WSDA receives award as patriotic employer

Chris McGann 
Communications

WSDA Director Derek Sandison Recieves the distinguished
Pro Patria award from Wayne Hilton. 

This month, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded the distinguished Pro Patria award to WSDA Director Derek Sandison for his outstanding support of National Guard and Reserve employees.

Washington Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented the award in recognition of Sandison’s extraordinary support of employees serving in the Guard and Reserve.

Our Animal Services Division currently has two Army Veterinary Corps veterinarians on staff, both of whom have recently engaged in military obligations including command, humanitarian efforts, required training events, and overseas deployments.

Most recently State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Joseph deployed overseas.

“Thank you for all that you do for our military folks and we are pleased to be able to come down here and do this,” said Wayne Hilton, Washington ESGR South Sound chair.

Capt. Daniel Fredrick, commander of the Olympia Army
Recruiting Company, discusses recruiting with Sandison.

“We’re pleased to receive this, but we are also very proud of Dr. Joseph and our other staff who have done military service. It’s important,” said WSDA Director Derek Sandison. “The men and women who serve in the Guard and Reserve do a tremendous service to our country, as well as our agency. We are proud to support them in any way we can.”

The Pro Patria Award

ESGR, a Department of Defense program, seeks to foster a culture in which all employers support and value the employment and military service of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States. For more information about ESGR outreach programs or volunteer opportunities, call 800-336-4590 or visit www.ESGR.mil.

The Pro Patria Award is presented annually to one small, one large, and one public sector employer in their state or territory. Recipients have demonstrated the greatest support to Guard and Reserve employees through their leadership and practices, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for employees to participate in the National Guard and Reserve. This is the highest level award that may be bestowed by an ESGR state committee.

Support

The award recognized our agency’s support of our Army Reserve veterinarians by covering their responsibilities or regions while they are away and planning accordingly so their focus can remain on their military obligations or missions.

WSDA believes this is particularly important for those serving in combat zones, as there is inherent danger in these operations. Animal Services Division employees serving in this capacity can have complete faith and assurance that their regulatory duties will be handled efficiently in their absence.

Hiring

WSDA also actively seeks out veterans for employment. Our state recruiter targets veterans through attending job fairs at Joint Base Lewis McChord, as well as volunteering for workshops geared toward helping transitioning veterans into civilian life.  The recruiter can also assist with resume writing and interviewing skills.

Ohad Lowy, Sandison, Fredrick and Hilton. 

Last year, our recruiter has set up two informational interviews for veterans, and one resulted in the hiring of a state cannabis coordinator. 

In the field

In addition, WSDA supports active duty and reserve Veterinary Corps units at Joint Base Lewis McChord by offering tours, giving presentations, and discussing animal health topics or emerging diseases.