Las Vegas Veterinarian Receives National Recognition from Pets Best Insurance

Dr. Linda Steelman wins latest My Vet’s the Best contest

Boise, Idaho (March 20, 2012) – Pets Best Insurance, a leading nationwide pet insurance agency, announced today that Dr. Linda Steelman of the Bonanza Cat Hospital in Las Vegas has been selected as the latest winner of the company’s nationwide My Vet’s the Best contest. In recognition of her dedication to serving pets in the Las Vegas Valley, Pets Best Insurance awarded Dr. Steelman $1,000 to treat animals in need. After receiving a nomination from one of her clients, Dr. Steelman competed against five veterinarians from across the nation during the quarterly contest, winning with an impressive 44.2 percent of the online votes cast by the public through the Pets Best Insurance website, www.petsbest.com, and the company’s increasingly popular Facebook page. Dr. Steelman provides free care and treatment for abused, abandoned and chronically ill cats through The Poppy Foundation, a charitable organization that offers a much-needed home to dozens of felines in the Las Vegas area. Many of these cats are considered unadoptable and would not have access to treatment and shelter without assistance from The Poppy Foundation. “We created the My Vet’s the Best contest to provide funds for animals in need of support and recognize veterinarians like Dr. Steelman who share our company’s steadfast commitment to keeping pets healthy and safe,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, president and founder of Pets Best Insurance. “As a veterinarian, it brings me great pride to announce that Pets Best Insurance will continue to honor our nation’s finest and most compassionate veterinary medical professionals for a third consecutive year.” In 2010, Pets Best Insurance became the nation’s first pet insurance company to develop a contest aimed at recognizing outstanding veterinarians. Each year, hundreds of veterinarians receive nominations from grateful pet owners, with online voters selecting the quarterly contest winners. An internal panel composed of respected veterinarians also reviews each year’s nominees and selects an annual My Vet’s the Best grand prize winner. Pets Best recently named Dr. Irvin Ingram the grand prize winner of its 2012 contest, honoring the Phoenix-based veterinarian in February during an event at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas. “We encourage pet owners across the nation to continue nominating outstanding veterinarians in their communities,” Dr. Stephens said. “Pets Best has already received an influx of stellar nominations this year, and we look forward to seeing more come in as a growing number of people share heartwarming stories about the doctors who go above and beyond to promote pet health.” For more information about the My Vets the Best contest, visit petsbest.com/blog/my-vets-the-best-contest. About Pets Best Insurance Dr. Jack L. Stephens, President of Pets Best Insurance, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first pet insurance policy ever to famous television dog, Lassie. Pets Best Insurance is the only veterinarian founded and operated pet insurance company in the United States. Dr. Stephens is always available to answer questions regarding veterinarian medicine, pet health and pet insurance. Visit www.petsbest.com for more information. Pet insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807.

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