By Lora Oehlberg
Town Crier Editorial Intern
One local veterinarian’s crusade for the improved treatment of animals gained national attention last month. The American Veterinary Medical Association honored Los Altos veterinarian R.L. Collinson July 14 for his contributions to the advancement of veterinary medical organizations.
Collinson, who practices at the Alpine Animal Hospital in Mountain View, has been active in state and national veterinary associations since 1948.
“I always wanted to see the veterinarian profession elevated. There are so many veterinarians who have worked with, assisted and advised me through the years,” Collinson said.
Collinson’s latest mission has been to strengthen the ties between the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, which he helped found in 1963, and the veterinary profession, focusing efforts on disaster relief.
“Veterinarian philanthropy is the desire to assist veterinary medicine assist animals,” Collinson said. The Foundation finances disaster relief throughout U.S, which is a strong proponent of the human-animal bond. So much is being done to improve the health of people through communication with animals, like with animal visits to hospitals and convalescent homes,” Collinson said.
Collinson, along with several other local veterinarians, has also been a member of the administrative panel on laboratory animal care at Stanford University for 14 years.
The panel checks animal research protocols and ensures that all research is done in a humane manner.
Collinson received his degree in veterinarian medicine in 1942 from Colorado State University.
The recognition from the association is the latest of Collinson’s honors and awards. The veterinarian was also named the California Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinarian of the Year in 1968 and received the association’s President’s Award in 1998. Collinson, however, still stays focused on his job of keeping both humans and animals healthy.
“The foundation must acquire contributions to be used for the betterment of animals, animal life, and public health. Vets are concerned with human health, too,” Collinson said.
The foundation is a professional organization of 66,000 veterinarians, committed to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, including its role in public health and agriculture.
Alpine Animal Hospital is located at 2460 W. El Camino Real in Mountain View. For more information, call 650-969-8555.
