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On June 28, at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) at the 精童欲女, Donna and Richard Hassard, AVC fundraising chairs, will kick off a campaign to raise $7.5 million for the expansion and renovation project slated to break ground this fall.

"We are excited to have leaders of this cailbre forging the way for our fundraising efforts. Donna and Richard's professional and personal experience are a great addition to our team," says Dr. Tim Ogilvie, Dean of AVC. "I am confident that over the next two years we will achieve our target to enabling us to continue our commitment to excellence in research, teaching and service."

Originally from Canada, though they spent 25 years working in the US, the Hassards recently moved to PEI from Manhattan where Richard worked for CIBC. During his career, his responsibilities included global loan distribution with offices in London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Toronto and New York. Donna volunteered extensively with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Hassards have spent the past few months with AVC researchers and students getting to know the various initiatives at AVC. "It didn't take us long to decide that PEI is where we wanted to call home. And once here, it didn't take us long to decide we wanted to be a part of AVC and help the College to continue their work in providing excellent service to Atlantic Canada, top-notch education, and high quality research," says Donna Hassard.

Already, more than $ 1 million has been donated to the College with a significant portion of that coming from two estates. A bequest of $200,000 from the Estate of George Wakeling will go toward the provision of quality care to animals. Wakeling lived in Crapaud, PEI for 15 years with his wife Clarice before moving to Oromocto, NB. He passed away in 2004. His wife predeceased him.

A second bequest of more than $300,000 was made to AVC from the estate of a Rothesay, NB resident who was very fond of animals.

"These generous donations to AVC will support the College's ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service. It is gratifying that the College is attracting such significant support from animal-lovers in the region,"says Richard Hassard. "We are grateful to be remembered in the wills of such compassionate people."

For twenty years, AVC has been Atlantic Canada's Centre of Excellence for veterinary medicine. With more than 800 graduates, a veterinary teaching hospital caring for more than 3,500 large and 5,000 small animals each year, and ongoing world-class research, the College is committed to educate veterinarians, promote animal health, and provide services for the management of the health and well-being of animals.