In June 2017 Dr. Susan Mikota, ECI’s Director of Veterinary Programs and Research became a Diplomate of the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). ACAW is one of 22 specialty organizations recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association. A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area.