Animal Archives

Pet of the Year

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation (MVMF) has announced the winner of the 2023 Animal Archives “Pet of the Year.” The Archives offers an internet-based memorial program devoted to departed pets. This year’s winner is “Grant,” a fifteen-year-old Toy Poodle owned by Cathy Forand of St. Louis, Mo. He was honored by Grantview Animal Hospital, St. Louis, Mo.

Grant was one of six nominees in this year’s competition. Nominees are chosen from the previous year’s submissions to the Archives. During 2022/2023, the public was invited to vote online for their favorite departed pet based on its life story and the bond between the pet and its owners. Votes from across the state were cast for the six candidates. An Honorable Mention goes to the other five Pet of the Year candidates: “Mila”, “Lily”, “Maddie”, “Oliver” and “Simon”.

“Grant was the best buddy I ever had. He followed me everywhere and was so loyal to me. I miss him so much and I don’t think I will ever have another dog like him. I was so blessed to have him 15 years. He loved to go out every morning and get the newspaper with me and lay on the couch, next to me, watching TV. He will always be my special boy and I will see him again one day at the Rainbow Bridge.

I am so thankful Grantview Animal Hospital did this for my Grant. I miss the little guy so much but something like this helps. He was the best dog, so loyal and always by my side. He will be in my heart forever.” – Cathy Forand

You can now view the next Pet of the Year candidates and vote for your favorite pet. Go to the Animal Archives of Missouri website at www.mopetmemorial.com.

Veterinary Honor Roll Inducts Three New Members

The Missouri Veterinary Medical Foundation (MVMF) has announced the induction for three new members into the Veterinary Honor Roll of Missouri.

On April 29, 2023 a ceremony was held at the Foundation’s Museum in Jefferson City, Mo. to honor Dr. Dale Grotelueschen, Dr. Carol Ryan and Dr. Gayla Whittle.

Dr. Carol Ryan, Troy, Mo. is the MVMA’s 2023 Veterinarian of the Year. She is past-president and pastboard chair of the association.

Dr. Ryan is a 1992 graduate of the University of MissouriCollege of Veterinary Medicine. She has worked as a mixed animal practitioner at the Troy & Wentzville Veterinary Clinics since graduation. She was raised on a registered Angus and swine farm and is still involved in the production of beef at the family’s Centralia farm. She is a member of the AVMA, MVMA, and the GSLVMA. Dr. Ryan has been president of the MVMA and its Academy, AAVSB Race program screener and a co-chairman of the Missouri State Medical Board. She is an AVMA alternate delegate and attends many nationwide meetings focusing on AVMA advocacy and leadership training.

She currently serves on AVMA’s Committee of Scientific Activities. She is a member of Sacred Heart Church, the St. Charles Cattlemen’s and Pork Producers, is a 4-H club leader and a 4-H livestock advisor.

Dr. Gayla Whittle, is owner/practitioner at Honey Creek Veterinary Hospital, Trenton, Mo. She was nominated by Dr. Lynn Martin.

She started her career at age 15 in 1978. Her mentor Dr. Randall Lary in Kansas City was kind enough to give her a job cleaning kennels. Throughout her career she had many mentors including her husband, Dr. Bruce Whittle, who have all guided her to become the practitioner she is today.

Dr. Whittle has practiced small-animal medicine and surgery since graduating from the University of Missouri Veterinary Teaching Hospital in 1994.

She and her husband opened Honey Creek Veterinary Hospital in Trenton, Missouri immediately upon graduation. They have two sons, Brandon and Wyatt, who were a daily part of their family business, helping with surgeries, cleaning and entertaining clients.

Gayla was the founder and president of Green Hills Animal Shelter from 1998 to 2018. From 2003 to 2019, she organized and taught novice obedience for her community as well as Puppies for Parole at the local correctional facility. Concerning the care of her patients she says, “God provides me with the tools but he does the rest, all the glory goes to God.”

Dr. Dale Grotelueschen, Harvard, Neb., is Professor Emeritus with University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He was nominated by Dr. Greg Popp. He graduated from the University of MissouriColumbia (MU) with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1974 followed by a Master of Science degree in Clinical Sciences from Colorado State University in 1992.

Following graduation from MU, he engaged in private practice, the first 2 years in dairy practice in Seymour, Wisconsin, and then 9 years in primarily beef cattle practice at Medicine Valley Veterinary Hospital, Curtis, Nebraska, where he was a practice owner, and which grew to a 4-veterinarian practice. A call from UNL resulted in acceptance of a Veterinary Extension and Diagnostics faculty position, serving as Professor and Director of the Panhandle Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, at Scottsbluff, Nebraska, for 16 years. He then served in the Veterinary Operations group of Pfizer Animal Health for 12 years. Following that time, he served as Professor and Director of the UNL Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center, Clay Center, Nebraska, for 6 years.