Dr. Rossi credits the amazing team at his practice, North Penn Animal Hospital in Landsdale, Pennsylvania as the reason he won the award. He told TODAY, “Veterinary medicine isn’t my profession — it’s my life. Everything we do revolves around animals. At our practice, with my employees, it’s the same way,” he said. “Animals are their lives.”

Westminster has donated $10,000 in the winning veterinarian’s name to MightyVet, a non-profit, industry-wide platform founded to support veterinary professionals tackling the issues of mental well-being and continuing education in the veterinary profession.

Rossi hopes the award and the donation to MightyVet help shine a light on the dedication of veterinarians to helping animals — and the challenges they face. “Every veterinarian I know out there is out to help the animals,” he said. “That’s our oath. We’re here for you and your animals.”

Read the award press release here.