MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, medical and animal health practitioners, announced today that Dr. Annelize Roos is the recipient of the second annual Henry Schein Cares International Veterinary Community Service Award. The award was presented at the recent Gala Dinner of the 39(th) World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress (WSAVA 2014) in Cape Town, South Africa. Henry Schein Cares is the global corporate responsibility program of Henry Schein.

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The Henry Schein Cares International Veterinary Community Service Award honors exceptional acts of valor and commitment by veterinarians in the face of adversity. Dr. Roos was honored for her service to animal health and welfare in South Africa and other regions of the world as Director of the South African Veterinary Association Community Veterinary Clinics (SAVA-CVC), a non-profit organization established by the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA), and Principal of EnviroVet CVC, a satellite community veterinary clinic of the SAVA-CVC. Dr. Nigel Nichols, Chief Executive Officer, Provet Group, Henry Schein's Animal Health Business in Australia and New Zealand, presented the award to Dr. Roos, which included a check for $10,000 for donation to the SAVA-CVC.

"Provet is proud to continue the tradition of spotlighting health professionals who make extraordinary contributions to society's pets with the Henry Schein Cares International Veterinary Community Service Award, and Dr. Roos truly exemplifies the best of what a veterinarian can be," said Dr. Nichols. "The World Small Animal Veterinary Association's Congress is a world stage for honoring remarkable people like Dr. Roos. By ensuring the safety and health of both pets and people, Dr. Roos has championed socially transformational care through her great work, and it is with pleasure we recognize her dedication."

Dr. Roos' was recognized for her efforts in developing sustainable animal health care programs for indigenous, indigent communities with underserved pets, and for advancing the One Health concept. The One Health concept is the force behind a worldwide movement, known as the One Health Initiative. The Initiative works to expand interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. One Health is particularly important in the control of zoonotic diseases and is one of the key initiatives of the WSAVA. Of these diseases, Rabies and more recently Ebola, are highly fatal diseases. One Health will be vital in their control, according to Professor Lucille Blumberg, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Communicable Disease of South Africa, in her address as recipient of the WSAVA Global One Health Award.

"I truly am honored to receive this award on behalf of the SAVA-CVC," said Dr. Roos. "There are many indigenous communities throughout the world without ready access to veterinary services. The SAVA-CVC's work has made great strides in helping provide compassionate care to pets in isolated settlements and townships and educating their owners, which improves the quality of human-animal relationships. We thank Henry Schein Cares for supporting our organization, as we work to create safer, healthier lives for pets and their owners."

The Henry Schein Cares International Veterinary Community Service Award was created in 2013 by Dr. Nichols, and Dr. John Maclachlan, a member of Provet's Advisory Board and Past President of the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA). Henry Schein recognizes the WSAVA annual conference as a particularly appropriate venue to present this award and is grateful to the WSAVA for providing the opportunity. Henry Schein Cares and WSAVA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue this initiative for a minimum of three additional years.

In addition to its Animal Health business in Australia and New Zealand, Henry Schein serves veterinary customers in the United States and 12 countries across Europe, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Henry Schein's Global Animal Health business has annual sales of more than $2.5 billion.

About the SAVA-CVC

The 1st SAVA Community Veterinary Clinic was established in 1998 in Port Elizabeth, in an attempt to provide the disadvantaged with subsidized veterinary services. In April 2002 the SAVA took over the co-ordination of the project and the initiative was launched nation-wide, involving all SAVA members. Veterinarians donate their professional time and utilize their existing infrastructure and facilities to bring veterinary services to the disadvantaged.

The objectives of this important initiative include providing access to the essential services of vaccination, parasite control and sterilization, teaching responsible pet ownership, educating pet owners about the basic care of their pets; reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases, and creating awareness of career opportunities in the veterinary field to disadvantaged communities.

About Provet

Provet is Australasia's largest distributor of veterinary products. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, Provet is a full-service veterinary distributor and service provider, including pharmaceuticals, pet nutrition products, consumables, instruments and equipment, and training and software. The Company is focused on veterinary practices and operates four core businesses: veterinary product wholesaling; sales, support and development of practice management software; consulting, education and training services; and online business activities.

About Henry Schein Cares

Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein's global corporate social responsibility program, stands on four pillars: engaging Team Schein Members to reach their potential, ensuring accountability by extending ethical business practices to all levels within Henry Schein, promoting environmental sustainability, and expanding access to health care for underserved and at-risk communities around the world. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief. Firmly rooted in a deep commitment to social responsibility and the concept of enlightened self-interest championed by Benjamin Franklin, the philosophy behind Henry Schein Cares is a vision of "doing well by doing good." Through the work of Henry Schein Cares to enhance access to care for those in need, the Company believes that it is furthering its long-term success.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index, Henry Schein employs more than 17,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than 800,000 customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 96,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 110,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 27 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $9.6 billion in 2013, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com.

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