The University of Kentucky, The Bill Gatton Foundation and Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment invite the UK campus along with the local and state community to The Bill Gatton Foundation Speaker Series: The Human-Animal Bond, starting Nov. 4. 

This speaker series is designed to inform and inspire attendees about the human-animal bond by identifying the important linkage of improving the lives of companion animals and humans. Furthermore, the series will explore relationships and collaborations between practice, policy and academia. 

To begin this series, Kate Shoveller, professor in the Department of Animal Biosciences at the University of Guelph, will be presenting on the topic “From Hooves to Paws to Hands: Interconnectivity in the Pursuit of Innovation.”  

Shoveller’s presentation will further explore the need for collaboration across multiple sectors—government, industry, healthcare, academia and the public—to improve the lives of companion animals and human life. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Shoveller as one of the inaugural speakers in The Bill Gatton Foundation Speaker Series,” said Nancy Cox, Martin-Gatton CAFE dean. “Dr. Shoveller’s data-driven research on enhancing the lives of companion animals and their human counterparts perfectly aligns with Bill Gatton's vision of promoting and supporting the human-animal bond.” 

The event will be at the Gluck Auditorium in the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center building on campus, beginning at 12:30 p.m. and concluding at 1:30 p.m. with a light reception to follow. 

Visit ca.uky.edu/gatton-foundation-speaker-series to register. Registration deadline is Oct. 28. 

The series continues Nov. 6 with an additional talk by Dr. Shoveller titled “Checking our Pulse: The Use of Pulses in Dog Food.” Taylor Richardson, research assistant studying under Shoveller, will also present on “The Pursuit for an Alternative Oil: Comparing the Dietary Supplementation of Camelina, Flax and Canola Oils to Dogs and Horses.” 

The speaker series serves as a foundation for launching the future Companion Animal Studies undergraduate certificate program at Martin-Gatton CAFE. Slated for fall 2025, pending approval, the certificate will provide UK students with a comprehensive understanding of the roles and significance of companion and working animals in society—encompassing topics such as animal care, management and well-being, and the human-animal bond. 

For questions or information on the Companion Animal undergraduate certificate program, email CAFEadvising@uky.edu. 

Bill Gatton, who bestowed a transformational $100 million gift through The Bill Gatton Foundation in 2023, was a believer in the power of the human-animal bond. He passionately supported further exploration of the role of companion animals in all aspects of human health and well-being.

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University of Kentucky alum and former trustee Carol Martin “Bill” Gatton bestowed a transformational $100 million gift to the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment through The Bill Gatton Foundation. It is the largest gift to the university in its history. 

Four Pillars of The Bill Gatton Foundation's Gift are Scholarships and Student Success Initiatives; Companion Animal Program; Capital Projects and New Initiatives Fund; and Faculty Research. 

At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, we recognize that our lives as humans are closely connected with animals. As such, we are committed to developing a globally recognized program centered on the land-grant mission and focused on research, instruction and outreach related to companion animals. 
 
The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.