Dr. Christopher Brown

EVS Pet Urgent Care of Niagara

It is with the utmost admiration and respect that we nominate Dr. Christopher Brown for the title of Kindest Veterinarian. As the Managing Veterinarian at EVS Pet Urgent Care of Niagara, Dr. Brown embodies the highest standards of veterinary excellence—but what truly sets him apart is his unwavering compassion, humility, and the depth of his service to both animals and people.

At EVS Pet Urgent Care, Dr. Brown leads with both heart and purpose. He is a tireless advocate for affordable and accessible urgent veterinary care, ensuring that every pet—regardless of their owner’s financial means—receives the attention and treatment they deserve. Under his guidance, EVS Niagara has become a beacon of hope for families who find themselves in the most stressful moments of pet illness or injury. His calm demeanor, gentle touch, and genuine empathy transform what could be a traumatic experience into one marked by kindness, clarity, and trust.

Beyond the clinic walls, Dr. Brown’s compassion knows no boundaries. He has opened his own home to animals in need, fostering dozens of pets—often of different species—at any given time. His home is a sanctuary where animals can recover, feel safe, and receive the love they need to heal. Whether it’s a fragile kitten needing round-the-clock bottle feeding, a senior dog who lost their family, or an exotic pet abandoned with nowhere to go, Dr. Brown welcomes them all with open arms and an open heart.

Dr. Brown’s commitment to service began long before his veterinary career. As a veteran of the United States Army, he served his country with honor and integrity. That same sense of duty now permeates his veterinary practice. He doesn’t just treat pets; he supports families, mentors veterinary staff, and uplifts his community every single day. He works long hours, never turns away a patient in crisis, and always ensures his team feels supported, heard, and inspired.

His kindness has not gone unnoticed by the community. EVS Pet Urgent Care of Niagara boasts a flawless 5-star Google rating, reflecting countless stories of gratitude from pet parents who found comfort and exceptional care under Dr. Brown’s leadership. These reviews speak not only to his medical skill, but to the sincere warmth and humanity with which he approaches every case.

Dr. Christopher Brown is not only a veterinarian—he is a healer, a protector, and a selfless servant to both animals and the people who love them. His life’s work is a testament to the power of kindness, and we can think of no one more deserving of this recognition.

For his unmatched compassion, dedication to affordable urgent care, service to his country, and a heart big enough to hold every species in need, I proudly nominate Dr. Christopher Brown as the Kindest Veterinarian.

Dr. Ronaldo Joey Vasquez

N. Figueroa Animal Hospital

It is with heartfelt enthusiasm and admiration that I nominate Dr. Ronaldo Joey Vasquez for the Kindest Veterinarian in the United States award. For over two decades, Dr. Vasquez has exemplified compassion, generosity, and service in the field of veterinary medicine—touching the lives of countless animals, their owners, and the communities he serves.

Dr. Vasquez’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. He has received numerous accolades for his charitable work and community service, including a prestigious commendation from the Mayor of Los Angeles and an award from the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association for his exceptional dedication to charitable and community-based veterinary care.

His commitment goes far beyond the walls of his clinic. Every month, Dr. Vasquez volunteers at free community pet clinics, providing vaccinations, deworming, and wellness care to pets whose families would otherwise not afford them. He frequently works with animal rescue organizations, offering low-cost—and often completely free—medical services to animals in desperate need of help.

Dr. Vasquez also spends nearly every weekend performing mobile spay and neuter surgeries in underserved communities. His focus on accessibility and outreach has made a tremendous difference in population control and the well-being of pets across Los Angeles and beyond. His high-volume surgical skills have taken him around the world—to Mexico, Fiji, Thailand, the Philippines, Turkey, and Japan—where he teaches advanced spay/neuter techniques to local veterinarians to help them serve their own communities more effectively.

His gentle manner and friendly personality have made him a beloved figure. He’s been featured in TV shows, commercials, and regularly speaks at local schools, educating children about the veterinary profession and the human-animal bond. He also mentors veterinary students, generously sharing his knowledge and experience with the next generation of professionals.

Despite his accomplishments and growing popularity—you only need to do a quick Google search to see how respected and loved he is—Dr. Vasquez remains deeply humble. He treats his staff like family, leads with kindness, and continues to prioritize service over status. His devotion to improving the lives of animals and people alike is the very definition of kindness.

When asked about his proudest achievement, he doesn’t mention the awards or accolades. With a proud smile, he simply says, “My wife Jennifer and my two kids, Tyler and Kaylie.”

Dr. Ronaldo Joey Vasquez is more than a skilled veterinarian—he is a tireless advocate, a mentor, a humanitarian, and a friend to both animals and people. He embodies what it means to be kind, and it is for these reasons and many more that I proudly nominate him for Kindest Veterinarian in the United States

Dr. Meghan Swayman

Eastown Veterinary Clinic

Dr. Swayman is driving a change for mental wellness in the veterinary community and has helped me become the leader I am today. Dr. Swayman firmly believes in BOUNDARIES – and as a DVM team lead this is vital. For example, she encourages her DVM’s to leave work on-time, even if this means saying “no” to double booking appointments. I have heard her say “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” Recently, one of our new grad DVMs was struggling with burnout. Dr. Swayman took the time to understand what was going on – validating this DVMs experience and encouraging her to ask for what she needed. Ultimately, this DVM needed her schedule rearranged to better support her mental wellness and work-life balance. Her priority in that moment was the well-being of her team member – it wasn’t about metrics, KPIs, or filling the books. Today this DVM is THRIVING and is so grateful for the empathy shown by Dr. Swayman during that time. Dr. Swayman truly values her DVMs for the amazing people they are, and helps them grow professionally and personally.

Additionally, she has been through Crucial Conversations training and demonstrates emotional intelligence in everything she does. She is honest and kind, and receptive to feedback. When a team member makes an error she approaches them with curiosity. She has said on multiple occasions “help me understand what you are thinking.”

She gives the same kindness to her patients! Dr. Swayman has a passion for behavior – and works alongside a veterinary behaviorist to provide fear free veterinary care for high FAS patients. She always says “there’s no such thing as a bad dog/cat” and encourages us to describe them as fearful/anxious/painful/etc. She has helped countless families navigate behavioral concerns with their pets – and brings a sense of calm and hope (which can be a game changer for a family who’s dog has just bitten somebody for the first time!)

I will never forget experiencing her knowledge and passion from the perspective of a client. One of my own dogs became ill suddenly. As a newly single mother I was struggling to make ends meet and had financial constraints. She worked with me to find a treatment plan that met my financial limitations but still provided the best care for my dog. Ultimately, my dog took a turn and needed to be euthanized. I will never forget how she supported this decision. She told me I was a good mom, and did everything right by my dog. I could see her tearing up – and knew that she truly cared.

Lastly, she believes everyone is “good inside” and frequently states “you are a good person going through a rough time.” She sees the good intentions behind peoples actions.

There are so many more reasons why she should be awarded the “Kindest Veterinarian in America.” Dr. Swayman is an absolute GEM and truly changing mental wellness in the veterinary field.