Veterinarians honored for contributions

ORONO – Veterinary Service awards inscribed “This award speaks for those who cannot speak for themselves” were presented to Dr. Ronald Lott of Orono and Dr. Don Stimpson of Orrington at the Maine Veterinary Medical Association’s meeting Oct. 9 at the Black Bear Inn in Orono.

Lott was honored for his tireless efforts, through the establishment of shelters, to care for unwanted animals.

A 1970 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Lott began his work with stray animals as an intern at Rowley Memorial Animal Hospital. In 1981, he established the Penobscot Valley Humane Society in Lincoln. Ten years later he founded the Animal Orphanage in Old Town. He also owns and operates Timberland Animal Hospital in Orono.

Lott continues to donate his time to care for animals at the Animal Orphanage, where strays are examined, vaccinated and spayed or neutered before adoption. Two years ago, he led a fund-raising program which made possible the expansion and renovation of the Animal Orphanage.

Stimpson was recognized for his leadership in animal science, his distinguished service to the University of Maine and the personal encouragement he has provided to students and future veterinarians.

Many of Maine’s veterinarians studied under Dr. Stimpson, who was a University of Maine faculty member from 1981-1996.

A graduate of the University of Maine, with a veterinary medicine degree from the University of Toronto, Stimpson operated a veterinary practice in Presque Isle and taught at UMaine Presque Isle for many years. He also served six years as dean of men at UMPI, five years as chairman of the SAD 1 board of directors and three years as chairman of the Presque Isle City Council.

After joining the UMaine faculty in 1981, Stimpson was named superintendent of the J.F. Witter Animal Science Center. He was also named chairman of the animal science department, a position he held until in 1990 he was named associate dean of the College of Agriculture. In 1995, he was named interim dean of the college, serving until his retirement a year later. He also served for nearly 10 years as treasurer of the Maine Veterinary Medical Association and as editor of its newsletter.