On Oct. 30, Tokyo, Japan, will be the site of a celebration honoring Gen Kato, DVM, the first Japanese small-animal practitioner to receive the Hill's Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award.

Kato received the award during the 39th World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Congress held in Cape Town, South Africa, from Sept. 16-19.

The Excellence in Veterinary Healthcare Award, which has been presented annually since 2002, selects one recipient from veterinarians worldwide. According to WSAVA, the award "recognizes the outstanding work of veterinarians in promoting companion animal healthcare and the family pet/veterinary bond through a special sensitivity to both clients and patients using leading edge clinical nutrition and advanced medical and surgery techniques."

Kato, now over 80 years old, has already cemented his legacy with numerous contributions to veterinary medicine and the human-animal bond. But he continues to brighten the future of veterinary medicine by attending several conferences each year, educating new generations of veterinary students, authoring veterinary books, and more.

His lengthy list of achievements and contributions to veterinary medicine and the human-animal bond include:

• Graduating from Hokkaido University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1956.
• Opening Daktari Animal Hospital in Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan in 1964.
• Teaching at Kansas State University, California State University, Florida State University, and Colorado State University, where he is currently an affiliate faculty member.
• Translating more than 40 American veterinary books into Japanese and publishing them for the benefit of his country's veterinary professionals.
• Authoring books such as How to Take Care of Dogs, How to Take Care of Cats, Care for the Mind of the Elderly People, and Training Your Dogs by Praising.
• Founding the Japan Human Animal Nature Bond Society in 2000.
• Receiving the Award of Lifetime Achievement of Humane and Animal Welfare from Japan's Ministry of the Environment.

Learn more about Kato in the biography section of the Daktari Animal Hospital website.