Winn Feline Foundation
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vicki Thayer, DVM, DABVP (Feline)
Executive Director
Winn Feline Foundation
888-963-6946, extension 702
Media Info
Sharon Granskog
Assistant Director, Media Relations
American Veterinary Medical Association
847-285-6619
Media Info
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wyckoff, NJ, Schaumburg, IL, August 9, 2016: Ms. Elizabeth Rosalia is the 2016 Winn Feline Foundation and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) joint annual Student Scholarship recipient. The Winn Board of Directors at their annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV selected Ms. Rosalia, a DVM student due to graduate in 2017 from University of California-Davis, for the $2500 scholarship.
After growing up with cats in her household and graduating from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Biology in 2013, Elizabeth volunteered at the Animal Rescue League of Boston as a “Feline Friend”. The experience of cleaning cages and feeding cats followed by socializing them for the adoption floor gave her deeper insight into cat behavior. Such insight is important in a shelter setting in determining which cats need more socialization and which are ready for adoption.
After moving to California to pursue her DVM degree at the University of California-Davis, Elizabeth continued her volunteer work with animals, especially cats. She has been extensively involved for the past three years with the Sacramento SPCA’s Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program. Elizabeth has extended her outreach to help Mercer Veterinary Clinic for the Homeless coordinate free wellness and spay/neuter services in Sacramento plus other programs that reach other parts of California, Arizona and Nicaragua. She is also active in the Orphan Kitten Project at UC-Davis where orphan kittens are bottle fed until they can find a forever home.
“Winn Feline Foundation selects a student annually who best demonstrates leadership qualities, high scholastic capabilities, financial need and who also demonstrates a passion for cats and improving their health status”, commented Vicki Thayer, DVM, DABVP (Feline),Winn Executive Director. “Elizabeth told us about adopting her two cats, Apollo and Starbuck, after arriving in California and training the cats to have their teeth brushed daily”. As an advocate for increased environmental enrichment for cats, she is a member of both the Behavior Medicine Club and Feline Medicine Club. After graduating, her goal is to work for a Cat Friendly Practice®.
Winn Feline Foundation and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) join together annually in presenting two awards designed to promote and encourage feline health studies by both established veterinary research scientists and by those entering this field of study. Winn Feline Foundation and American Veterinary Medical Foundation are pleased to collaborate in this effort to focus attention on care for “Every Cat, Every Day”.
About Winn Feline Foundation
Winn Feline Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1968 that supports studies to improve cat health. Since 1968, Winn Feline Foundation has funded over $5.6 million in health research for cats at more than 30 partner institutions worldwide. This funding is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. Research supported by Winn Feline Foundation helps veterinarians by providing educational resources that improve treatment of common feline health problems and prevent many diseases. Grants are awarded at least twice yearly with the help of the foundation’s expert review panel. For further information, go to www.winnfelinefoundation.org.
About the American Veterinary Medical Foundation
The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 88,000 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. For more than 50 years, the Foundation has been helping veterinarians help animals with support for education, advocacy, service and research programs and activities. Visit AVMF.org to learn more.