The Club Animalia student organization at Hope College has received the national “Outstanding Community Service Award” from the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) for the second consecutive year.

The award was presented during the association’s 2014 Annual Symposium, held on Friday-Sunday, March 21-23, at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.

The APVMA consists of nearly 100 institutions from around North America, only four of which are liberal arts colleges.  Approximately 400 students from more than 60 colleges and universities attended the symposium.

The club also received the award during the March 2013 symposium.

Club Animalia works to promote the human-animal bond on campus and throughout the greater Holland area, and to provide services to students in order to increase awareness and stimulate interest in careers related to animal care.  The group also provides voluntary services to those who work for the betterment of animals.  Club Animalia has about 20 active members, and hosts the college’s pre-veterinary students as well as many students interested in education and community service.

Club Animalia’s activities include a “Zoo 2 You” program through which members bring animals from the college’s Animal Museum to local elementary schools to teach about the natural history and life of wild animals; a year-long veterinary science program through Ottawa County 4H that teaches middle school and high school students about animal husbandry and well-being, and veterinary medicine and careers; organizing “Finals Stress Release” on campus with therapy dogs; volunteering with the Harbor Humane Society; and numerous fund-raising events for charity.