“Dr Teddy” has received an honorary degree from UC Davis for being a “M...

via.horsetalk
“Dr Teddy” has received an honorary degree from UC Davis for being a “Master Equine Educator”
Read more: http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/2016/05/27/honorary-degree-dr-teddy-master-equine-educator-uc-davis/#ixzz49ompDdP9

A thoroughbred gelding has become one of the first horses to receive an honorary degree for being a “Master Equine Educator” at UC Davis in California.

“Dr Teddy” received his degree on the same day that 137 students received their Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine last Saturday.

The 19-year-old had helped the students learn equine health at more than two dozen appointments and a long stay at the school’s teaching hospital over the past year.

During his time at UC Davis, Teddy was seen for routine treatments such as vaccinations and deworming, but also more complicated issues such as stem cell treatments and a neurological disorder. Over the year, many veterinary students had the opportunity to learn from him.

“Teddy was the first patient I ever had on my clinical rotations,” said Class of 2016 DVM graduate Carin Stevens. “Signing up for your first patient is quite a nerve-racking experience as you try to figure out how to go through the motions of being a fourth-year student and integrating all of the medicine you have learned up to that point. Teddy was the perfect patient.”

Teddy’s patience helped students with minimal large animal experience be comfortable around horses. His inherent interest in human companionship makes him an ideal horse for students to approach. He routinely walked students through various lessons in equine medicine including neurologic assessment, lameness evaluation, medication administration, behavioral and postural assessment, grooming, hand walking and much more.

“He would greet us with ears pricked forward, eyes bright, and an unspoken inquiry of what the day would hold,” said Dr. Claudia Sonder, director of the UC Davis Center for Equine Health.

“I stood with my team in front of him on numerous occasions to discuss his progress, evaluate his comfort level and remark upon his cheerful nature despite months of confinement. It was clear to us that he trusted us and enjoyed our companionship.”

Dr. Larry Galuppo, chief of the Equine Surgery and Lameness Service, said: “Teddy provided an exceptional educational experience for staff, students, residents and faculty from many hospital services.

“His care truly touched so many.”

Teddy’s owners, Bob and Colleen Haas said they were grateful to UC Davis for looking after Teddy so well.

“The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine is number one in the world due to its remarkable faculty, their cutting edge research and inspirational teaching, and its students, each of whom is exceptional in their own right,” they said.

“For Teddy to be the first equine to ‘graduate’ from UC Davis as a Master Equine Educator is beyond comprehension.”

Teddy with some of the students who received their Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine degrees from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine last Saturday.

泰迪博士