Cats + Dogs Inspire Gifts

LOVE OF ANIMALS LEADS TO CREATION OF VETERINARY FUNDS

     COLUMBUS -- Lewis Heldt and his late wife received much joy
from their long-lived cats and dog.  Marjorie Martin devoted much
of her life to breeding and promoting Maltese spaniels.

     Now, both Heldt and Martin have assured that their interests
in these pets will be continued and expanded at The Ohio State
University College of Veterinary Medicine.  At its May 6 meeting,
the university's Board of Trustees established the Heldt Family
Scholarship Fund and the Marjorie C. Martin/American Maltese
Association Paladin Veterinary Research Fund with gifts from
Lewis Heldt and the estate of Majorie Martin.  The endowed funds
will provide money in perpetuity to finance the projects
specified by the donors.
                                
                  Heldt Family Scholarship Fund

     In the case of Heldt, a Toledo resident who donated $15,000
to the college, his interests include helping students who are
committed to animal geriatrics and to dealing with the pet owner
in a compassionate, supporting and consoling manner.  Heldt's
gift is in memory of pets "Cat," "Coco," "Snoopy," "Boots,"
"Charley/Orangy," and "Mama Cat and Four Kittens."  Heldt and his
wife adopted the stray pets during their years as teachers in the
Toledo Public Schools.

     Heldt says he appreciates the work of the veterinarians who
helped his pets reach old age.  Boots, a cat, died in January of
kidney failure at age 19.  Snoopy, a beagle dog, was 14 years old
when he died of a stroke.  Mama Cat and Four Kittens, adopted
last year, are now living in Heldt's garage.

     "The vets who kept Boots alive during her last 3 years were
from Ohio State," Heldt said.  "These pets have really added to
my life.  They brought us a great deal of joy."

     Heldt, a 1951 graduate of Ohio State, has set up numerous
scholarship funds at Ohio State University over the years.  "I'm
so grateful to Ohio State," he said.  "I'm doing these things in
appreciation of all the benefits to me and my family over the
years,"

     "This gift will provide scholarships for students in
veterinary medicine, particularly those who demonstrate
compassion for the welfare of pets and people who love animals,
said Glen Hoffsis, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

     Marjorie C. Martin/American Maltese Association Paladin
                    Veterinary Research Fund

     Maltese and other toy dog breeds will benefit from an
estimated $300,000 gift from Marjorie C. Martin.  The former
Columbus Public Schools libriarian and dog breeder willed that
her estate be used to fund research on the various health
problems of the dogs.

     Martin bred, showed and wrote about Maltese dogs, a toy
spaniel with long, silky, white hair.  She produced more than 40
champions, was active in the American Maltese Association, and
authored many articles for various canine publications.  She died
in January 1993 at age 59, following heart surgery.

     "We expect to make many great discoveries over the next few
years with this money," Hoffiss said.  "The Martin and Heldt
gifts will really help the college.  In these tight financial
times, money is hard to come by and badly needed to both educate
students and to further new knowledge."
                                
                                #
                                
Contact: Larry Rummell, director of development for the College
of Veterinary Medicine, (614) 292-1171.

Written by Amy Murray,(614) 292-8385.


[Submitted by: GERSTNER  (gerstner@ccgate.ucomm.ohio-state.edu)
               
Mon, 09 May 1994 11:36:23 -0500 (EST)]
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