Chambliss Wins Ted Beyer Award

Dr. Melvin Chambliss, associate
professor, Agriculture and Horticulture Department at Alfred State College, has
been chosen by the Hornell Area Humane Society Board of Directors to receive
the Dr. Ted Beyer Award at the Humane Society's fifth annual "Black Cat Event,"
Saturday, Oct. 13, 2007. 

The award,
named for Dr. Ted Beyer, was established five years ago when the Hornell Area
Humane Society wanted a way to honor Beyer for his years of endless commitment
to shelter vet medicine and shelter animals.  Dr. Beyer was a veterinary
"icon" in the area who treated countless numbers of animals.  The award honors people who emulate Beyer's
caring attributes.

Chambliss
was chosen on the basis of his commitment to helping animal shelters and the
animals served by the Humane Society. 

"The Alfred State College
veterinary technology program and the Hornell Area Humane Society enjoy a
unique relationship," says Wendy Dresser-Recktenwald, CEO, Hornell Area Humane
Society Board of Directors.  "Both programs are ‘futuristic' in the way
they want to see sheltering vet medicine evolve and together the two programs
make an incredible team.  Many shelter animals are able to be vaccinated,
diagnosed, treated, spayed, and neutered at the hands of the veterinary team at
Alfred State College and the vet tech students.  Students and staff have
the opportunity to view unique cases and situations that might not be seen in a
regular veterinarian's office.  Students are able to conduct behavioral
assessments and health evaluations on animals who have been ‘society's
outcasts,'" Dresser-Recktenwald notes.

This fall, the vet tech program
started transporting students to the Hornell Area Humane Society for
"hands-on" labs in the shelter environment.  Dr.
Chambliss has assumed the role of director of shelter veterinarian care for the
Hornell Area Humane Society and the society works with almost every local
veterinarian in the area to help the animals.  Chambliss gives suggestions
on disease control, and he leads free rabies clinics vaccinating on average 150
animals in two hours. 

"The public loves him at rabies clinics
because he is soft spoken and gentle with the animals, and more
importantly, great with the people.  Having both the bedside manner
with the animals and the ability to appropriately communicate with the owners
of the animals and the shelter staff has made Dr. Chambliss a valued asset to
the vet medicine community," continued 
Dresser-Recktenwald.

Chambliss is currently working with
the Hornell Area Humane Society to develop and design a plan for a regional
clinic that would offer low-cost spay and neuter procedures.  Pet
overpopulation is a huge concern in America, especially in rural
areas.  Many pet owners have good intentions but do not have the money to
cover basic pet care.  A low-cost spay and neuter program would help
reduce animal over population and help educate the community. 

Animal disaster preparedness is
also an important part of sheltering vet medicine; the two programs will be
working together on these initiatives.  The Hornell Area Humane Society is
also a member of the Alfred State College Tech Prep/Career Pathways grant.

"The Hornell Area Humane Society is
fortunate to have Mel Chambliss and the Vet Tech program on our team," said
Dresser-Recktenwald.

Chambliss,
who began his duties at the College in 1999, teaches courses in the veterinary
technology area and serves as the curriculum coordinator for veterinary
technology program.

Chambliss
also serves as the head of Veterinary Technician magazine editorial
board.

Prior to
joining the Alfred State College faculty, Chambliss worked as an associate
professor in the vet tech program at Michigan State University, at SUNY (State
University of New York) at Delhi, and he served his residency in veterinary
pathology at Cornell University.

Chambliss
holds his doctor of veterinary medicine and bachelor of science in animal
science degrees from Tuskegee
University.

Chambliss
is a member of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE) where
he serves as a director at large and the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA).