Hartz Names Hurricane Relief Volunteer 'Veterinarian of the Year'.

SECAUCUS, N.J. -- Dr. Michael Reinhart, a passionate hurricane relief volunteer, has been named Veterinarian of the Year for 2006 by The Hartz(R) Mountain Corporation.

Hartz(R) created its "Veterinarian of the Year" program in 2001 to honor veterinarians who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to patients, their families and to their communities.

Dr. Reinhart balances his community outreach efforts while running his veterinary medicine practice at the Jacaranda Animal Hospital in Venice, Florida, which he opened 20 years ago. A graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Reinhart is also heavily involved in youth and educational programs in his area, routinely speaking to children at local schools about the veterinary profession and animal care and encouraging students to shadow him in his clinic.

Dr. Reinhart's relief efforts began during Hurricane Charley, one of the most destructive and devastating hurricanes to ever hit the US. His home of Southwest Florida has been hit with 9 storms in the past 14 months. Dr. Reinhart and his staff mobilized immediately after the storm. Driving into total devastation, they began to pull out people and their animals trapped in their homes. Within 24 hours, he helped set up a mobile, round-the-clock clinic to treat the animals that had been lost or injured during the storm.

After Charley, Dr. Reinhart spent three weeks in the hurricane-damaged area providing veterinary services and working with thousands of local volunteers to help area residents find lost pets, adopt orphaned ones and to begin putting their lives back together.

"Dr. Reinhart's dedication to his profession and his community has touched the lives of many in their hour of need," said Dr. Albert Ahn, Vice President of Communications at Hartz(R). "He is an example to us all of how we should react in times of crisis -- to help those in need get back on their feet in any way we can."

Hartz(R) has an ongoing commitment to animal disaster preparedness through its "Vet Pals(TM)" program and other initiatives. Hartz(R) Vet Pals(TM) are plush dog toys wearing veterinary scrubs with the logo of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), which supports programs that aid animals endangered by natural and manmade disasters. A portion of the proceeds from each Hartz(R) Vet Pal(TM) sold is donated to the AVMF. As 2006 Veterinarian of the year, Dr. Reinhart will work with Hartz(R) on disaster preparedness initiatives.

Dr. Reinhart was nominated for the award by Deborah Whitman, a longtime client who praised not only his diagnostic and surgical abilities, but also his dedication to his patients and community.

This year, Hartz(R) received nearly 1,000 nominations from individuals seeking recognition for their veterinarian's outstanding contributions. Applicants are asked to describe their reasons for nominating their veterinarian. The nominated veterinarians are then asked to respond to a series of questions about their clinical experiences, volunteer work, and their definition of the human-animal bond. Dr. Reinhart will receive a grand prize of $5,000.

The runners up were Dr. James Zgoda of the Otterkill Animal Hospital in Campbell Hall, NY and Dr. Ava Frick of the Animal Fitness Center in Union, Missouri.

Dr. Zgoda, a graduate of Cornell University, volunteers at a no-kill sanctuary that houses homeless, retired and special needs animals. His mission is to not just save the lives of companion animals, but to ensure the best possible quality of life for them. Dr. Zgoda is known for going beyond the medical needs of his patients to also caring for their emotional well being.

Dr. Frick moved out of traditional practice eight years ago and into the field of animal rehabilitation. For the past several years, Dr. Frick, a graduate of the University of Missouri, has been making a difference in the lives of seriously injured and disabled animals. Dr. Frick's holistic approach to therapy draws patients from all across the US. She is the only licensed animal chiropractor in the state of Missouri, and her innovative facility provides a variety of treatments including nutritional support, massage, hydrotherapy, and ultrasound to help heal animals following illness, injury or surgery. Dr. Frick has been involved in a number of community outreach programs including reviving the Franklin County Humane Society of Missouri.

Drs. Zgoda and Frick will each receive a $2,500 prize.

The Hartz(R) Mountain Corporation is the leading manufacturer and marketer of pet care products in the United States and Canada. For 79 years Hartz(R) has provided pet owners with the highest quality products -- innovative solutions developed with proven science and love for companion animals. The company offers more than 1500 products for dogs, cats, birds, small animals, reptiles and fish, each dedicated to the health and well-being of household pets. The Hartz(R) Mountain Corporation is owned by Sumitomo Corporation of America (SCOA), together with its parent, Sumitomo Corporation, Japan (SC), an integrated global trading company. For more information please visit www.hartz.com.