On Friday, April 12th at the Raise the Woof Gala, Dr. Georgianne Ludwig was honored as the 2024 Veterinary Partner of the Year Award winner, Dr. Matthew Cornell accepted the award on her behalf.
Official Press Release from DuPage County Animal Services & DuPage Animal Friends:
DuPage County Animal Services, in partnership with DuPage Animal Friends, has launched a new annual acknowledgment program to recognize outstanding successes and advocacy on behalf of animals in DuPage County. By doing so, the organizations raise public awareness of the important role that veterinarians and other community members and organizations play in supporting the human-animal bond providing services to homeless pets or low-income pet owners, and advocating for animal welfare initiatives. We are honored to present Dr. Georgianne Ludwig of Lombard Veterinary Hospital with this award. She has demonstrated unwavering support for both shelter and owned animals. Dr. Ludwig has previously stepped in as Administrator for DuPage County Animal Services, Lombard Veterinary Hospital is a long-standing participant in the spay/neuter program, as well as providing boarding services to local police departments for found pets, and on numerous occasions, she has partnered with DuPage County to help an animal in need. Congratulations to Dr. Ludwig.
Dr. Georgianne Ludwig's Remarks on Receiving this Honor:
I have had a career-long passion for shelter medicine which began in veterinary school when I worked part-time at the Champaign County Humane Society. In 2005, I was named Interim Administrator of DuPage County Animal Care and Control, and was intimately involved with reviewing standards of care and hiring key staff who would replace me. I was then named Chair of the DuPage County Animal Care and Control Advisory Board whose purpose was to guide policies and create programs for DCACC, including the low-income spay/neuter program, which is still operating to serve pet-owning residents in need. In 2006, I was honored at the Annual AAHA Convention with the Nestle Purina Outstanding Pet-Care Award for my work with homeless animals in DuPage County. In January 2015, I was asked to serve again as DCACC Veterinarian while also helping to recruit the next county veterinarian.
I am honored and humbled to accept the 2024 Veterinary Partner of the Year Award. DuPage County Animal Services holds a very special place in my heart. From the time I first started helping out, what struck me most was how dedicated and professional every person I encountered was in the face of adversity. I have been lucky to have a front-row seat to the progress the shelter has made over my 20 years of involvement. Supported by the DuPage Animal Friends, I have watched the dream of a new shelter come to a reality with your recent groundbreaking. You will always have friends at Lombard Veterinary Hospital, and we can’t wait to see your new facility. Thanks for all you do to service animals and people in our community.
