Photo: Africa Images
Call for nominations
Nominations are now open for the 2026 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year. The independent Award Committee will select finalists this summer and the Awardee will be announced at the 47th Annual Conference of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
Shown here, Dr. Julia Ponder, the 2025 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year
Deadline: July 17, 2026
11:59 pm CDT (Chicago) (UTC -5)
Award criteria
The T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year is an outstanding practitioner that has advanced the quality of health care for companion and/or free-ranging birds. This Award is given annually, or at the committee’s discretion, to a veterinarian that is currently active in the field of avian medicine, either in clinical practice or academia. Important criteria for this Award include:
- Clinical excellence
- Innovation
- Promotion of the profession
- Significant contributions to the knowledge base
- Caring and compassion to their avian patients and clients
Download and share a PDF of the companion bird press release.
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Download and share a PDF of the zoo/wild bird press release.
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Past awardees
Visit Lafeber.com for a list of previous Award recipients.
About T.J. Lafeber
Dr. T.J. Lafeber was recognized as a pioneer in companion bird medicine and the human-companion bird bond. His concern for the health and welfare of his avian patients led him to develop medical treatments, diagnostic techniques, and nutritionally balanced foods. Dr. Lafeber’s lectures were infused with his caring demeanor and enthusiasm, inspiring students and veterinarians alike to advance the fledgling field of companion bird medicine. The Caring Hands Award statue (shown below) is a bronze cast of Dr. Lafeber’s hands and his most beloved avian patient, the budgerigar.
The Caring Hands Award statue statuette is a bronze cast of Dr. Lafeber’s hands and his most beloved avian patient, the budgerigar
Did you know?
- The T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year is nominated by their peers. The Awardee is not, and has never been, selected by Lafeber Company.
- All nominations are equally weighted. A veterinarian that has received multiple nominations does not have a higher chance of being selected as a finalist by the Award Committee than an individual with a single nomination.
- Once nominations close, the Award Committee narrows the field to a list of finalists.
- This autonomous committee consists of Association of Avian Veterinarians members and is led by Yvonne van Zeeland, DVM, MVR, PhD, DECZM.
- A Lafeber Company Veterinary Consultant, who does not vote on the Award recipient, manages Committee paperwork and scheduling only.
Questions or concerns
Contact the Award Committee administrator, Dr. Christal Pollock, with any questions or concerns.
Pollock CG. Call for nominations: T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year Award. June 8, 2026. LafeberVet website. Available at https://lafeber.com/vet/nominations/