NC State veterinarian wins 2026 AVMA Animal Welfare Award for swine welfare leadership

Monique Pairis-Garcia, a leading veterinarian in swine welfare and pain management, recognised with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s prestigious 2026 Animal Welfare Award for her impactful leadership and research.

Monique Pairis-Garcia, a veterinarian and farm animal welfare specialist at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, has been named the 2026 recipient of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Animal Welfare Award. The AVMA said the honour recognises veterinary leadership in welfare science, education, public service and advocacy, and the award will be presented at the association’s convention in Anaheim. According to NC State, her work centres on swine welfare, particularly pain management and humane euthanasia.

Pairis-Garcia has built her career around turning welfare research into tools that can be used on commercial farms. NC State says she has partnered with the National Pork Board and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, secured more than $1.7 million in funding and published more than 75 peer-reviewed papers. The AVMA said her contributions also include the 2024 humane slaughter guidelines and leadership within the American College of Animal Welfare.

In remarks quoted by National Hog Farmer, Pairis-Garcia thanked family, colleagues and the swine industry for supporting her work. AVMA president Michael Q. Bailey said her career reflects the profession’s best efforts to make rigorous science practical for animals on farms. She is currently on sabbatical in Brazil, where she is helping develop a national pig-welfare assessment programme.

Image Source: Monique Pairis-Garcia