USAHA News
United States Animal Health Association
Contact:  Larry Mark - (703) 451-3954 - ldmark@erols.com


For immediate release:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AWARD PRESENTED TO DR. SAM HOLLAND

	MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. Oct. 15, 2006 – Dr. Sam Holland, South Dakota State Veterinarian, 
was honored by state regulatory officials during the opening joint general session of the 
United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) and the American Association of Veterinary 
Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD).  

	Dr. James Watson, Mississippi State Veterinarian and president of the National 
Assembly of State Animal Health Officials, presented this year’s National Assembly’s annual 
award to Dr. Holland, who was chosen for his outstanding contributions to U.S. animal health
in the regulatory field.  Dr. Holland, a 1971 graduate of the University Of Minnesota College 
Of Veterinary Medicine, spent his entire practice life on beef cattle and horses in South 
Dakota. In 1986 he was appointed Assistant State Veterinarian for the South Dakota Animal 
Industry Board.  He has served as State Veterinarian since March 1995.

        The Board, under Dr. Holland’s direction, has broad responsibilities over animal 
industries in the state, including animal health, marketing and dealer regulation, state meat 
inspection, importation of animals, non-domestic animal regulation, inhumane treatment laws, 
and a laboratory for surveillance for disease in slaughtered animals.  As State Veterinarian, 
Dr. Holland is responsible for preventing, eradicating and controlling animal and poultry 
diseases as well as maintaining awareness of disease threats to the animal industry of South Dakota.

        Dr. Holland also serves as Executive Secretary for the South Dakota Veterinary Medical 
Examining Board and has been involved with numerous state advisory groups as well as several 
national committees involving animal health issues and cooperative programs with various federal 
agencies.

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