Recently retired NB veterinarian pays tribute to clients' pets by donating over $16,000 to Atlantic Veterinary College
After almost two decades in animal care, long-time animal lover and humanitarian, Dr. Leland Thomas of Saint John, New Brunswick is trading in his stethoscope for a well deserved retirement.
Leland Thomas has been saving lives of the animal kind for close to 18 years. Vaccinations, examinations and surgeries have filled Thomas' days since he and his wife Janice opened All Creatures Veterinary Hospital in Saint John following Thomas' graduation from the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in 1990.
"I can remember hearing about the possibility of a veterinary school opening in the Maritimes," reflects Thomas, surrounded in his Saint John home by his three dogs and six cats. "I was 34 and working as a mechanic at the time. I was ready for a change and saw veterinary school as an opportunity to do something different. I have always loved animals so the veterinary profession was a good choice for me and has resulted in a very rewarding career."
As a member of AVC’s first graduating class, Thomas has enjoyed a long history with the college. It was this connection and Thomas' desire to honor his clients' pets that led to a very special act of giving over the years.
"When someone loses a pet, they are deeply affected. People spend a lot of time with their pets and develop strong bonds with them," says Thomas. "There is a big change when their pets are no longer around. I wanted to find a way to give comfort to my clients, so I began making donations in memory of their companions to AVC's Companion Animal Trust Fund. It seemed to mean a lot."
AVC's Companion Animal Trust Fund supports work aimed at improving the health of companion animals. Funds provide a means of continuing research on animal diseases and improving facilities and equipment for the Atlantic Veterinary College's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The most recent fund grant was awarded to a research project exploring obesity in dogs and its effects on heart function.
"The Companion Animal Trust Fund is a wonderful way to recognize the special bond people share with their pets," says Dr. Sherri Ihle, a member of AVC's Companion Animal Department and Director of the Fund. "Dr. Thomas and the staff of the All Creatures Veterinary Hospital have been paying tribute to animals through this fund since it started almost 20 years ago. Both his clients and the Atlantic Veterinary College are fortunate to benefit from his compassion and generosity."
Over the course of Thomas' career, his clinic has donated more than $16,000 to the Companion Animal Trust Fund. "I feel the fund is a worthwhile initiative," says Thomas. "We have to rely on each other to support work like this. We can not always depend on government to fund research."
Thomas' retirement plans include long summers on Deer Island, restoring an old sailboat and working with local environmental groups.
Funded by the four Atlantic Provinces, the Atlantic Veterinary College at UPEI is committed to excellence and innovation in education, research, and professional services. The College has graduated more than 1,000 doctors of veterinary medicine, is known around the world for its research capabilities, and is Atlantic Canada's only full service veterinary referral hospital.
For more information on the Companion Animal Trust Fund, visit www.upei.ca/~avc/catf.
