In Memory of Dr. Linda Lord

Dr. Linda K. Lord. Photo courtesy of The Ohio State UniversityLinda Lord, DVM, MS, PhD, was a pioneer in research that has helped countless pets stay out of shelters. We at the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at UF were saddened to learn of her passing from pancreatic cancer on May 23, 2019.

A dedicated animal lover, Dr. Lord served on the board of Columbus Humane, which was named as a recipient of donations in her memory in her obituary. Her research on homeless, lost, and shelter pets included:

“I had the privilege of collaborating with Linda, the consummate team-builder, on a project to evaluate ID collars for cats,” said Dr. Julie Levy, the Fran Marino Endowed Professor of Shelter Medicine Education at the University of Florida. “Linda had a knack for honing in on the most important research topics and myth-busting that created lasting change in the sheltering profession and still impacts how we train future shelter veterinarians.”

A past president of the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and a professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the Ohio State University, Dr. Lord was also a major driver of emotional welfare in the veterinary field. She headed up the Veterinary Wellbeing Study, a national study of compassion fatigue, depression, suicide, and poor emotional welfare among veterinarians. She was also a leader in the development of an online Workplace Wellbeing Program.

All of us at the Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida extend our deepest sympathies to her family and loved ones.

Photo courtesy The Ohio State University