October 25, 2011–The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is proud to announce that Dr. Garth Lamb of Las Vegas, Nev., is the winner of the 2011 ?PRCA Veterinarian of the Year Award? presented by Purina. He will be recognized at the PRCA Awards Banquet on Nov. 30 at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and also on Dec. 3 at the 53rd Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Dr. Lamb is a 1972 graduate of Colorado State University Veterinary School (Fort Collins) and attended Dixie State College of Utah (St. George), where he was a member of the rodeo team. He began practicing veterinary medicine in 1975 in Las Vegas and founded Desert Pines Equine Center in 1998, where he serves at the Head Veterinarian. He is certified to practice in Nevada, California, Utah and Colorado. His immediate family includes his wife, Shari, a United States Equestrian Federation official, and his two grown daughters, Brooke and Whitney.
Dr. Lamb has served as the Official Veterinarian for the Wrangler NFR as a volunteer since the event moved to Las Vegas in 1985. Additionally, he has served as the rodeo veterinarian for the Helldorado Days and the Senior Pro Rodeo in Las Vegas. Dr. Lamb is an important member of the team in Las Vegas, overseeing the health needs of the top bucking stock and timed-event animal athletes that are such an integral part of the Wrangler NFR. He has recruited a team of veterinarians that know the sport of rodeo and are dedicated to the welfare of rodeo livestock. Dr. Lamb has assisted the sport of rodeo and the Wrangler NFR by sharing with the media the facts about the health and welfare of rodeo animals. As a former rodeo competitor he understands horses and what they are expected to do at the elite level of rodeo competition.
Dr. Charles Graham, DVM, wrote in his letter of recommendation for Dr. Lamb, ?To my knowledge there is no other veterinarian that knows as much about rodeo animals as Dr. Lamb.? NFR team roping qualifier Jay Adams of Logandale, Nev., stated, ?I believe Dr. Garth Lamb to be one of the greatest veterinarians myself and my family has ever known. He truly cares about the equine athletes and is passionate about preparing them to perform beyond and above what you may think is possible.? Michael Gaughan, Chairman of Las Vegas Events stated, ?Since 1985, when the NFR first came to Las Vegas, Dr. Lamb has unselfishly donated his time to this rodeo. We at Las Vegas Events are very thankful for his devotion to the National Finals Rodeo and its livestock.?
?Dr. Lamb truly understands the rodeo industry and always has the welfare of the animal in mind,? said Wrangler NFR General Manager Shawn Davis. ?He is a great asset to the Wrangler NFR and I trust in his ability and decision making. The entire Lamb family has always supported rodeo and it is a great honor for Dr. Lamb to be recognized with the PRCA Vet of the Year Award.?