Over the years, many of UC Davis veterinary hospital’s patients have been featured in national and international news coverage. Their success stories were made possible by the dedicated teams of clinicians, staff and students who provide compassionate care on a daily basis.
It’s tremendous that we as a class have reached our $100,000 goal to support scholarships. It feels really good. This is a small step in addressing the significant challenge of veterinary student debt and helping the profession as a whole. Small steps do make a difference!
The future UC Davis Veterinary Medical Center aims to lead the way in innovation and discovery and apply that knowledge to cutting-edge compassionate care. That goal is coming to life with the creation of a new Dentistry and Oral Surgery Service (DOSS) suite. Expected to open by late 2023, the suite will allow faculty to maximize their expertise and interest, and make patient care more personal and accessible.
Danika Bannasch, DVM, PhD, and Pamela Lein, PhD, were elected as fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). AAAS fellows are selected based on their achievements across a range of disciplines, from research and teaching to administrative roles.
Since 1948, the school’s faculty, staff, and students have made significant breakthroughs in research studies and clinical applications—from vaccine development for devastating livestock diseases to using stem cells in regenerative medicine. Their work has changed the world and laid the groundwork for future veterinarians to expand on their advances. On the 75th anniversary of the school’s opening, we celebrate those achievements by highlighting several key accomplishments.
Forging a Path for 40 Years
Dr. Don Jones ’74 knew from a young age that he wanted to combine his passion for animals and science. But when he completed a vocational report on veterinary medicine in junior high, he was told he wouldn’t get accepted to veterinary school in California and would have to attend Tuskegee University—the historically all-black school in Alabama—if that was his chosen career path.
As the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, we take a look back at the history that provided our foundation for leading veterinary medicine into the future.
Kitties are my favorite because they are very cute – Bobby
Giving from the Heart
Bobby Davenport (6) and his sister, Liv (8), have a special place in their hearts for animals—especially cats.
Their first cat, Alfie, was an affectionate Siamese mix who liked to snuggle. After he passed away in 2021, the Davenport family went to an adoption event in Napa, California for Whiskers, Tails and Ferals—a local rescue organization. Liv told volunteers she was looking for a “Siamese snuggle cat.”
Genetic (or DNA) testing is an easy way to uncover valuable information about your pet—from parentage identification to health screening. UC Davis helped pioneer animal genetic testing in the 1960s and is internationally recognized as an expert in the field today—a field that has rapidly expanded in the last decade. But when and why should you consider a DNA test for your pet?
Genetic Testing 101
Genes are biological instructions, with half of the information contributed by each parent, that make up the unique blueprint of the life (genome) of each individual.
All seven of the United States’ abalone species that live on the West Coast are now listed as Critically Endangered or Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
