News Releases

A University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine faculty member has received the USDA’s highest honor, the Secretary’s Honor Award. Dr. Sarel Van Amstel was honored for his collaboration with the University of Florida and the Master Hoof Care Technician Program Team. The Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) nominated Dr. Van Amstel and the team for outstanding innovation in animal health by initiating the hoof care technician program, the nation’s first dairy animal foot care training program for dairy employees.

Dr. Van Amstel is an associate professor in internal medicine in the Large Animal Clinical Sciences Department at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. He’s been at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine since 1996. He is double boarded by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (food animal). Dr. Van Amstel’s primary interest is in dairy cattle medicine and surgery and bovine lameness.

Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman presented the 57th Secretary’s Honor Awards to two individuals and six groups.

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Contact: Sandra Harbison, 865/974-5745 or 865/660-0255, sharbiso@utk.edu