Giving in Action

Scholarships have granted me the opportunity to explore the intersection of my creative and veterinary interests, investigate interdisciplinary One Health topics, and collaborate with experts specializing in various areas of study – all of which have sparked tremendous personal and professional growth.” 

“This expansion is absolutely critical for the ER to continue its high standards of compassionate care.”

– Dr. Kate Hopper

 

Erica Chang, Class of 2022

Erica Chang is fascinated with marine creatures – especially sharks – but being in Davis is the closest they have ever lived to the ocean. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native chose to attend veterinary school at UC Davis in part due to research opportunities that would provide access to those animals.

Here are some important things to discuss as a family before settling on a new exotic companion:

HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT
Indoors or outdoors? Enclosure size? Will that change as the animal grows? Lighting, temperature, and humidity requirements?

SIZE
Some animals start small and stay small. Others can grow quickly. Research expected adult size for the species you are considering.

DR. WILLIAM ROY PRITCHARD 1924—2020

We lost a brilliant visionary in veterinary medicine last October when Dean Emeritus Dr. William Roy Pritchard passed away at the age of 95. Known to many as Bill, Pritchard led the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine as its fourth dean for 20 years, from 1962 to 1982, setting the school on an exciting path with an impact still felt today.

When Dr. Michael Lairmore was recruited as dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011, he was struck with the enormity of the job and the remarkable people and programs he would lead.

“I kept uncovering new, exciting aspects of the school, from outstanding research, educational and clinical programs to renowned diagnostic laboratory networks protecting the food supply,” Lairmore said.

From Lab to Clinic As a leader in veterinary clinical medicine as well as basic science research, UC Davis offers unique collaborative opportunities that bring innovation from the lab bench to the clinic.

Nearly 20 years ago when Professor Monica Aleman was a graduate student working on her PhD, she was assisting in research on healthy horses under general anesthesia. To her surprise, one of the horses under anesthesia had some odd reactions.

Nearly five years ago, Desi Blondell-Timmerman learned that her Jack Russell terrier Gabriel had corneal endothelial dystrophy (CED), a progressive genetic disease that causes blindness and discomfort.

“I was devastated,” said Blondell-Timmerman. “He was going to be the stud with which I started my kennel.”

Training Future Leaders

UC Davis prepares the next generation of veterinary researchers with help from prestigious grants such as the NIH Medical Scientist Training Program award and the NCI T-32 Comparative Oncology Training Program grant. This is the first year for UC Davis to receive both of these multi-year sources of funding.

In Memoriam

James L. Bittle, DVM ’53

William R. Pritchard, DVM, PhD, JD
Dean Emeritus
(Read more here)