The Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association recently recognized  Earl Thompson as 2016 Veterinarian of the Year during the 120th Annual Convention at Hyatt Regency in Minneapolis. The Veterinarian of the Year Award recognizes those who have given much to the veterinary profession as well as to their community — a well-rounded member who is outstanding in the profession.

In 1984, Thompson and his wife, Beverly, established the Nepal Social Service Fund, a Minnesota based nonprofit providing health and medical care, education and literacy training, and agricultural and veterinary projects to the people of Nepal.

The couple’s mission is to work at the grassroots level to identify goals and develop innovative, self-sustaining initiatives.

Thompson also practiced veterinary medicine in rural Freeborn County from 1957 to 1983. He started, owned and operated his own practice in Clarks Grove, serving both small and large animals.