By Burgetta Wheeler
Recognizing a researcher dedicated primarily to swine welfare for the first time, the American Veterinary Medicine Association has selected Dr. Monique Pairis-Garcia, professor of global production animal welfare at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, as the recipient of its 2026 Animal Welfare Award.
The association will present the award — which recognizes achievements in advancing animal welfare through leadership, public service, education, research, product development or advocacy — to Dr. Pairis-Garcia this weekend at its annual convention in California. Dr. Shelly Vaden, professor of internal medicine at NC State, will receive the group’s 2026 Clinical Research Award as well.
As a veterinarian in North Carolina, the nation’s third-largest pork producer, Dr. Pairis-Garcia said being recognized for her important global work advancing pain management for pigs is especially meaningful.
“The first thing that hit me was how proud I am to represent the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, to represent North Carolina and to represent an industry that has not always been recognized for its work in animal welfare,” said Dr. Pairis-Garcia, who has been at NC State since 2019. “I’m so excited to be recognized with this award because I would not have been able to accomplish what I have in pig welfare without the open door policy from the industry and the commitment that our college and university have to serve our agriculture industries in our state.”
Her research, conducted in large part on commercial farms in partnership with the National Pork Board and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, focuses on applying animal welfare science to farm assessments, audits, pain management and humane euthanasia.
Source : ncsu.edu