American Humane Association appoints Dr. Lynn Anderson Director of Animal Protection Services

American Humane Association
Wednesday, 3 January 2001

The American Humane Association (AHA), the nation's oldest non-profit dedicated to animal and child protection, today announced it has appointed Lynn J. Anderson, D.V.M., M.S.W., Director of Animal Protection Services. Dr. Anderson, who joined the organization earlier this year as Director of the Human-Animal Interactions Department, will lead AHA's animal welfare and protection projects and programs based in its Denver, Colorado, headquarters. He will also continue to oversee AHA's work on the link between violence to people and animals.

"For over 123 years, the American Humane Association has worked to protect children and animals from violence, abuse and neglect," said Timothy M. O'Brien, President of AHA. "Lynn Anderson brings a vast wealth of experience to AHA that fits in very well with our mission. I am extremely pleased that Lynn will be heading up AHA's Animal Protection Services."

Dr. Anderson joined AHA earlier this year following 22 ½ years of active duty in the United States Army Veterinary Corps, where he retired as a Colonel. In the Army, he served in numerous positions of responsibility, including Adviser to the United States Army Surgeon General on Human-Animal Bond Issues. He received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Washington State University in 1978 and his Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Hawaii in 1983.

Dr. Anderson is a past president of the Delta Society and was a co-founder and inaugural president of the American Association of Human-Animal Bond Veterinarians where he continues to serve on their Board of Directors. While president of the Delta Society, Dr. Anderson was involved in the co-founding of the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations. He served on the American Veterinary Medical Association's Human-Animal Bond Committee, a portion of which he served as the chairman.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions, including: elected to the National Academies of Practice as a Distinguished Practitioner, 1997; recipient of the Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year for 1993; recipient of the United States Army Medical Department's Regimental Award of Excellence for 1994; and, recipient of the Legion of Merit (2 awards), the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Army Commendation Medal (2 Awards) and the Army Achievement Award.

For more information, or to contact American Humane Association, see their website at: www.americanhumane.org