Hartz® Announces the 2003 Hartz® "Veterinarian of the Year"
Dr. Shearer from Columbus , Ohio goes above and beyond for patients and community

Secaucus, NJ - FEBRUARY 2004 - The Hartz Mountain Corporation announces the winner of the 2003 Hartz ® "Veterinarian of the Year" Contest. Dr. Tami Shearer of the Shearer Pet Hospital in Columbus , Ohio was nominated by one of her patients and selected by Hartz ® to be the recipient of the 2003 Hartz ® Veterinarian of the Year award.

"Dr. Shearer has shown exceptional compassion and dedication to her patients as well as their owners. She not only devotes her time to her patients at the hospital, but also teaches the veterinarians of tomorrow." stated Bob Devine, President and CEO of The Hartz Mountain Corporation. "Hartz ® is proud to sponsor an award that recognizes a veterinarian's important role in pet healthcare."

Pet owners were asked to nominate vets who have excelled in the medical field as well as in their passion for nurturing animals. Pet owners were asked to describe how their veterinarians exemplify the human-animal bond with vet service and community/ volunteer programs. Approximately 300 heart-felt essays from pet owners across the country illustrate the continuous dedication of this group of professionals.

Following are excerpts from the Grand Prize Winning essay:

Dr. Tami Shearer, D.V.M - Shearer Pet Hospital
Nominated by Lisa Farina, Columbus , Ohio

"Tami Shearer, DVM does not wear a cape or flash a magic wand, but she does not need to. One visit to Shearer Pet Hospital in Columbus , Ohio is all it takes to understand that Dr. Shearer is a hero at heart. Dr. Shearer's intelligence and compassion are evident every time my silky terrier, Agnes and I see her. Agnes experiences anxiety when she needs to have a surgical procedure. Due to Agnes' anxiety, Dr. Shearer tries to schedule her as the first patient of the day so Agnes can be reunited with me sooner. Dr. Shearer has a special interest in learning noninvasive techniques to improve animal care. She offers laser surgery and therapy, endoscope and ultrasound. She has a gift for explaining technical information in simple terms and schedules long appointments so she can taker her time with pets and owners. Her goal is to educate adults and children to be compassionate caregivers. She has been teaching classes to the public for 10 years and offers a two-day Vet Camp for kids. At this camp, kids observe and assist Dr. Shearer at the hospital. She is founder of the Pet Education Center and the Pet Hospice and Education Center , one of the Midwest hospice centers for Pets.