INAUGURAL LEO AWARD-The Family of Man-Human and Animal Welfare
INAUGURAL LEO AWARD
Human and Animal Welfare
The Family of Man
The Family of Man
Presented to Dr. Alice Villalobos
February 01, 2014
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. Today, this deficit is being answered with the initiation of the Inaugural LEO AWARD!
This award is named after two different Leo's who have walked this earth with kindness and humility 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.
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.
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!
Dr. Leo Bustad
Dr. Leo Buscaglia
She is a founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society, the Association of Veterinary Family Practice and the International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care. Alice is the orginator of the Peter Zippi Memorial Fund which has assisted in placing thousands of animals into quality homes of love. She received the UC Davis Alumni Achievement Award and the Leo Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian Award for her pioneering role in bringing oncology services to companion animal practice.
With forty years of experience in the cancer care of animals, she is still very active lecturing at regional and national meetings. Dr. Villalobos is President Emeritus of the Society of Veterinary Medical Ethics and the author of Canine and Feline Geriatric Oncology-Honoring the Human-Animal Bond. It is my honor to know her and, once again, honor her accomplishments as the first recipient of the LEO AWARD on 01Feb2014.
Many who do not know Dr. Villalobos will ask why Alice has she been chosen to receive the Inaugural Leo Award. To those, I can only save it is more than deserving. The LEO AWARD will not be given only to those in animal care. This award is about The Family of Man! Leo Bustad and Leo Buscaglia would be good friends if they were with us today. To honor their accomplishments, the LEO AWARD has been created to stimulate others to not just talk about change but make positive change. Dr. Alice Villalobos represents such selflessness. To her this day we say: Thank You!
With Dr. Alice Villalobos, his oncologist.
Magellan had Multiple Myeloma or bone marrow cancer.
He is 14 years, 5 months old in this photo.
Magellan had Multiple Myeloma or bone marrow cancer.
He is 14 years, 5 months old in this photo.
Magellan had Multipne marrow cancer.
He is 14 years, 5 months old in this photo.
Inaugural Leo Award-01Feb2014
Recipient: Dr. Alice Villalobos-Animal Oncologist and Humanitarian
Questions: Contact Dr. Don DeForge at: DoctorDeForge@yahoo.com
If you would like to nominate an individual[s] fro the Leo Award please write to this same address. Your nomination[s] will be welcomed.
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