News & Events

New Barn Owl Statue “Pepper” Greets Visitors to the California Raptor Center

What was once a massive pepper tree at the entrance of the California Raptor Center—felled because of a storm in recent years—has been replaced by a statue of a majestic barn owl named “Pepper.” His wings elegantly stretch out and feet appear to perch on a branch.

Observing that there was no object to capture visitors’ attention at the entrance of the raptor center, volunteer Kritika Bala took it upon herself to design a statue that would greet visitors.

“I wanted something big and colorful that would just catch attention,” she said. 

Pint, UC Davis' Beloved Wonder Dog, Passes Away

UC Davis mourns the loss of Pint, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who captured the hearts of Aggies for over a decade. Pint passed away on May 19 at the age of 14 ½ years from metastatic lung cancer.

Veterinary Teaching Innovation Wins Prize at Big Bang! Business Competition

Team members from the veterinary school community took home the $12,500 Animal Health Award from the 24th annual Big Bang! Business Competition on Tuesday, May 21. Their collaboration, known as Equine Teaching Innovations, created a silicone injection pad that enables student animal health professionals to learn basic injection skills in a life-like way without injecting a live animal.

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 who received their degrees from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in its 74th Commencement Ceremony held at the Mondavi Center on May 24th. Among those graduating were 145 DVM students, 31 residents and 17 students in the Master of Preventive Veterinary Medicine program.

Spectrum of Care Initiative

The AAVMC hosted the day-long Spectrum of Care Symposium, sponsored by the Stanton Foundation, on Thursday, April 11th, 2024, as part of the AAVMC annual Catalyze Conference in Washington, D.C. The purpose of the symposium was to support CVMs interested in implementing the SOC Education Model into their curricula.

Alumnus Kimberly Dodd Slated to Serve as MSU Dean

Dr. Kimberly Dodd, DVM, PhD, MS has been recommended to serve as the new dean of MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, effective August 1. Pending board approval, she will succeed Doug Freeman, who has served as interim dean since April 2023.

75th Anniversary Gala Celebrates Milestone with Support for Future Veterinary Leaders

 

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine will close its 75th anniversary year with a gala on June 29, 2024, at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. With a Western theme that guests can hang their hats and spurs on, the gala will raise funds for scholarships, nurturing the next generation of veterinary leaders.

Olympic champion figure skater and animal owner Brian Boitano will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

 

“Assistant Manager” Cat Gets Cancer Treatment and Moves Research Forward

 

What should a business owner do when a favorite employee gets cancer? What if that employee is a cat? When Horatio, “Assistant Manager Cat” of Seventh Son Brewing Co. in Columbus, Ohio—loved by guests and staff alike—was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma, the brewery took an unconventional approach to help both Horatio and the species. Seventh Son opened a GoFundMe for which 50 percent of the proceeds go to Horatio’s treatment, and the other 50 percent to the UC Davis Feline Cancer Research Fund and an Ohio organization dedicated to saving pets' lives through funding veterinary care.

Exotics Medicine Resident Wins National Award

 

Dr. Nicole Mikoni, a resident in the Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service, was awarded the 2024 American Association of Veterinary Clinicians (AAVC) Resident Award. The recognition is given annually to a resident in their final year of training who has achieved a high degree of excellence in their chosen specialty.

In nominating candidates, faculty mentors take into consideration activities, awards, and productivity of the resident during their training process.

UC Davis Ranked #1 Veterinary School in Nation

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine continues to be recognized for its global leadership in the field of veterinary science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, released today (April 10).