Banfield Charitable Trust Raises Great Funds at International Pet Health Summit (August 2004)
PORTLAND, Ore. ~ Banfield, The Pet Hospital® recently hosted more than 50 veterinary business leaders from around the world at the third annual Pet Health Industry Summit in Portland, August 18-20, 2004. As part of the event, the Banfield Charitable Trust held a fundraising auction that raised an impressive $79,000. The non-profit foundation provides funding to help families afford quality Pet healthcare, and supports research and scholarship programs at veterinary schools.
The Banfield Charitable Trust was introduced to industry supporters for the first time during last year's Pet Health Summit in Portland. "Over the past year, we have demonstrated our commitment to veterinary medicine by awarding grants for research and childhood education," said Sandy Campbell, Chairman of the Board for the Trust. "Our outstanding success at this year's event reflects industry support for our plans, which are to give back to the communities we serve by expanding our community grants program, and providing preventive healthcare for Pets in need." Recently, the Trust also received an impressive donation of $25,000 from Biological Arts Group (BAG. BAG is a group of medical professionals, sculptors and graphic artists who produce creative visual aids for use in human and animal medicine. "It gives me goosebumps to be able to support the Charitable Trust at this level," said Barry Goldberg, DVM, owner and founder of BAG. "The Trust is one of the most innovative charities, because it goes to the community to help those who can't afford high quality healthcare for Pets. There's not much else out there to help with that need."
Banfield developed the Industry Summit to create a forum for veterinary practice leaders, vendors, distributors and educators from around the world to develop working relationships and discuss universal topics that affect the future of veterinary medicine. Participants represented many of the industry's leading companies, including Antech Diagnostics, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Pfizer Animal Health, Mars, Inc., Iams Company, BAG Enterprises, MWI Veterinary Supply Co., and Royal Canin USA, Inc. Educators present were deans, Shirley Johnston, DVM, of Western University, and Francisco Trigo, DVM, of the National Autonomous University of Mexico.
"The Industry Summit is one of the only times leaders from these key organizations can get together in one place and discuss issues that will affect the future of our profession," said Scott Campbell, DVM, Banfield's Chairman and CEO. "The summit helps foster discussion among many leaders in the Pet Health industry, and provides a way to get the best thinking on issues that will effect their organizations." Attendees spend their time in work sessions discussing such topics as professional and product liability, building relationships, and opportunities to grow and strengthen the industry. A Wednesday night dinner aboard the Willamette Star Cruise ship created a relaxed environment for participants to get to know each other - and even their competitors - and talk about ways to improve the profession as a whole.
An awards banquet at the Governor Hotel honored several of Banfield's most valued partners, naming Idexx Laboratories as Best Overall Partner for excellence in helping Banfield grow and increase efficiency, providing quality new products and offering educational support for doctors. Other award winners were Fort Dodge Animal Health for Best New Product (Duramune Adult); MWI Veterinary Supply Inc. and Antech Diagnostics tied for Best Service Level; Bayer for Best Educational Program; RemoteVet for Best Clinical Advancement; and Iams and Datamars for Industry Leadership.
Since Dr. Campbell and his wife Sandy purchased the original Banfield Pet Hospital and Health Center in Portland in 1986, Banfield has become the largest private veterinary practice in the world, with 400 high-quality, general practice hospitals in the United States and two in the United Kingdom. With future growth plans that include opening 100 hospitals in 2005 and further international expansion, Banfield recognizes the valuable role its industry partners will play in helping shape the future of veterinary medicine.
Banfield, The Pet Hospital is committed to giving Pets the same quality of care that human family members receive. The hospitals provide comprehensive, quality medical services, state-of-the-art instrumentation, computerized medical records, Pet health Optimum Wellness Plans® and extended operating hours. Banfield, The Pet Hospital helps extend the lives of more than 2.5 million Pets each year.