Happy 2008 to all –
I hope that this newsletter finds everyone back from a happy and safe holiday season. And with 2008
upon us, I hope that everyone looking forward to another exciting year of SNEAALAS activities.
Our year end banquet was held at Amarante’s Sea Cliff Restaurant in New Haven. This year’s change of
venue brought us a beautiful ocean view sunset, a yummy buffet dinner and who could forget our
enjoyable speaker, Bruce W. Kennedy, outgoing AALAS National President. Bruce’s fast paced, upbeat
presentation was based on his experiences as AALAS National President and was quite the treat.
As outgoing Award’s Chairperson, I’d like to send out a congratulations to the following SNEAALAS
members who took home awards in 2007: Pamela Raudat – Technician of the Year, Diane Cooper –
Supervisor of the Year, Heidi Dulac – Veterinary Assistant of the Year, Cammie Symonowicz – For
Advancements in Education and Training, Keely Hintz – For Improvements in Animal Welfare, Janice
Plourd – For Research and Technology, Nikke Nicolelis and Elite Biomedical Products - Vendor of the
Year and myself, Melissa Bonk who was named the Branch Contributor of the Year. And a special thanks
to Allentown, Harlan, Thoren Caging Systems, Inc, Charles River, Ancare and Getinge USA who came
forward to sponsor this year’s awards.
Our first Group Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12th from 2-5pm at Bristol-Myers Squibb in
Wallingford, CT. Our speaker for this meeting will be Dr. Arnie Goldman who will speak on Disaster
preparedness for companion and Lab animals. Further details on this meeting will follow in a separate
correspondence.
SNEAALAS is your organization. We all have busy schedules, but think about the great opportunities
that SNEAALAS and our committee memberships have to offer. We are always looking for new ideas
and fresh faces to help us with anything from our Education Committee to our newly formed Event
Committee (which last year put together our 1st SNEAALAS Wine Tasting Event). Please get involved
and tell your friends and co-workers about our great organization.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our February Meeting. Please feel free to contact me at any time
to share ideas or ask questions.
Sincerely,
Missy