Grateful client providing financial support by establishing a veterinary scholarship

Bobbie Jean Smith’s first visit to The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center involved not one but two of her Tennessee Walkers on the same day. Her horse Charger had suffered a hind leg laceration, and her other horse, Chiefie, had severe lameness in a front leg that had been diagnosed elsewhere as a small fracture at the knee. 

Bobbie Jean appreciated the level of expertise of both the veterinarians and students and felt their competence was evident with each visit. “All staff members were caring, conscientious and thorough while examining and treating my horses. In addition, communication relating to what had happened, how it will be treated, and most importantly, what to do upon returning home, hours away from the clinic, was thorough and often lowered the stress level associated with the situation,” she said. “The resources for diagnosing health issues and treating them once they have been identified are first class.”

Bobbie Jean is a retired public educator in rural West Virginia and has too often seen very bright, and capable students demonstrate little or no hope for post-secondary education because of the insurmountable cost. Animals have always been a huge part of her life, so the decision to support students seeking education in large animal veterinary medicine was a decision that had been in place for a long time. 

“The jobs in rural West Virginia continue to disappear, and the lack of economic opportunity limits families’ ability to offer financial help for their children’s college education. I hope that by providing scholarship assistance to Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the limited number of large animal vets in rural West Virginia will increase,” she said. 

Bobbie Jean sees a great need for scholarship support as the wage gap widens and understands that communities will benefit as these educated students take their productive place in society. Bobbie Jean and her family had long intended to offer help for students who face the reality of the burden of cost. 

“The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center has on multiple occasions provided excellent care for the health needs of my equine family, and it is nice to be able to reciprocate with financial support by starting a veterinary scholarship through my estate plans,” she said.