Leo K. Bustad, Professor
Emeritus
College of Veterinary Medicine
Leo Bustad was an internationally recognized pioneer in
the field of human-animal interactions. His work inspired
people around the world to bring humans and animals
together for therapy, service, and companionship. He
authored two books, co-authored an elementary school
curriculum, and was author or co-author of more than 200
articles and reports, many of which focused on the
human-animal bond.
As dean and professor of physiology in the College of
Veterinary Medicine from 1973 to 1983, he built the
Washington State University veterinary program into one
of the most respected in the nation. During his tenure,
more than $35 million in state and federal construction
funds were allocated to the Washington-Oregon-Idaho
regional program in veterinary-medical education,
the nation’s first regional veterinary-medical
curriculum.
In 1979 Dean Bustad co-founded the Delta Society to, in
his words, “promote service, education, and
scientific studies on a wide range of issues dealing with
the human-animal interaction.” Under his
leadership, the Delta Society funded the first credible
research on why animals are important to the general
population and specifically how they affect health and
well-being. Two years later he co-founded the People-Pet
Partnership, the first university-based community service
program that focuses on human-animal relationships.
Awards and Honors
- 1990 Delta Society Distinguished Service Award
- 1988 Senior Member, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies
- 1987 Member, National Academies of Practice in Veterinary Medicine
- 1985 Washington State University Regents’ Distinguished Alumnus Award
- 1984 Washington State Veterinary Medical Association Distinguished Service Award
- 1980 Veterinarian of the Year, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association
- Consultant to the Surgeon General of the U.S. Air Force
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“It is vital, especially when dealing with animal
issues, to consider compassion and caring.”
—Leo Bustad, 1920–1998