The Simon Award, is for contributions to the advancement of all small animal surgery in its widest context, including but not limited to, soft tissue surgery, anaesthesia, orthopaedics and surgical aspects of neurology, ophthalmology, diagnostic imaging and exotics (NTCA).
Simon, was a Golden Retriever owned by Mr J. Thomas, a blind telephone operator, that also became blind and had his sight restored by surgery, thus enabling him to resume his full duties as a guide dog. Mr Thomas, in appreciation of the work and surgical skill which had made this possible, inaugurated and made this award at the 1962 annual Congress.