STEVENSON COMPANION ANIMAL LIFE-CARE CENTER

The Stevenson Companion Animal Life-Care Center provides for the physical, emotional, and medical needs of companion animals whose owners are no longer able to provide that care. Clients of the center include pet owners who want to ensure their pet’s future prior to entering a retirement home, being hospitalized for an extended period, or predeceasing their pet.

The center was established by the college in 1993, at the suggestion of Dr. E.W. “Ned” Ellett, former head of the Small Animal Clinical Sciences department. Dr. Ellett’s dream became a reality with generous donations from the Luse Foundation and Mrs. Madlin Stevenson. Mrs. Stevenson said she chose to support the center because, “animals are especially important to the elderly and this center is dedicated to them and their pets.” Mrs. Stevenson, a life-long animal lover, passed away in September of 2000, and her four cats, seven dogs, pony, and llama came to reside at the center. The center is a focal point of compassion for animals and dedication to their optimum care for life in a home-like environment.

In May of 2021 the center was honored to welcome the retired mascot of Texas A&M, Reveille IX, who will spend her retirement at the Stevenson Center. Her predecessor, Reveille VIII, also spent her retirement at the Stevenson Center. It is truly a privilege to care for A&M’s revered mascots in their retirement years. They have earned a restful retirement after representing the university so loyally.

Dr. Sonny Presnal, the center’s Director for nearly 25 years, retired in August of 2022. The center has grown exponentially under his leadership. Dr. Presnal will continue as a member of the center’s Advisory Board.

The center is proud to announce that the new Director, Dr. Sam G. Miller, joined the center on August 1. Dr. Miller owned a veterinary clinic in Houston for 26 years prior to this appointment. He is also active in organized veterinary medicine as a Past President of the TVMA and currently on the Board of Directors for the AVMA. Dr. Miller’s guidance will assure the center’s continued success.

About the Stevenson Center:

• The center is beginning its 30th year of operation.

• Companion animals can live out their lives at the center in a homelike environment after their owners can no longer care for them.

• 122 pets have lived out their lives at the center since 1993.

• Over 730 companion animals, owned by 302 owners from 34 states and one country outside of the U.S., are enrolled to enter the center when their owners can no longer care for them.

• Four veterinary medical students live at the center to care for the resident pets on nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Four full time caretakers and four student workers provide care for the resident pets during the week.

• The center is located next door to the VMTH, which provides exceptional veterinary care for the resident pets.

The VMBS Development Team is committed to building relationships between the school and friends of the school who have an interest in enhancing its financial resources. In the process of carrying out this commitment, the Development Team makes numerous individual and group presentations on the wide variety of activities that take place at the VMBS.

Scholarships

One of the VMBS's top priorities is scholarship support for our students, while providing them with an education that utilizes the finest in modern educational methods and technologies. The DVM program is one of the largest in the country, while the college’s BIMS program is the largest undergraduate degree-granting program on Texas A&M’s campus. Endowed scholarships for students pursuing these degrees begin at $25,000.

Thank Your Donor Day

VMBS Office of Development hosted its 2nd annual “Thank Your Donor Day” in August. This event brought together over 500 DVM and over 50 BIMS students. This was a time for these scholarship recipients to grab a snack, and take a moment to write their donor a personalized note of thanks.

VMBS Scholarships

Students at Thank Your Donor Day

This grateful atmosphere offered the opportunity for the VMBS Development Team to meet these students and hear the positive impact that donors are providing. With tuition cost being over $13,000 per semester, scholarship support takes some of the financial hardship off their students' shoulders, so they can focus on their studies.

DVM Class Endowed Students' Scholarships

The DVM Endowed Class Scholarship Initiative encourages each graduating class to create an endowed scholarship in its class name. Several graduating classes have already surpassed the $25,000 endowment level. Many former students use this vehicle to memorialize classmates by giving to a deceased classmate’s class scholarship fund in their memory.

Next-Generation Small Animal Teaching & Research Hospital (NGSATRH)

The top priority for the VMBS is to build a new, Next-Generation Small Animal Teaching & Research Hospital (NGSATRH), a place where we can provide an exemplary education to the next generation of veterinarians and leading-edge care available nowhere else in Texas. The vision for the NGSATRH is rooted in Aggie excellence and the commitment we have made to provide students with the very best veterinary education. It is the embodiment of selfless service to the companion animals of Texas and beyond, and it is a bridge to the future of medicine and science through collaborative partnerships, a focus on clinical trials, and advancements in leading-edge, research-driven patient care.

Texas A&M President M. Katherine Banks announced NGSATRH as one of her top priorities, this project has received funding from the Texas Legislature and Texas’ Permanent University Fund. This generous support, in addition to private philanthropy, will allow our school to bring forth a visionary new hospital poised to become a national leader in veterinary education and research.

OUT OF 662 STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS

BIMS DVM

44 500

OUT OF 2,468 STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS

STUDENTS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 882 NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS

BIMS

44

STUDENTS RECEIVED 54 NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS

DVM

$492,000

DIFFERENTIAL TUITION FUND AWARDED

BIMS

$43,875

DVM DVM

DIFFERENTIAL TUITION FUND AWARDED

TOTAL DISTRIBUTION BIMS

500 $1,886,040 $63,000

TOTAL DISTRIBUTION