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Former Veterinarian Honored with Recognition Award from K-State Veterinary Medical Alumni Association.

Dr. James Boyd has been posthumously awarded a 2005 Alumni Recognition Award. He was selected for the award because of his devotion to advancing the profession of veterinary medicine and concern for his community.

Inez Boyd, his wife, will accept the award in his honor at the banquet for the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association's annual meeting on Jan. 24 at the Holiday Inn in Kearney, Nebraska.

Born in Plevna, Kansas, Dr. Boyd earned both his undergraduate degree and DVM from K-State, receiving his undergraduate degree in agriculture in 1953 and his DVM in 1957. Boyd said the reason Dr. Boyd pursued a DVM was because of a fraternity brother who was in veterinary school.

Dr. Boyd established the Bellevue Animal Hospital in 1963, and remained there until he sold it in 2003. His hospital was the first fully accredited American Animal Hospital Association veterinary hospital in Nebraska. As a founding member of the Emergency Animal Clinic for Small Animals, Dr. Boyd also contributed to the Omaha metro area.

Dr. Boyd passed away in February of 2004 but his spirit lives on. One doctor who practiced with Boyd for 23 years recalls his professionalism. "He touched so many people's lives by the compassionate care he gave their pets and the compassion he showed them," said Dr. Karen Campbell. "He loved being able to figure things out; he was never afraid to try new things. He embraced change," Campbell said. Boyd said her husband was always anxious to help people and willing to take late night calls.

His community and professional service include the Omaha Veterinary Medical Association, the Nebraska Board of Veterinary Examiners and the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce. His professional memberships extended to the American Veterinary Medical Association and AAHA.

Dr. Boyd is survived by three children, Curtis, Victoria Boyd-Kennedy and Kristen Hellman, four grandchildren, and his wife Inez who he married in 1956. Boyd is the former mayor of Bellevue, Neb. and is still active in politics. She says her best supporter was her husband; he was always encouraging clients to vote for Inez. She is currently county commissioner for Sarpy County, Nebraska.

People can still look to Dr. Boyd as an example of a hard worker and an outstanding veterinarian. "Dr. Boyd believed it wasn't easy to achieve your goals," said Dr. Campbell. "But he said things worth doing aren't easy."