Zoetis Announces Recipients of Honoring Caregivers Award

Zoetis is honoring five exemplary pig caregivers for their contributions to the pork industry with the Honoring Caregivers Award. These recipients were selected from more than 130 nominations.

“We received many outstanding nominations for this year’s awards, and we are inspired by the tireless, dedicated work of pig caregivers,” said Gloria Basse, Vice President, U.S. Pork Business Unit, Zoetis. “In a tough year for the swine industry, it was great to hear stories of many devoted caregivers.”

The 2014 Honoring Caregivers award recipients are:

• Lance Dunbar: Dunbar is a senior production manager with Professional Swine Management in Carthage, Illinois. Dunbar is dedicated to following all treatment, biosecurity and animal handling procedures for the farms and pigs he oversees. He also is a Pork Quality Assurance (PQA) advisor who helps others learn about proper pig care.
• Amy Fogarty: Fogarty is a farrowing manager with Reicks View Farms in Lawler, Iowa, and leads the implementation of the farm’s animal welfare policy. Fogarty cares for other caregivers as well; she organized a community fundraiser to help a fellow caregiver fight cancer.
• Robin Franzen: Franzen, of Riceville, Iowa, is a caregiver at a wean-to-finish farm. Franzen is known for putting in extra time to nurse ill pigs back to health. Her attention to disease prevention and treatments has helped the farm reach 97% Grade A market pigs.
• Erin McCoy: McCoy is a grow-finish field supervisor with Pipestone® System in Pipestone, Minnesota. McCoy is known for filling in wherever she is needed to help care for pigs. She also serves as a mentor for those looking to learn more about swine care.
• Brenda Riemenschneider: Riemenschneider, of Afton, Iowa, is a farrowing manager with Iowa Select Farms. Riemenschneider started as an intern with Iowa Select Farms, and her dedication to pig care has helped her advance. She is noted for her positive attitude and strong work ethic that helps the pigs and other caregivers.

The five award recipients will be honored during a special reception in New York City this month. Each honoree also will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

An independent panel of judges evaluated the nominees based on their demonstration of commitment to the three pillars of superior pig care:

• Proper treatment — commitment to the responsible use of antibiotics to protect both animal and human health
• Proper disease prevention — commitment to maintaining proper biosecurity, hygiene and vaccination protocols to prevent disease
• Proper pig handling — commitment to proper pig handling techniques to ensure pig well-being

“The selection panel was very impressed with these five nominations, and we look forward to honoring them for going above and beyond in their care of pigs,” Basse said.