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Robinson. “People don’t understand the importanceof the presence of alumni. Alumni coming back andhelping the School help create a sense of community.”Dr. Alfred Stevens (LSU SVM 1979), 2004Distinguished AlumnusVeterinarians are an important part of every community,and they see first-hand the human-animal bond withtheir clients and patients; they also experience itthemselves, as Dr. Alfred Stevens, alumnus and donorto the LSU SVM, recounts.“My wife Susan and I reminisce aboutTina, our very first ‘child’ so-to-speak.Tina was a part-Dachshund femalewho came into our life and carvedout a huge chunk of our affection. Assweet as she was, she was also anassassin in dog’s clothing. Tina didn’tdo well will anything that made a squeaking sound(toys, insects, mice, etc). When we heard a squeak,everyone would run to the sound to beat Tina there. Iam proud to say that we accomplished that goal 98% ofthe time and let’s not discuss that other 2%.“At the age of 14 Tina developed thyroid cancer,whichmetastasized to the lungs. Her time remaining withus was short despite all available treatments. On thenight Susan and I decided to let her go, the trip to ourveterinary hospital was the longest two miles I haveever taken. This one life experience has prepared memore than any other to more compassionately relate tothose clients that must also decide as Susan and I didon that night 19 years ago.Giving should nevercome from a feeling ofobligation but out of atrue desire of the heart.were created, the opportunities that havebeen afforded us, and the admiration wehold for our colleagues. I am foreverindebted.“Susan and I consider giving to be an expressionof our overall thanks and recognition that others canbenefit as did we. Giving should never come from afeeling of obligation but out of a true desire of the heart.“I believe wholeheartedly that our time spent both inveterinary school and now as graduates has beenenhanced by those before us who saw a need andsent forth their support to the program.The Aesop saying, ‘No act of kindness,no matter how small, is ever wasted’is so true. This ‘act of kindness’ willalso apply to any gift one may desire tosend. Monetary support will always carryemotional ties; that is ‘should I contributeor should I not conribute.’ All I know is that I have seenwhat this form of support can do and believe that weare all better veterinarians because of it.“Alfred and Susan have four pets: a seven-year-oldboxer, Ruger; and three cats, Willis, Tadpole, and Isis.“Our support for the School comes out of a deeprespect for the exceptional faculty and instructionalsupport staff that molded not only me but our life asa couple. So much of what I observed, learned andemulated enabled me to become the practitioner I amtoday. My family and I owe so much to the School thatwe could never truly repay what we have gleaned fromthe School of Veterinary Medicine throughout the years.We have been blessed by the many friendships thatSusan and Dr. Alfred Stevens with their boxer,Ruger.23