Texas A&M VMBS, Royal Canin Establish Endowed Chair In Small Animal Clinical Nutrition
Story by Megan Bennett, VMBS Marketing & Communications
The Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) is home to a new endowed chair in small animal clinical nutrition thanks to a $500,000 endowment from Royal Canin, a global leader in pet health nutrition and one of the billion-dollar brands of Mars, Inc.
Dr. Katie Tolbert, an associate professor of small animal clinical nutrition who also leads the Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital’s (SATH) new Nutrition Service, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Royal Canin Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Endowed Chair.
The endowed chair serves as a large-scale investment into the future of veterinary medicine, benefiting the continuity and preservation of this faculty position within the VMBS’ Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and directly impacting veterinary coursework and clinical nutritional programming.
“Assuming the position of Royal Canin Small Animal Nutrition Endowed Chair represents a transformative opportunity to advance both the science and practical application of companion animal nutrition,” Tolbert said. “This distinguished chair will provide the resources and platform necessary to pursue cutting-edge research in areas critical to small animal health, from investigating novel nutritional interventions for gastrointestinal diseases to exploring the role of nutrition in preventive medicine, critical illness, and aging.
“The endowment will enable me to bridge the gap between research discoveries and clinical practice by building upon Royal Canin’s established legacy of translating complex nutritional science into actionable knowledge for veterinary professionals,” she said. “Through this position, I will expand and enhance these educational initiatives by developing innovative training modules, evidence-based clinical tools, and practical guidelines that empower veterinary health professionals at all levels to make informed nutritional recommendations with confidence.”
The Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Service, housed within the VMBS’ Gastrointestinal Laboratory (GI Lab), was launched in January 2025 to provide nutritional support for the GI Lab’s more than 130,000 patients, the veterinarians who utilize the lab’s services, and the SATH’s more than 21,000 patients each year. Additionally, the service provides clinical nutrition education to Texas A&M Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students and conducts important nutrition research.
“Clinical nutrition plays a crucial role in the management of gastrointestinal disorders in dogs and cats. The integration of small animal clinical nutrition into the Gastrointestinal Laboratory at Texas A&M University allows us to leverage a multidisciplinary approach to clinical research in dogs and cats with gastrointestinal disorders, giving us a tremendous head start in finding optimal solutions for our patients and their owners,” said Dr. Jörg Steiner, University Distinguished Professor and GI Lab director. “The endowment by Royal Canin is a tremendous investment into the long-term success of our clinical nutrition program.”
Royal Canin’s endowment — which equips the service to increase its curriculum development, nutrition consultation services, and clinical services — represents the company’s investment in the longevity of veterinary education and showcases its commitment to empowering future and current veterinarians.
“Royal Canin is proud to play a role in the future of small animal medicine at Texas A&M University,” said Dr. Todd East, director of veterinary affairs, Royal Canin North America. “Through the support of nutritional programming, students will have the opportunity to directly observe nutrition’s role in disease management. This endowment provides a tangible impact on the future of the profession and the patients that will benefit from this support.”
In addition to maintaining her clinical service and teaching roles, Tolbert will continue her current research into treatment of acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases in dogs and cats, about which she has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications. She also serves on the gastrointestinal scientific advisory board for Royal Canin North America.
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For more information about the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, please visit our website at vetmed.tamu.edu or join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact Information: Jennifer Gauntt, Director of VMBS Communications, Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, jgauntt@cvm.tamu.edu, 979-862-4216
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