Season’s Greetings from Gen Kato, DVM

From our veterinary colleague in Japan:

Dear All,

I trust this message finds you well and enjoying the festive season. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! I wanted to drop you a quick note and share some exciting updates from my recent trip to Colorado.

Covid-19 conditions have eased up, allowing me to revisit Colorado State University for the first time in five years. Despite the torturous long flight, the joy of reconnecting with old friends and professors was truly heartwarming. During my visit, I had the pleasure of witnessing the impressive new facilities at CSU, including TMI, a state-of-the-art center for continuing education, SPUR, a place dedicated to citizen learning about animals, soil, and water, and the recently established Dam Friends League, an animal shelter that was the highlight of my trip.

It was incredibly fulfilling to see firsthand the construction and operation of these facilities, especially learning that their existence relies heavily on generous donations. This experience made me realize the importance of fostering a donation culture in Japan and aspiring to build facilities comparable to those at TMI.

In November, we had the honor of inviting President VandeWoude of CSU to Japan. Our courtesy visit to Hokkaido University provided an excellent opportunity for engaging discussions with various professors, fostering valuable exchanges that will contribute to the development of veterinary medicine and science in Japan. Our goal is to establish a Japanese version of TMI and continue our efforts for the betterment of our field.

On a personal note, I turned 91 years old just last year.

Despite the ongoing challenges of Covid-19, I hosted another grand birthday party, and I am sincerely grateful to the many people who attended.

As the year comes to a close, I am eagerly looking forward to the prospect of seeing you again.

Wishing you a bright and joyous New Year filled with prosperity and happiness!

Warm regards,