Dr. Jay Sweeney Receives The 2005 Sonny Allen Professional Achievement Award
Dolphin Quest’s very own Dr. Jay Sweeney, co-founder and owner, was the recipient of the esteemed Sonny Allen Professional Achievement Award at the 2005 International Marine Animal Trainers’ Association (IMATA) conference in the Florida Keys in November.
This award was created in recognition of Sonny Allen’s 25 years as a devoted and founding member of IMATA, and honors individuals who have demonstrated a dedication to the field of marine mammal science, training and service to IMATA. Dr. Sweeney is the seventh recipient of the award since its creation nine years ago.
Dr. Sweeney had no idea he was selected for this award, and was overwhelmingly surprised and emotionally touched when he heard his name during the award presentation at the Honors and Awards Banquet on the final night of the IMATA conference. The award was presented by Bill Wolden and Billy Hurley, who have worked with Jay for 13 and six years respectively, and also nominated Jay for this award. The presentation included a narrated photo history of Jay’s impressive career and life, and at the end, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
