Carson City vet nominated as America's best

When the Morris Animal Foundation decided to run a contest asking for nominations for "Thank Your Vet for a Healthy Pet," they weren't quite sure what was going to take place.

In the first-ever contest, the foundation received more than 1,000 nominations.

Thirty-three of those nominated are from Las Vegas, two are in Henderson, and one " Gary Ailes, DVM, at Sierra Veterinary Hospital in Carson City " was the lone nomination from Northern Nevada.

Ailes was nominated by Genevieve Frederick of Carson City, who has two dogs under Ailes' care.

"It's pretty neat, actually (being nominated)," said Ailes, adding he's never been nominated for such an award or honor, just given personal accolades from his clients.

"Thank you," is Ailes' message to Frederick. "We do the best job we can taking care of our patients and clients."

Ironically, Ailes is allergic to cats, so he primarily treats dogs.

The contest was sponsored by the Morris Animal Foundation, Merial Limited and Bow Tie Inc. The winners " four regional and one national " will be posted Tuesday on the foundation's Web site, www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org, on DogChannel.com and CatChannel.com, as well as highlighted in the December issues of Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy and Veterinary Practice and News.

"We got so many essays, we were very pleased," said Heidi Jeter, director of communications with the Morris Animal Foundation.

"There are so many veterinarians out there who go beyond their practice, go out of their way to help people with their pets " beyond vet care," Jeter said. "This is what we were looking for."

The national winner is James L. Cook, DVM, director of the Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory at the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Veterinary Medicine.

Ailes received a certificate of nomination from the Morris Animal Foundation.

Bio box

WHO: Gary Ailes, DVM

WHERE: Sierra Veterinary Hospital, Carson City

EDUCATION: Bachelor's and doctor of veterinary medicine degrees from Colorado State University; pre-veterinary schooling at University of Nebraska

BUSINESS: A 33-year partner and owner of Sierra Veterinary Hospital

MEMBER: American Animal Hospital Association; American Veterinary Medical Association; Nevada Veterinary Medical Association: California Veterinary Medical Association; Western Nevada Veterinary Medical Society; Veterinary Orthopedic Society and one of the founders as well as past president of the Association of Veterinary Orthopedics for Research and Education; current member of the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Also, active member of Carson City Rotary Club and past president; elected to Carson City School Board of Trustees in 1998.

PERSONAL: Married 32 years to Ruth; three grown children, two grandchildren

- Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.