Royal Canin has committed $500,000 to establish the Royal Canin Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Endowed Chair at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The endowment will support the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and its nutrition programming in perpetuity.
“Royal Canin is proud to play a role in the future of small animal medicine at Texas A&M University,” said Dr. Todd East, director of veterinary affairs, Royal Canin North America. “Through the support of nutritional programming, students will have the opportunity to directly observe nutrition's role in disease management. This endowment provides a tangible impact on the future of the profession and the patients that will benefit from this support.”
The chair will be held by associate professor Dr. Katie Tolbert, whose work focuses on gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats. She will continue her research through the university’s Gastrointestinal Laboratory, which provides nutritional support for more than 130,000 veterinary patients.
“The endowment will enable me to bridge the gap between research discoveries and clinical practice by building upon Royal Canin's established legacy of translating complex nutritional science into actionable knowledge for veterinary professionals,” said Dr. Tolbert. “Through this position, I will expand and enhance these educational initiatives by developing innovative training modules, evidence-based clinical tools, and practical guidelines that empower veterinary health professionals at all levels to make informed nutritional recommendations with confidence.”
The gift is part of Royal Canin’s broader effort to support veterinary education and science-based nutrition, reinforcing the company’s ongoing collaboration with academic institutions.
