Neeru Khosla Receives School's El Blanco Award
Neeru Khosla, a longtime supporter of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a devoted animal advocate, has been named the 2026 recipient of the school’s El Blanco Award, recognizing individuals who exemplify the human-animal bond and advance veterinary care through service and philanthropy.
“We give this award every year to an individual who really recognizes the human-animal bond and helps us advance,” said Dean Mark Stetter during the ceremony on May 30, held as part of the school's annual Spring Showcase.
Khosla was co-nominated by Dr. Barbro Filliquist, Associate Professor of Clinical Orthopedic Surgery, who first met her decades ago while still a veterinary student. At the time, Khosla had brought in one of her dogs for intensive care. Years later, the two reconnected when Filliquist returned to UC Davis as a faculty member.
“It was really clear to me that as a pet owner she was very dedicated,” Filliquist said, noting that the dedication extended beyond her own animals. “Very quickly she asked…what can she do to help us make an impact.”
Khosla has since become a strong advocate for the veterinary hospital, supporting efforts that improve patient care and expand services. According to Filliquist, her contributions reflect “the passion and the dedication and commitment that she had not just to the school” but to its broader mission of advancing care for animals.
Her involvement with UC Davis is rooted in personal experience. Over the years, Khosla has brought numerous dogs to the hospital, forming close relationships with faculty and staff. “I’ve had 16 dogs,” she said during her remarks, noting that many were large breeds requiring complex care.
Her connection to animals began long before her time in California. Growing up in India, she regularly fed stray dogs that gathered near her home. “We left 30 dogs behind that I was feeding every day,” she said.
That lifelong commitment has continued through both joyful and difficult moments. Khosla described her earliest experience with UC Davis, when a dog suffered heatstroke and required emergency care and then dialysis for three months. “That was how he was saved,” she said. The treatment that left a lasting impression and led to support for the school.
In addition to her support for veterinary medicine, Khosla has contributed to broader philanthropic efforts. Stetter noted her involvement in developing a nonprofit focused on expanding access to education for K–12 students globally.
The award is named after a beloved feline companion El Blanco. Owner Cyndi Olson Glassauer was the first El Blanco Award recipient in 1994. Thanks to Olson Glassauer’s support, researchers discovered the link between feline dilated cardiomyopathy, a grave heart ailment, and a dietary deficiency of the amino acid taurine. Adding taurine to commercial cat foods reverses the problem and saves thousands of pets' lives.
Dr. Steve Epstein was Filliquist's co-nominator of Khosla for the award.