alumni

Annette Parker holds a photo of her late husband, Dr. Harold Parker '52.

Building the Foundation for Excellence in Veterinary Medicine

Harold “Hal” Parker was a proud member of the Class of 1952—the school’s inaugural graduating class of 42 students, nearly all World War II veterans. He was pivotal in building the foundation for excellence in veterinary medicine at UC Davis, starting with the groundbreaking ceremony for Haring Hall in 1948.

Dr. John Zimmerman, DVM ’62

Giving Back and Looking to the Future

Dr. John Zimmerman, DVM ’62 can’t thank the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine enough for giving him the training to pursue a fulfilling career. After graduation, he worked in dairy production and equine medicine for two years in Los Angeles before establishing the Sonoma Marin Veterinary Service in Petaluma, California, where he has been practicing for 57 years.

“Veterinary medicine has been a great fit for me,” he said. “I like cattle and ended up coming back to my home town. It’s given me a wonderful life.”

Dr. Jackie Gai and baby elephant

The Call of the Wild

Posted by Trina Wood on August 29, 2019
Dr. Jackie Gai ’01 serves as the director of veterinary services for the Performing Animal Welfare Society and works with elephants, lions, tigers and bears. But she still has a soft spot for ducks.
Avian and Exotics
UC Davis cancer treatment for dog

Alumni Connection Helps Dog with Cancer

Posted by Rob Warren on July 01, 2019
Oso, a 2-year-old chocolate Labrador retriever, started dragging his back legs while on a walk. His veterinarian in Bend, Oregon—surgeon Dr. Mauricio Dujowich, a UC Davis alum—performed an MRI that revealed a massive tumor inside his spinal cord, pinching the nerves to his back legs.
Small Animal
Dr. Ben Norman

Honoring the Life of Dr. Ben Norman

Posted by Trina Wood on October 02, 2018
Dr. Benny “Ben” Norman, a long-time UC Davis Extension Veterinarian and mentor to many at the School of Veterinary Medicine over the years, died on August 17 at the age of 82. Norman was a 1960 Oklahoma State University DVM graduate and also had an M.S. degree in veterinary pathology (1966), a Ph.D. degree in Animal Nutrition (1970), both from OSU, and an MPVM degree from UC Davis (1996).
News & Events
Dr. Doug Herthel

Remembering Dr. Doug Herthel, a Pioneer of Equine Medicine

Posted by Rob Warren on July 13, 2018

Doug Herthel, DVM, passed away July 11, 2018. Dr. Herthel, 71, earned his undergraduate degree from UC Davis and was a member of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) Class of 1971. It was at UC Davis where he met his wife, Sue. Shortly after completing his DVM studies, Dr. and Mrs. Herthel founded what would become the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California.

News & Events
The inaugural Class of 1952 at a reunion in 2012. Dr. Baker on far right.

Remembering Norman Baker, Member of Inaugural Class of 1952

Posted by Trina Wood on June 28, 2018

Dr. Norman Baker, DVM, passed away February 16, 2018. Dr. Baker, 91, was a member of the inaugural class of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) in 1952. Following his DVM studies, he completed a PhD in parasitology at UC Davis.

News & Events
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