BREA, Calif., Sept. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- After
reviewing nearly 1.5 million pet insurance claims received over the
past year, Nationwide has nominated 11 worthy candidates for the
2016 Hambone Award. Each year, the nation's first and largest
provider of pet health insurance, searches through its database of
more than 575,000 insured pets to honor the most "Unusual Claim of
the Year." The winner will be decided by a public vote Sept. 20 – Oct. 3
at www.HamboneAward.com.
In addition, the veterinary hospital that treated this year's
Hambone Award winner will receive a $10,000 Nationwide-funded award
through the Veterinary Care Foundation to treat pets whose owners
could not otherwise afford treatment.
This year's nominees include a Great Dane who swallowed a whole
pair of pants, a Jack Russell terrier who fought off a burglar, a
Sphynx cat who was crushed inside a reclining chair, and many more.
All nominated pets have made full recoveries and received
Nationwide insurance reimbursements for eligible veterinary
expenses. Below are brief summaries of the 11 unusual claims
nominated for the 2016 Hambone Award. For a more detailed account
of each claim, photos of the nominees, or to vote (Sept. 20 – Oct. 3),
visit www.HamboneAward.com.
Hambone Award Nominees:
- Freckles the Cocker Spaniel (Brooklyn, N.Y.). Freckles' eager palate nearly
led to her demise when she passed out from oxygen deprivation after
getting her head stuck in a potato chip bag.
- Stark the American short haired cat (Naples, Fla.). Named after the famous super
hero, Stark took his "Iron Man" moniker too literally when he
attempted to fly off his cat tree and ended up hanging by his tail
from a set of window blinds.
- Oso the Blue Heeler mix (La
Mesa, Calif.). Oso is an incredibly athletic dog with a long
list of active hobbies including surfing and hiking. However, one
of Oso's field trips took a terrible turn when he misjudged a leap
and crash head first into a cement barrier, shattering his
snout.
- Rocky the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel (Sacramento,
Calif.). Rocky enjoys taking long naps on the family couch,
but one day his comfort turned into a calamity when he slipped
between the couch cushions while asleep and dislocated both of his
hips trying to get out.
- Rosie the Sphynx cat (Bee
Cave, TX). Rosie is quite the rebel, but one day her mouser
mischief nearly led to her demise after she snuck inside a
reclining chair and was crushed upon its close.
- Mitten the cat and Sasha the Poodle (Port Washington, N.Y.). A cold day turned
terrifying when Sasha, Mitten, and the entire family suffered
severe carbon monoxide poisoning after a faulty detector failed to
alert them of a leak in their house.
- Thunder the Giant Schnauzer (Skillman, N.J.). Thunder's favorite household
hobby involves stealing his family members' belongings and parading
them around the house. However, one day his shenanigans left him
breathless after he snatched up an asthma inhaler and ingested its
contents.
- Myles the Great Dane (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.). Myles' playtime
activities have been marred by his odd obsession with eating random
items of clothing, which nearly turned deadly after he swallowed a
pair of toddler sized jeans…whole!
- Kismet the Jack Russell terrier (Salt Lake City, Utah). Kismet's bravery saved
his owner's life when the tiny terrier intervened during a violent
home invasion that left both he and his owner critically injured
and thankful to be alive.
- Lily the Border collie (St.
Paul, Minn.). Lily's longtime hatred of the vacuum cleaner
boiled over into an appliance ambush that landed her in the
veterinary emergency room with severe mouth injuries after she got
her mouth caught inside the suction tool.
- Ludmila the Tibetan terrier (Pittsburgh, Pa.). Ludmila's incredible
curiosity got the best of her when she managed to get her head
stuck in a solid oak coffee table so snug that not even the fire
department could get her out.
Originally named after a dog who ate an entire Thanksgiving ham while stuck in a refrigerator,
the annual Hambone Award has since been given to the most bizarre
medical claim each year since 2009. Past winners include: Curtis, a
Boxer who swallowed a barbeque skewer that disappeared in his body
and nearly ended his life a year later; Charlie, a Labrador
retriever who became entangled with a tractor; Ellie, a Labrador
retriever who gobbled up an entire beehive and its thousands of
inhabitants; Lulu, a hungry bulldog who swallowed 15 baby
pacifiers, a bottle cap and a piece of a basketball; Harley, a pug
who ate and subsequently passed more than 100 rocks; Peanut, a
dachshund-terrier mix who survived a fierce squabble with a skunk;
and Winnie, a mixed-breed dog who swallowed two pounds of uncooked
onion rings.
"The Hambone Award is an annual reminder of the unforeseeable
mishaps that can occur with our pets at any time," said
Carol McConnell, DVM, MBA, vice
president and chief veterinary medical officer for Nationwide.
"More importantly, these stories exemplify the importance of taking
the necessary precautions and seeking veterinary treatment when an
animal shows signs of distress. These pets all made remarkable
recoveries because of their quick thinking pet parents and proper
treatment by skilled veterinarians. We are delighted to see them
all back to enjoying their lives."
About Nationwide pet insurance
With more than 575,000
insured pets, pet insurance from Nationwide, formerly known as
Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), is the first and largest pet health
insurance provider in the United
States. Since 1982, Nationwide has helped provide pet owners
with peace of mind and is committed to being the trusted
choice of America's pet lovers.
Nationwide plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for
multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents,
illnesses and injuries. Wellness coverage for routine care is
available for an additional premium. Medical plans are available in
all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. Additionally, one in three Fortune 500 companies
offers pet insurance from Nationwide as an employee benefit.
Insurance plans are offered and administered by Veterinary Pet
Insurance Company in California
and DVM Insurance Agency in all other states. Underwritten by
Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (CA), Brea, CA, an A.M. Best A rated company (2013);
National Casualty Company (all other states), Columbus OH, an A.M. Best A+ rated company
(2014). Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide Is
On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company. ©2016 Nationwide. Pet owners can find Nationwide pet
insurance on Facebook or follow on Twitter. For more information
about Nationwide pet insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit
petinsurance.com.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company
based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of
the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial
services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M.
Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides a full range
of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial,
homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector
retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and
mortgages; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet,
motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit
www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side, Join the Nation
and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide
Mutual Insurance Company.
CONTACT:
Media Relations
(714) 706-5652
mediainfo@petinsurance.com
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SOURCE Nationwide