Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 15 hours ago
This holiday season, I want to share a personal story about health, gratitude, and impact from the school. Last month, my wife Kelly and I had our three dogs out for a morning walk. Kelly has helped create the National Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue Network, which paved the way for two new “Berners” in our home. Additionally, we have our long-term family pet, a 14-year-old yellow lab mix named Sadie. Sadie tries to keep up with the youngsters, but about a mile in on our walk, she went down and was unable to stand or use her left rear leg.
Kelly is a veterinary technician and between the two of us, it was obvious that something serious had happened. She fashioned a sling from some of her clothing while I ran back to the car to move it closer for pick up. Physical examination, blood tests, radiographs, and a consultation with one of the school's surgeons determined that she had ruptured her cruciate and was going to need tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery.
A 90-pound dog who cannot stand is a challenge and, in many situations, this might be life-threatening. We are blessed to work and live in a community that supported Sadie and her pet parents. However, we must acknowledge that many animals and their families may not have access to veterinary care. It is with that in mind that we continue to work in various ways to support and grow our Veterinary Access to Care programs. Kelly and I have had the opportunity to work closely with our faculty, staff, and students who provide free veterinary clinics in multiple locations across Northern California. Over the next decade, the school is also committed to expanding our hospital and educational programs to better serve the increasing animal health needs in California.
I am happy to report that while still recuperating, Sadie is now able to stand on her own and is expected to make a full recovery. One of her favorite things to do around the holidays is helping us unwrap gifts and it would have been devasting to Kelly, myself, and the kids to not have her part of our holiday celebration.
This time of year can be filled with many emotions. I am personally extremely grateful for the care our school provides to both animals and people. We are blessed with incredibly knowledgeable and talented teams who care deeply and make a difference.
With Sadie’s story in mind, we were inspired to create a unique Mondays with Mark video that pulls in a holiday favorite. This lighthearted parody is a celebration of all of us! A reminder of the human-animal bond and being grateful for the animals and people that surround us. I hope you enjoy this short video as much as we did making it.
Thanks for being part of our world.
Happy Holiday Season,
Mark Disclaimer: This video was produced before 2025 and may not meet current accessibility standards. These materials are not actively maintained. If you experience difficulty accessing this content or require it in an alternative format, please contact svmcommunications@ucdavis.edu
This holiday season, I want to share a personal story about health, gratitude, and impact from the school. Last month, my wife Kelly and I had our three dogs out for a morning walk. Kelly has helped create the National Bernese Mountain Dog Rescue Network, which paved the way for two new “Berners” in our home. Additionally, we have our long-term family pet, a 14-year-old yellow lab mix named Sadie. Sadie tries to keep up with the youngsters, but about a mile in on our walk, she went down and was unable to stand or use her left rear leg.
Kelly is a veterinary technician and between the two of us, it was obvious that something serious had happened. She fashioned a sling from some of her clothing while I ran back to the car to move it closer for pick up. Physical examination, blood tests, radiographs, and a consultation with one of the school's surgeons determined that she had ruptured her cruciate and was going to need tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) surgery.
A 90-pound dog who cannot stand is a challenge and, in many situations, this might be life-threatening. We are blessed to work and live in a community that supported Sadie and her pet parents. However, we must acknowledge that many animals and their families may not have access to veterinary care. It is with that in mind that we continue to work in various ways to support and grow our Veterinary Access to Care programs. Kelly and I have had the opportunity to work closely with our faculty, staff, and students who provide free veterinary clinics in multiple locations across Northern California. Over the next decade, the school is also committed to expanding our hospital and educational programs to better serve the increasing animal health needs in California.
I am happy to report that while still recuperating, Sadie is now able to stand on her own and is expected to make a full recovery. One of her favorite things to do around the holidays is helping us unwrap gifts and it would have been devasting to Kelly, myself, and the kids to not have her part of our holiday celebration.
This time of year can be filled with many emotions. I am personally extremely grateful for the care our school provides to both animals and people. We are blessed with incredibly knowledgeable and talented teams who care deeply and make a difference.
With Sadie’s story in mind, we were inspired to create a unique Mondays with Mark video that pulls in a holiday favorite. This lighthearted parody is a celebration of all of us! A reminder of the human-animal bond and being grateful for the animals and people that surround us. I hope you enjoy this short video as much as we did making it.
Thanks for being part of our world.
Happy Holiday Season,
Mark Disclaimer: This video was produced before 2025 and may not meet current accessibility standards. These materials are not actively maintained. If you experience difficulty accessing this content or require it in an alternative format, please contact svmcommunications@ucdavis.edu
