URI doctor receives veterinarian award

KINGSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - Richmond resident and University of Rhode Island animal doctor, David Serra was recently named Veterinarian of the Year.

Serra has a veterinary practice in Richmond where he cares for the pets of local residents. But, the URI attending veterinarian also works with researchers to ensure that all animals are cared for and treated properly.

“I never remember wanting to be anything but a veterinarian. I was born a veterinarian,” said Serra.

In his work at URI, Serra is guided by the federal Animal Welfare Act and the animal welfare policies of the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health, which fund most of the research involving animals.

“Most of what I do is preventive medicine,” said Serra. “A big part of what I do is to ensure that the diseases inherent to these species don’t gain entrance to the animal colonies on campus. Screening for diseases and vigilance with surveillance are key.”

The Southern New England chapter of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science recognized Serra as its Veterinarian of the Year last month.