Leo Award II-Recipient Dr. Sophia Yin

 LEO AWARD II

Human and Animal Welfare
The Family of Man

Recipient of the 2nd Leo Award

Dr. Sophia Yin 

09Feb2015

Presented Posthumously

"The world is not Conclusion~A Sequel stands beyond-Invisible as music~

but Positive as sound!" Emily Dickinson

February 09, 2015

DH DeForge, VMD

     How many people pass through this world performing acts of kindness with compassion for man and animal that are never acknowledged.  We honor athletes, politicians, the arts, academic achievement, and a few true heroes every year.  What about the unsung hero who has never composed a song that everyone recognizes; the person who has never won a World Series, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, World Cup, NBA Championship etc; or the person who has not found fame as a Senator, Congressperson, or President.  

   This award is named after two different Leo's who have walked this earth with kindness and humility while serving others.  You can read the mini-biographies of Dr. Leo Bustad and Dr. Leo Buscaglia below:

A Biography: Dr. Leo K. Bustad-1920-1998

A Stanwood, WA native, Leo K. Bustad was born January 10, 1920. He earned a bachelor's degree in Agriculture (1941), a master's degree in animal nutrition (1948), and a DVM (1949), all from WSU.

He received a PhD in physiology in 1960 from the University of Washington School of Medicine, where earlier he completed a postdoctoral fellowship from the National Science Foundation.  As dean from 1973-83, Bustad is credited with rebuilding the veterinary program from one on provisional accreditation status to one of the most respected in the country. In 1985, the $11.3 million Veterinary Science Building was dedicated in his honor.

Also in 1985, Bustad received the WSU Regents' Distinguished Alumnus Award - the 20th alumnus to be recognized with the university's highest honor.  Bustad spent a majority of his adult life devoted to work on the human-animal bond and became known as a pioneer in Human-Animal Bond theory and application.  To most, Leo Bustad has been recognized at "The Father of the Human-Animal Bond."

Under the leadership of Michael McCulloch, MD, William McCulloch, DVM, and others, the Delta Foundation was established in 1977 in Portland, Oregon. In 1979, Bustad and Linda Hines founded the People-Pet Partnership at WSU, the first university-based community service program on the Human-Animal Bond. They joined forces with the McCullochs, and in 1981 the Delta Foundation became the Delta Society, headquartered at WSU.

Bustad was named first Chair of this now international nonprofit association, which at its onset focused much energy on work to understand the quality of the relationship between pet owners, pets, and care givers (hence the "delta" name based on this triangle). 

Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award:
Named for the late Leo K. Bustad, DVM, PhD, a former dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and a past president of the Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society), this award was developed to recognize the outstanding work of veterinarians in preserving and protecting human-animal relationships. The Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award is co-sponsored by the AVMA, Pet Partners, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

A Biography: Dr. Leo Buscaglia-1924-1998

Born in Los Angeles, California----- Felice Leonardo Buscaglia was the youngest of four children of Italian immigrants.  He was born Roman Catholic and influenced by Buddhism in his adult life.
He received his bachelor's master's, and doctorate degrees from USC and later became a faculty member at the same school.

His life was influenced by one of his students.  While teaching in the Department of Special Education at USC in the 1960's, one of his students committed suicide. He called her one of the sets of "kind eyeballs" he always looked for in an auditorium.....because her responses showed that at least one student was hearing what he said. The news that she had killed herself changed Leo's life. He said after her death, "What are we doing stuffing facts into people and forgetting they are human beings."

This loss led him to initiate a course at USC labeled Love 1A.  There were no grades. What was shared in that popular weekly class became a book with the simple title,LOVE.  Buscaglia said he never taught the course but facilitated the class.  He said many times that he learned more in that class than anyone else.

The class became so popular that PBS asked for him to record his lectures in front of live audiences for television.  He was lumped into the category of motivational speakers but was much more than that.  He changed peoples lives and gave them a new perspective on caring, loving, and sharing. His one book led to his writing many other books.  At one time, five of his books were on the NY Times Best Sellers List simultaneously.

Buscaglia was once described as a teacher whose classroom became the world. Eleven million copies of his books were sold in the United Stages by the time of his death from a heart attack in 1998.  Leo once said, "he never imagined Italians would need an American to remind them of the importance of food, family, sharing, and love of life," because he had been given these gifts from his Italian parents!  His study of love brought him to a better understanding of life.  

Dr. Buscaglia has affected my own life and although I never met him I did correspond with him. He always answered in hand written responses.  His one statement that has guided my life is the following: "It's not enough to have lived.  We should determine to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others; sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind; bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely. Only you will be able to discover, realize, develop, and actualize your uniqueness and when you do it's your duty to then give it away."

The LEO AWARD is not presented as a plaque; it is not presented on television or at a festival of stars.  It is a PEOPLES AWARD.  It is given as a gift; it is a form of love; and it comes from deep inside those who have been honored to have met, read, or heard the recipient[s] speak.  The LEO AWARD is a statement that recognizes the recipient[s] as a disciple[s] of Leo Bustad and Leo Buscaglia.  Nothing less and nothing more!

A Tribute to Dr. Sophia Yin-Recipient of Leo Award II

It is never easy to say good-bye.  It is especially hard when it is a friend or someone who is a mentor.  I was privileged to have Dr. Sophia Yin as my unofficial mentor and also on my past AM radio program-Animal ER and the Human-Animal Bond.

She spoke with gentleness about the importance of caring for all members of the animal kingdom.  She said that pet dogs that were aggressive needed special attention and could be changed.  She lived by reinforcing good behaviors--------positive reinforcement was her way of life.

As we spoke on the radio, I became her friend as she welcomed the audience to participate in the Human-Animal Bond by teaching love.  Her job was not easy and she worked hard to bring companions with advanced social and behavioral inadequacies back to their owners.  She found the unconditional love in her patients that was hidden behind a cloud of fear.  Just think what a gift that is.....she had the gift to bring human and animal together as she celebrated the uniqueness of the Human-Animal Bond.  Her life was about gentleness.  She stated, "dogs respond more predictably when your tone of voice is positive that when a command is stated in a angry or gloomy manner!"

I will miss Sophia.  I never got to meet her as our paths never crossed at the many meetings at which she lectured.  She trained the pet advocate, the veterinarian, and many patients throughout her lifetime.  She made a difference!

 I quote my special friend Leo Buscaglia frequently in my blogs...he writes..."Starting each day, I shall try to learn something new about me and about you and about the world I live in, so that I may continue to experience all things as if they had been newly born."  

Sophia each day...."experienced all things as if they had been newly born."  She shared her love with all that she touched.  We miss you Sophia but will keep you in our hearts and minds.  We will continue to do what you so courageously taught us to do.....return unconditional love to the patients we have been given the privilege to meet, treat, and help.  Good night my friend.  I will never forget you!

Below you will read a short story of Dr. Sophia Yin's life from DVM360.

Veterinary community stunned by Sophia Yin's unexpected death

Prominent veterinary behaviorist died of suicide Sept. 28. 2014

 

by dvm360.com staff

dvm360

Dr. Sophia YinMembers of the international veterinary community are stunned and saddened by the unexpected loss of Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, DACVB, an applied animal behaviorist, trainer, author and lecturer. According to herobituary in the Sacramento Bee, Yin, 48, died of suicide on Sept. 28 in her home in Davis, California.

An announcement on Yin's official website and Facebook page states, "It is with deep sadness and heartfelt sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Sophia Yin ... She enriched many lives and improved the relationship amongst pets and their owners/guardians. She is, and will continue to be, sorely missed." The announcement received thousands of shares, comments and notes of condolence on Facebook.

"America's veterinarian" Dr. Marty Becker wrote a tribute to Yin on his blog, stating that "Sophia was brilliant, passionate, and dedicated to easing the stress and fear that pets feel at the veterinary clinic or in shelters, and this is a major loss to animals. Sophia and her team were revolutionizing animal handling with her 'Stress Less' materials and teaching, and I think the greatest gift all of us could give her is to honor her memory by working doggedly to make sure her vision becomes reality."

Andy Roark, DVM, also posted on Facebook: "It was with shock and heartache that I learned last night that Dr. Yin passed away. She was a champion for pets and for veterinary medicine. She changed the way I handle and treat patients. She made me, and countless others, better healers. The lessons she taught will not be forgotten." And certified animal behavior consultant and author Steve Dale also wrote a heartfelt tribute to Yin on Monday, telling readers, "It was an honor and pleasure to know Dr. Yin. I admired her as a presenter and communicator ... If she only knew how profound her impact was and will continue to be."

According to her official website, Yin’s mission in life was to improve our understanding of animals and their behavior so that we can care for, appreciate, and enjoy our time with them better. Her animal behavior modification and training programs were based on the science of learning, and she was dedicated to helping people communicate with pets in a positive, scientifically sound way.

Yin earned her veterinary degree at UC-Davis in 1993, and later her master’s in animal science with an emphasis in animal behavior in 2001. She authored many books and textbooks, including Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs & Cats; The Small Animal Veterinary Nerdbook; How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves andPerfect Puppy in 7 Days: How to Start Your Puppy Off Right. She was an award-winning columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle for five years and had her own publishing company, Cattle Dog Publishing.

She has consulted for several zoos and served as a behavior expert for TV shows such as Animal Planet’s Dogs 101 and Weird, True & Freaky. Yin also served on the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Handling Guidelines Committee and served on the executive board of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. She was a valued contributor to dvm360.com and has given numerous lectures at CVC. 

Commentary by Dr. Don DeForge on Sophia Yin

Recipient of Leo Award II

Dr, Yin will always be one of my heroes.  In my office, I have a short list of heroes in my life.  My parents top the list and then there are eight others.

Sophia is one of those eight.  I was fortunate enough to be on the interview side of the microphone at a local AM Radio station in Connecticut, that I hosted, where I had the privilege on two different occasions to ask Dr. Yin the questions about behavior and training of companion animals. I had struggled over four decades, as a general practitioner, with difficult behavioral problems. I was amazed by her affirmation of all that I had done.  I told her that I felt inadequate in certain behavioral cases and called on Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.  Even these specialists came up empty at times but they all shared a desire to make a difference in a companion's life.  

Through our conversations she told me that caring is the most important role of any veterinarian in behavioral problems.  She identified and explained what her definition was of "low stress handling and pet-friendly techniques!"  She sent me three of her books and told me she was only a keystroke; text; or phone call away if I ever needed help with any patient.  

There was a calmness in her voice and she always made you a believer that with love and gentleness a life could change.  She was not an idealist and understood that there is no such thing as one hundred percent success in all cases.  She was positive; she was unstoppable; she was relentless; and she was most of all loving to all members of the Animal Kingdom.

Many would question: "Why does the 2nd Leo Award become bestowed on a person who is not with us?"  The answer is simple.  Dr. Bustad's and Dr. Buscaglia's legacy is that their message can never be lost with death.  Even with Dr. Sophia Yin's passing, her message is strong; it is magical; and it will live on forever.

Emily Dickinson writes: "The World is not Conclusion~a Sequel stands beyond~

Invisible as music~But positive as sound!"

The music of Dr. Sophia Yin plays on every day in my mind; in my heart; and will always be a part of the soul that directs my daily actions.  Her legacy continues in her behaviorist disciples; her videos; and her books.  Read Sophia's lessons in the Human-Animal Bond; become strengthened by Dr. Sophia Yin; and take her message to those that you have the privilege to meet, greet, and help!

Comments by Dr. Kate Crumley, AAHA President [2014]

Dr. Sophia Yin

Dr. Sophia Yin was a great ally to AAHA, serving with us in many different roles: author, task force participant, learning facilitator. But, she was so much more than that. She was a leader. A visionary. A friend. Sophia was a visionary for both pets and their people. Though she is gone, her contributions will continue to have a lasting impact for years to come.

She will be missed.

"Dr. Yin is one of my heroes! Everyone who knew her will miss her presentations; her contributions were always excellent, funny, memorable, and practical. Students all know her NerdBook, too. She contributed a unique voice to our veterinary profession. Her approach to spreading understanding the daily use of behavioral science within veterinary hospitals helped untold numbers of animals. Sharing her techniques for low-stress handling provided many young (and a few old-dog) veterinarians access to handling skills that were never previously specifically outlined in any text or classroom. It is difficult to know she is gone and important that we honor her by continuing to forward her work." --Kate Crumley, DVM, AAHA president

Comments about this blog please direct to Dr. Don DeForge-Medical Director: Silver Sands Veterinary Center-Milford, CT at DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com

09Feb2015