Royal Canin Invests $500K in Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Royal Canin, a global leader in pet health nutrition and one of the billion-dollar brands of Mars, Incorporated, has contributed $500,000 to the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences for the creation of the Royal Canin Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Endowed Chair. This gift serves as a large-scale investment into the future of veterinary medicine, benefiting the continuity and preservation of this VMBS Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences faculty position in perpetuity with direct impact to veterinary coursework and nutritional programming.
This endowment represents a meaningful investment in the longevity of veterinary education and showcases Royal Canin’s commitment to empowering future and current veterinarians in support of its purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. With this investment, Texas A&M University is equipped to grow its nutritional programming through increased curriculum development, paired with clinical service experience and nutrition consultation services for veterinary referrals. The Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Service, housed within the VMBS’ Gastrointestinal Laboratory provides nutritional support for more than 130,000 patients and the veterinarians who utilize the lab’s services.
“Royal Canin is proud to play a role in the future of small animal medicine at Texas A&M University,” said Dr. Todd East, director of veterinary affairs, Royal Canin North America. “Through the support of nutritional programming, students will have the opportunity to directly observe nutrition’s role in disease management. This endowment provides a tangible impact on the future of the profession and the patients that will benefit from this support.”
Associate professor Dr. Katie Tolbert will serve as the inaugural recipient of the endowed chair position, where she will continue her work within the university’s Gastrointestinal Laboratory. Dr. Tolbert’s research programming centers around the treatment of acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats, leading her to author more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. In addition to adjunct faculty work across other veterinary programs, Dr. Tolbert also serves on a global gastrointestinal scientific advisory board for Royal Canin.
“The endowment will enable me to bridge the gap between research discoveries and clinical practice by building upon Royal Canin’s established legacy of translating complex nutritional science into actionable knowledge for veterinary professionals,” said Dr. Katie Tolbert. “Through this position, I will expand and enhance these educational initiatives by developing innovative training modules, evidence-based clinical tools and practical guidelines that empower veterinary health professionals at all levels to make informed nutritional recommendations with confidence.”
Royal Canin has a long history of investing in veterinary education for students, technicians and practitioners. Dr. Tolbert gives more than 50 CE presentations globally each year. This endowment continues Royal Canin’s legacy in promoting education and science-based nutrition for the veterinary community.