Action for Animals started issuing the Nila Purvis Animal Helper of the Year Award in 1987. The recipients of this award were nominated due to their outstanding work helping animals and serving the community. These recipients either nominated by the general public through a letter to the board or the board members themselves have chosen the recipients.
*This award given posthumously
This award was enacted in 1995 in honor of Charles Anderson, DVM. It is awarded to pet professionals who dedicate their life work to helping animals. He was given a plaque and a tree was planted in his name.
1996 - Cynthia Reason
1997 - John Boyce, DVM (Boyce Animal Hospital)
1998 - Mike Graves, DVM (Care Animal Hospital)
1999 - Mary Sachtleben, DVM (Animal House Calls)
2000 - Eldon Cook, Jr. and PetSmart of Muncie
2001 - Ken Stites, DVM and Terry Stevens, DVM (Parker City Vet Clinic)
2002 - Muncie Obedience Training Club (MOTC)
2003 - Helping Animals Receive Mercy (HARM) Taskforce (Lisa Rich and Rebekah Carr) and Animal Medical Center
2004 - David Grasso, DVM and Lisa Grasso, DVM (Albany Vet Clinic)
2005 - Teresa Calvert, DVM and Debora Sayre, DVM (Westview Animal Clinic)
2008 - Allisonville Animal Hospital and Feral Bureau and Indiana
2009 - Animal Medical Center (Doctors and Staff)
2010 - Parker Vet Clinic (Doctors and Staff)