UF veterinary college names 2010 distinguished award winners

The owner of a Miami-area attraction and the developer of three pet-related businesses joined a retired Jacksonville veterinarian and a small animal surgeon on the list of those honored as 2010 Distinguished Award winners by the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.

Sponsored by the college’s alumni council, the program offers recognition to alumni, faculty and others who have contributed meaningfully to UF and/or to the veterinary profession.

Dena Baker, D.V.M., of Naples, received the college’s Alumni Achievement Award. Baker graduated from the college in 2000 and started Mobile Pet Vet in 2003. She provides full-service, in-home veterinary care to Naples-area pet owners and also cofounded Innovative Veterinary Products, a company that makes disposable items used by veterinarians, in 2004. She recently started a third business, Neapolitan Gourmet Pet Food, which produces high quality, veterinary formulated diets, and is in the process of opening a new pet resort and wellness center with an attached veterinary clinic for dogs and cats.

The Outstanding Young Alumnus Award went to Kristin Kirkby, D.V.M., a board-certified small animal surgeon and 2003 graduate of the college. Kirkby received undergraduate and master’s degrees from UF and stayed at the college to complete her residency in small animal surgery in 2008.

During her training, Kirkby developed a keen interest in physical therapy and postoperative rehabilitation — treatment methods well known in human medicine but less developed in veterinary medicine. As a result of her efforts, the college received funding to implement a physical therapy service, complete with a state-of-the-art underwater treadmill. Kirkby now is a certified canine rehabilitation therapist and serves as director of UF’s Small Animal Rehabilitation and Fitness Center. She also is pursuing a Ph.D. at the college, focusing on the effects of low-level laser therapy on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat.

Russ Snyder, V.M.D., a retired veterinarian from Jacksonville, received the Distinguished Service Award. Since helping with the original plans to establish a veterinary college at UF several decades ago, Snyder has remained an active advocate of the school. He has actively supported the college through local and state veterinary associations as well as politically in the Legislature. As president of the Jacksonville Veterinary Medical Society, Snyder played a key role in establishing two scholarships to benefit UF veterinary students. He also contributed personally and solicited additional private support from colleagues to help build UF’s new small animal hospital.

He has served on the college’s admission committee and has been a member of its advisory committee for more than 25 years.

Bern M. Levine, D.V.M., owner of the Parrot Jungle Island tropical theme park in Miami, received the Special Service Award. Levine received his bachelor’s degree from UF and his veterinary degree from Auburn University. He has supported the UF veterinary college for years by serving on its capital campaign committee and by providing his park as a venue for continuing education and fundraising activities to support UF’s new small animal hospital.

He has supported scholarships for UF veterinary students and has worked to expand the college’s outreach not only in Miami but throughout the state.

The awards were presented May 29 at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts during the college’s commencement exercises.