2018 Animal Welfare Medals: Boehringer Ingelheim recognises outstanding research in animal health

Ingelheim, Germany, 1 October 2018 - Boehringer Ingelheim has, for the second time, given out Animal Welfare Medals in the following categories: cattle, equine, swine, as well as small animals and pets. The medals reward innovative and practical research that serves to improve animal welfare and particularly recognize concepts aimed at reducing animal pain and suffering. “Promoting animal welfare is of great importance to us,” explained Stephan Dolle, Head of Animal Health Germany at Boehringer Ingelheim, during the award ceremony. “It is our conviction that, by safeguarding animal welfare, we also improve the lives and well-being of people.”

An independent jury assessed the papers in each of the categories. The panels, comprising two members of the science community and one member with industry background, bestowed awards on the following researchers:

Dr. Annegret Tautenhahn, the winner in the category cattle, impressed the panel with her research paper on risk factors for increased calf mortality and low daily weight gains among rearing calves on northeast German dairy farms. Her work focuses on improving health assessments and thereby the health of calves.

Dr. Anna-Caroline Wöhr and Dr. Christine Fuchs from Ludwig-Maximilian University in Munich received the Animal Welfare Medal in equine for their work entitled “Silent suffering: Lack of REM sleep in horses.” They identified the cause of frequent horse collapse and drew up specific proposals for improving the conditions in which the animals are kept. This will help prevent the illness or at least mitigate its effects.

The prizewinner ine the swine category was Dr. Irena Czycholl for her research paper on the practicability, validity, and reliability of the Welfare Quality^® assessment protocol for pigs for fattening. She developed a workable protocol with which to objectively assess and compare animal welfare in existing stocks.

Two separate papers were recognized in the category small animals and pets. One award went to Dr. Charlotte Sophie Leidinger, whose research paper on refinement strategies in breeding and keeping laboratory mice produced findings that lead to improvements in the living conditions and survival of mice, particularly baby mice. She also demonstrated that mental activity and social interaction had a positive impact on the animals’ well-being. The special prize for small animals and pets was given to Dr. Angelika Drensler for developing a cat-friendly veterinary practice as a means of improving cat welfare. Her concept to minimize stress for cats, their owners, and veterinarians during veterinary visits was devised and initially tested at her own practice.

The Animal Health division of Boehringer Ingelheim values close working relationships with universities and veterinary practices. The 2018 Animal Welfare Medals demonstrate the company’s commitment to disease prevention and the development of innovative solutions in the field of animal health. 

Boehringer Ingelheim

Improving the health and quality of life of patients is the goal of the research-driven pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. The focus in doing so is on diseases for which no satisfactory treatment option exists to date. The company therefore concentrates on developing innovative therapies that can extend patients’ lives. In animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim stands for advanced prevention.

Family-owned since it was established in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the pharmaceutical industry’s top 20 companies. Some 50,000 employees create value through innovation daily for the three business areas human pharmaceuticals, animal health and biopharmaceuticals. In 2017, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of nearly 18.1 billion euros. R&D expenditure, exceeding three billion euros, corresponded to 17.0 per cent of net sales.

As a family-owned company, Boehringer Ingelheim plans in generations and focuses on long-term success, rather than short-term profit. The company therefore aims at organic growth from its own resources with simultaneous openness to partnerships and strategic alliances in research. In everything it does, Boehringer Ingelheim naturally adopts responsibility towards mankind and the environment.

More information about Boehringer Ingelheim can be found on www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or in our annual report: http://annualreport.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit

Boehringer Ingelheim is the second largest animal health business in the world. We are committed to creating animal wellbeing through our large portfolio of advanced, preventive healthcare products and services. With net sales of 3.9 billion euros and around 10,000 employees worldwide, we are present in more than 150 markets. For more information click here.

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This press release is issued from our Corporate Headquarters in Ingelheim, Germany and is intended to provide information about our global business. Please be aware that information relating to the approval status and labels of approved products may vary from country to country, and a country-specific press release on this topic may have been issued in the countries where we do business.