Dr. Thayer is focused on collaboration with other Foundations and organizations. Her efforts have led to the development of both the Winn/American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) Veterinary Student Scholarship and Excellence in Feline Research Award. Her most recent collaborative effort on behalf of Winn has been in working together with AVMF, American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), and the Morris Animal Foundation to create and fund feline-focused health studies coalition under the umbrella of the Cat Health Network. “We’re intent on elevating the status and funding for cat health research,” says Dr. Thayer. “Even after 40 years, the Winn Feline Foundation continues to be a significant contributor to everything we know about cats.”
Dr. Thayer joined the Winn Board of Directors in 2008. She has considerable leadership experience in organized veterinary medicine with the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) and (AAFP), as well as in other community activities. She was a Director on the board of AAFP for 20 years and President of the Association from 1996 through 1998, along with being AAFP’s Delegate to AVMA from 2004 to 2010.
Thayer, who is Boarded in Feline Medicine, provides significant input, among the scientific reviewers who approve funding for cat health studies. Dr. Thayer has published articles on feline retroviruses, with particular emphasis on clinical management. She is a graduate from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. As the principal owner of Civic Feline Clinic in Walnut Creek, CA, Dr. Thayer established the first veterinary practice exclusively for cats in the Diablo Valley region of northern California. In 2003 Civic Feline Clinic was selected as one of the top five veterinary practices in the San Francisco Bay Area by Checkbook magazine
Dr. Thayer succeeds Betty White, who became President in 2009, and remains on the Winn Feline Foundation Board of Directors.
The Winn Feline Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1968 that supports studies to improve cat health. Since 1968, the Winn Feline Foundation has funded over $3 million in health research for cats at more than 30 partner institutions world-wide. This funding is made possible through the support of dedicated donors and partners. Research supported by the Winn Feline Foundation helps veterinarians to improve treatment of common feline health problems and prevent many diseases. Grants are awarded twice yearly with the help of the foundation’s expert review panel. For further information, go to www.winnfelinehealth.org