A Life of Compassion & Service

From nursing to rescue to legacy giving.

Story by Audrey Hambright

A woman and man at a podium, with a sign reading "Future Vets Helping Future Pets" in the background.

Cathy Mellentin (right) speaks at the dedication of the first mobile survery unit in 2015. Dr. Bard Crauer (left) director of the Shelter Medicine Program at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo by K-State Photo Services.

For many, the trajectory from nursing to animal rescue to philanthropy might seem like an unexpected leap, but for Cheryl Mellenthin, the transition was not only natural, but deeply fulfilling. From her start as a nursing student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to her transformative work rescuing animals and funding educational initiatives, her journey is a testament to a life lived with purpose, compassion and generosity.

A passion for care

In 1979, Cheryl earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. With a nursing career spanning several decades, her path took her to Corpus

Christi, Texas, to escape the harsh northern winters, and eventually to Houston. It was here she found her calling in the neonatal intensive care unit at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she worked for 19 years.

The heart of a rescuer

Cheryl’s love for animals began in 1979 when she rescued her first dog, a miniature poodle. Little did she know this act of kindness would evolve into a life-changing mission. Over the years, Cheryl would rescue hundreds of dogs, cats and even a few horses, giving them not just a second chance at life, but a forever home.

In 2003, her passion for animal welfare reached a new level when she founded Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUPS), a program aimed at tackling the root cause of pet overpopulation: unspayed and unneutered animals. With the vision of reducing the number of abandoned and unwanted pets, PUPS helps families who cannot afford the cost of spaying and neutering their pets. Through this program, Cheryl and her team have provided financial assistance for over 47,000 spay and neuter procedures across nine rural counties west of Houston. It’s a staggering number that underscores the reach and impact of her work.

“The goal is simple,” she explains. “We want to reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters and decrease the burden on animal rescue organizations. If we can prevent unwanted litters, we’re taking a giant step toward solving the overpopulation crisis.”

Today, Cheryl is surrounded by over 70 rescue animals on her ranch, including 50 dogs, seven cats, four horses, three donkeys and some cattle. It’s clear her dedication to animals extends far beyond her work with PUPS — it’s a lifestyle!

A woman gently cradles a small dog in her arms, smiling warmly at the camera.

Cheryl and one of her dogs, Wink. Courtesy photo.

A shared vision: Philanthropy with Mark Chapman

In 1987, Cheryl met Mark Chapman, a budding entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry. Their shared passion for philanthropy would become a central part of their partnership, and in 1999, they married. Together, they forged a legacy of giving, particularly to Kansas State University, where Mark was a 1965 alumnus.

Mark was a philanthropist at heart, donating generously to causes he was passionate about, including the Chapman Theatre and Gallery, the refurbishment of stained-glass windows at the K-State library and the acquisition of Steinway pianos for the university’s music department. As a sports enthusiast, he also helped support multiple athletic programs at K-State.

After Mark’s death in 2014, Cheryl assumed leadership of the Mark A. Chapman Foundation, continuing his work to benefit students, faculty and community members at K-State. Among the foundation’s most notable contributions are the Chapman indoor and outdoor shot-put arenas, the Cheryl Mellenthin Hammer Throw arena and numerous scholarships. But perhaps one of their most significant shared endeavors came through an encounter with Dr. Bonnie Rush, the Hodes Family Dean of K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Transforming Veterinary Education: A Legacy of Compassion

It was after their first meeting Dean Rush that the idea for a mobile spay/neuter unit was born. As an advocate for animal welfare, Cheryl immediately saw the potential for such a project to not only reduce the number of unwanted animals, but to serve as an educational tool for veterinary students.

“When Mark asked me about it, I couldn’t have been more enthusiastic,” she recalls. “Spaying and neutering is something I am passionate about. It was an opportunity to save lives and provide students with real-world experience.”

Mark and Cheryl helped fund the first mobile unit and, over time, Cheryl would go on to fund a second unit, followed later by a third — a “Wellness on Wheels” initiative designed to provide care and spay/neuter services to underserved communities across Kansas and Southern Nebraska.

The impact of these mobile units has been profound. In addition to providing much-needed care for shelter animals, they provide K-State veterinary students with invaluable hands-on experience. Students now leave the program with over 50 surgeries under their belt, performing operations on animals at shelters that might otherwise not have received care.

A group of graduates standing on stage, proudly holding their diplomas during a graduation ceremony.
Kansas State University President Richard Linton, right, congratulates Cheryl Mellenthin after presenting her with an honorary DVM from the university and college. Joining them are the CVM’s Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush and Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success Dr. James Roush. Mellenthin is a longtime supporter of the college’s shelter medicine program. Photo by Grad Images Inc.

“The students get to work with animals who often have underlying health conditions,” Cheryl explains. “The students learn how to handle complex situations, which better prepares them for their careers as veterinarians.”

To further ensure sustainability of the shelter medicine program, Cheryl later provided donation to support a shelter medicine professorship.

Cheryl’s philanthropy also includes support for the clinical skills laboratory which opened in 2018. Clinical skills provide technical skills instruction for students in every semester during the first three years of veterinary school. So, it’s no surprise that this would be important to Cheryl as she developed a strong appreciation for the importance of strong technical skills through her years as a pediatric nurse.

A lasting legacy

Today, Cheryl remains an integral part of both the Mark A. Chapman Foundation and PUPS. She is the president of an oil and gas company and continues to oversee her ranch and farms in Kansas and Nebraska. Despite these responsibilities, she is also deeply involved in her church as the handbell director and serves on the board of directors at Citizen’s State Bank in Sealy, Texas.

But for all her professional achievements and activities, it’s her commitment to animals, education and philanthropy that truly defines Cheryl’s legacy. Cheryl is such an important part of K-State’s veterinary program that during the 2022 commencement ceremony, the college awarded Cheryl with an Honorary DVM degree.

“Her lifelong commitment to mitigating the homeless pet population has inspired a generation of animal care workers,” says Dean Rush. “Her vision to provide training opportunities has strengthened the skills, aptitude and service mindset for more than 1,000 new veterinarians. There is no parallel to her vision, dedication and lifelong commitment to animals in need."