Richard Meadows, DVM and clinical associate professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine, recently received the 2006 Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award, one of veterinary medicine's highest honors.

The award recognizes the outstanding work of veterinarians in protecting and promoting the human-animal bond.

The award is named for the late Dr. Leo K. Bustad, former president of the Delta Society, dean of the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and a pioneer in recognizing the importance of the human-animal bond. The award is sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Delta Society, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

"Dr. Meadows is the consummate clinical educator who has a deep understanding of the important relationships between people and animals and works tirelessly to impart this understanding to his students,” said Dr. Cecil Moore, director of the MU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “We are proud to count him as one of our outstanding faculty members and we are extremely pleased that he has received this well-deserved national recognition."

Dr. Meadows is also the faculty advisor for MU’s Pet Assisted Love and Support, PALS—students and their pets who visit children’s hospitals, retirement homes and other areas where the emotional well-being of people are enhanced by interacting with animals. Dr. Meadows has also conducted research into therapeutic benefits of the human-animal bond.

Dr. Meadows earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from West Texas State University in 1977 and a bachelor's degree in veterinary science from Texas A&M in 1980. He obtained his DVM degree from Texas A&M in 1981. Since arriving at MU in 1999, he has received the Norden Distinguished Teacher Award, the Aesculapius Teaching Award, and the Golden Chalk Award.

There have been 20 Bustad winners since 1986 when the award was first given.

The award is not the first for Dr. Meadows at MU. He was among 10 MU educators who won the 2005 William T. Kemper Fellowships for Teaching Excellence. Like the Bustad Award, Dr. Meadows had been secretly nominated by students and colleagues.

Dr. Meadows has a "passion for teaching," says his Kemper citation. He devotes 85 percent of his efforts to clinical teaching, and students identify him as "one of the best teachers in the college." One student said: "His enthusiasm is contagious and his sense of humor and light-heartedness uplifting." Colleagues noted "his obvious love of veterinary medicine as a profession and deep commitment to molding his young colleagues."

Although he considers teaching to be his primary responsibility at MU, Dr. Meadows also actively seeks funding to enhance the College's teaching facilities and technologies. He has received more than $445,000 in grants that have been used for a variety of projects including the purchase of specialized equipment for veterinary dentistry instruction and the remodeling and expansion of Clydesdale Hall, the veterinary medical teaching hospital.

Return to News and Events home