HILL'S Pet Nutrition Inc. has pledged $510,000 over six years to sponsor nutrition education programs at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Funding supports a lectureship, a two-year residency in clinical nutrition and fellowships for veterinarians pursuing doctoral degrees in nutrition.
The lectureship in clinical nutrition combines teaching academic coursework with hands-on instruction to veterinary students in the nutrition support service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Clinicians in this service consult clients and referring veterinarians to make recommendations for commercial or home-cooked diets for pets with previously diagnosed diseases or obesity. Faculty members also conduct laboratory analysis to assist veterinarians with diagnoses related to amino acid and mineral deficiencies in pet diets.
The educational grant supports a two-year residency at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, where the selected Hill's resident in clinical nutrition will work with nutrition cases while completing the training required for certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.
``The School of Veterinary Medicine is looking forward to continuing to advance our knowledge in the field of nutrition,'' says Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital director, Dr Bradford P. Smith. ``The funding provided by Hill's through this agreement makes it possible to move forward faster and establish clinical teaching programs and services to pets that would not otherwise have been possible.'' He adds: ``We are training veterinary students, residents, and graduate students in nutrition. This commitment is indicative of the foresight of Hill's in advancing the science and practice of veterinary nutrition.''
The agreement also provides support for three Hill's Fellows, veterinarians who are also doctoral candidates pursuing research in companion animal nutrition. The advanced training will prepare them for eligibility as members of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition and further enhance knowledge about the best food products for pets.
``Hill's Pet Nutrition shares a commitment to education and is pleased to work in this collaborative effort with UC Davis. Through this partnership, we hope to showcase the role of clinical nutrition as an essential component of practicing veterinary medicine. Nutrition can play a major role in a pet's health and our ground-breaking products are examples of the power of nutrition. This partnership with UC Davis will help equip veterinarians with the tools and knowledge needed to leverage clinical nutrition for optimal pet health care,'' said Dr Karen Padgett, veterinary business channel director at Hill's.
Founded more than 50 years ago by one veterinarian's unique commitment to pet nutrition and well-being, Hill's has never wavered from its mission to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Visit HillsVet.com for more information on Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. and its evidence-based clinical nutrition products.
UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine conducts a statewide mission of teaching, research and service benefiting animal, human and environmental health. The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital treats 30,000 animal patients each year while teaching clinical skills to veterinary students and training residents in veterinary medical specialties.
