Dr. John Steiner Award for Practitioner Excellence

The Society for Theriogenology created the Nandi Award for meritorious service in and promotion of Theriogenology. Nandi is the white bull which symbolizes purity and justice in Hindu art and serves as the symbol of fertility in India. It is a Brahman bull anointed with gold and silver jewelry and its association in Hindu art and scriptures can be traced to the Indus Valley Civilization where dairy farming was the most important occupation. There are a numerous temples in India dedicated solely to Nandi. In the late 1960’s Dr. Don F. Walker brought this symbol of fertility to the Society for Theriogenology. 

In January 2009 the Board voted to replace the Nandi award and make it available to a veterinary practitioner. This award is designated the Dr. John Steiner Award for Practitioner Excellence. It is the intent of this award to recognize veterinarians who epitomize the objectives of the Society to establish and promote standards of excellence, to disseminate emerging information to veterinarians and students, to serve as a global resource for scientific exchange, to foster client education and awareness, and to encourage a network of collegial exchange.  Nominations come from a member of the Executive Board and the award may or may not be given on an annual basis. On rare occasions, more than one person may receive the award in any given year. The award requires a unanimous vote by the Executive Board.  The award is presented at the annual Therio Conference in recognition of their exemplary leadership and promotion of Theriogenology.

2025 - Dr. Carol McLeod 

2024 - Dr. Jill Colloton

2023 - Dr. Isaac Bott

2022 - Dr. Paul Mennick

2021 - Dr. Michael Thompson

2020 - Dr. Marthina Greer

2019 - Dr. Pete Sheerin

2018 - Dr. Don Sanders

2017 - Dr. Anita Migday

2016 - Dr. John Myers

2015 - Dr. Clint Hilt 

2014 - Dr. Will Schultz 

2013 – Dr. Gary Warner

2012 – Dr. Tom Riddle

2011 – Dr. Cheryl Lopate

2010 – Dr. James Alexander

2009 – Dr. Walter Zent