Donald Hoeing of Belfast, a founding member of the Maine Cattle Health Assurance program, has received the 2003 Veterinary Service Award from the Maine Veterinary Medical Association.

In 1999, Hoeing helped establish a committee to set up the cattle health program, which was modeled after a program in New York that provides testing of dairy herds for Johne’s disease and other ailments.

Hoeing has served as a veterinarian for the state Department of Agriculture for almost 18 years and provides health services to Maine’s brown-egg industry. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s aquaculture and seafood advisory committee, and has been named the AVMA representative to the national Aquatic Animal Health Task Force.

Hoeing recently was named New England Soccer Coach of the Year by the National Association of High School Soccer Coaches.