Philanthropy at Work

An Attitude of Gratitude

Dr. Jay Kerr, DVM ’77, credits the rewarding experiences of his profession as giving him the inspiration to give back to his alma mater that made it all possible.

A third generation Aggie, Kerr grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, where his family sparked his interest in working with animals. His grandfather and father, both raised in rural California, attended UC Davis. His father majored in dairy science and worked with animals throughout much of his career. Kerr fondly remembers attending Picnic Day with his father numerous times – a tour of the veterinary school always being the big highlight.

Honoring his late father, Kerr contributed a gift to support the new Livestock and Field Services  Center – a major project of the future Veterinary Medical Center that will create a leading-edge environment for livestock handling and care, and clinical teaching.

Kerr’s mother was also a strong influence in his career choice of serving his community. She worked nights as a nurse while raising three children, and always had a passion for animals and the family pets. Kerr established the Eleanor G. Kerr Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of her gentle spirit and compassion. The scholarship is awarded to an incoming third-year DVM student with demonstrated interest in small animal care.

“I became a veterinarian because of my parents and their dedication to their community, to health care and to serving others – values I have always carried with me,” Kerr said.

Kerr enjoyed a successful career in private practice. After graduating, he spent several years out of state working with large animals. Returning to California, he began his private practice career, working for Dr. Douglas Vance, DVM ’55. In appreciation of Vance’s mentorship, Kerr contributed a gift to the Gladys Valley Hall building fund. In 1981, Kerr started his own mixed animal practice, the Crow Canyon Veterinary Clinic in San Ramon, California. When suburban growth changed the area, his practice began to focus more on small animals. In 1991, Kerr opened a second practice, the Tassajara Veterinary Clinic in neighboring Danville, California. In 2000, he merged the Crow Canyon practice with another hospital in town, becoming the Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center. He has since sold his interests in both practices and currently provides relief and consultation services to practices in the area.

Kerr’s interest in organized veterinary medicine at the state level began when he was asked to serve on a California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) task force. He had been a member of the CVMA for decades and always appreciated the association’s work. Serving on this task force provided him with greater insight into the CVMA’s valuable role as an advocate for California veterinary professionals and for the health and welfare of animals. In 2011, Kerr served as CVMA president, and one of his proudest achievements was helping to build an animal disaster response program.

Today, Kerr’s commitment to disaster response continues as a volunteer for the program – service that is especially important with the increasing frequency and severity of California’s wildfires.  The program operates as the CVMA’s California Veterinary Medical Reserve Corps and provides veterinary professionals with the training and credentials necessary to support animal emergency response, including coordination with the UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team and the recently formed California Veterinary Emergency Team. 

Kerr has also given back for the past seven years by donating his time as a mentor for DVM students in the school’s Professional Skills curriculum, also known as the “Doctoring” course. Led by Dr. Jim Clark, DVM ’88, the course begins during the first week of school for incoming students and continues throughout their four years of education. This robust communications course includes the opportunity for students to role play with professional actors as clients in realistic practice scenarios.

“I’m proud to be a graduate of the school and most grateful for the tremendous impact it has had on my life,” Kerr said.