to receive this award in her name. From what I read about her is that she was not only a trailblazer, being the first female ACVS Diplomate, but she had a tremendous impact on those around her: her classmates, her friends and colleagues, and most importantly I read how she impacted those that didn’t know her, not only because of what she had accomplished but how she carried herself as a role model. It is quite an honor to receive this award in her name and am very grateful the mentors I have had over the years. Each has not only taught me surgery but has shared with me their own life experiences that not only helped make me a better surgeon but a better person too."

Michael E. Bergman, Esquire, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Foundation Board Member said, “Bringing honor and distinction to the veterinary profession is without question the common thread of his personal life and professional career.”¹

On September 11, 2001, Marino was one of the first veterinary responders to the World Trade Center. From that tragic day, he was then motivated to improve the health care and treatment of police dogs. He donates his time to train first responders on how to save the lives of their canine partners and his training programs are mandatory in many law enforcement agencies. In 2021, Marino accepted a commission as a major in the United States Army to expand his training to military personnel.¹

Overall, Marino has played a pivotal role in formulating medical guidelines for multiple jurisdictions, extending his expertise to police, fire departments, and airports. He has worked with K9 training for both the FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

"I work with many young veterinarians and even high school and college students wanting to join our profession and we talk quite a bit about the challenges and stresses of our profession. Those challenges are quite real and not to be ignored, but so are the truly amazing things we get to do and see in this profession.

"I try to teach them to use the great aspects of our profession, the fact that we make paralyzed dogs walk, we make blind dogs see, we help dogs with cancer live longer, to immunize ourselves from some of the stresses we face. So at the end of each day, each of us leaves with just enough satisfaction and happiness that we can share some of that joy with our families and friends and have just enough left over for us to want to get up and do it all again the next day.

"I love being a veterinarian and I thank my parents for being the first and most important role models to me," Marino said.

Reference

Long Island Veterinary Specialists’ Chief of Staff & Board-Certified Surgeon Receives Inaugural Philanthropy Award. News release. Ethos Veterinary Health. December 11, 2023. Accessed December 13, 2023.