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File #: 2021-1583    Version: 1
Type: Proclamation Status: Adopted
File created: 6/4/2021 In control: City Council
On agenda: 6/8/2021 Final action: 6/8/2021
Enactment date: 6/8/2021 Enactment #: 366
Effective date:    
Title: WHEREAS, Lawrence Gerson, VMD, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1975 and founded Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic in 1977 as a family veterinary practice, providing care primarily for cats and dogs; and,
Sponsors: Erika Strassburger, All Members
Indexes: PROCLAMATION - MRS. STRASSBURGER
title
WHEREAS, Lawrence Gerson, VMD, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1975 and founded Point Breeze Veterinary Clinic in 1977 as a family veterinary practice, providing care primarily for cats and dogs; and,

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WHEREAS, At the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Gerson served as president of its Alumni Society and received their Award of Merit; and,

WHEREAS, In 1985, the Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association named Dr. Gerson as "Veterinarian of the Year", where they honored him with their Distinguished Veterinary Service Award and Special Merit Award; and,

WHEREAS, Dr. Gerson served as the President of the Western Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association and later became Trustee from Western Pennsylvania to the PA Vet Medical Association for 12 years; and,

WHEREAS, Dr. Gerson wrote a bi-weekly column in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette titled, "Pet Points", in order to educate pet owners on various topics regarding animals and their health and welfare. He also hosted a show titled, "Pet Talk" on WQEX for many years throughout the 1980's and 1990's; and,

WHEREAS, From 2005 to 2014, Dr. Gerson served on the Pennsylvania State Veterinary Licensing Board, which included a position as Vice Chairman of the State Veterinary Board; and,

WHEREAS, Dr. Gerson previously served as the chair of the PA Veterinary Foundation and is the president of the Allegheny Abused Animal Relief Fund, which raises funding to help abused and neglected pets; and,

WHEREAS, Prior to "emergency vet hospitals" existing, Dr. Gerson would return to his vet clinic late at night to check on dogs who needed to be kept overnight. Dr. Gerson worked with 13 other veterinarians to organize an emergency clinic for animals, which has now the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center; and,

WHEREAS, Dr. Gerson served as a consultant for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in their "History of the Dog" exh...

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