Dr. Welch named OSU Vet Med Distinguished Alumnus

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences recently announced the center’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipients — Drs. John Myers, Ronald Tyler, Sr., and Paul Welch.

“Drs. Myers, Tyler and Welch have enhanced the reputation of our college by distinguishing themselves in their careers,” said Dr. Carlos Risco, dean of the veterinary center. “They each have made significant contributions to their community, state and nation through professional service, public service and civic activities. They exemplify the loyalty, passion and innovation found in all dedicated graduates from our college.”

Paul L. Welch, DVM, of Tulsa earned his DVM degree from OSU in 1981. In 1983, Welch established his own veterinary practice in south Tulsa—Forest Trails Animal Hospital.

In addition to treating small animals, Dr. Welch gives back to the community by treating about 500 wildlife cases a year. This includes caring for classroom pets from surrounding schools at no charge, giving presentations at schools and giving tours of his clinic to countless youngsters. He also provides a preceptor experience for fourth year veterinary students honing their clinical skills, serves on the veterinary college’s admissions committee and is a regular guest lecturer to students interested in small animal medicine and the field of exotics.

Welch further shares his exotics expertise by overseeing the Grey Snow Eagle House in Perkins, Oklahoma. For the past 31 years, he has also hosted “Ask the Vet,” a series on KOTV where Dr. Welch answers viewer questions live and often features an adoptable pet from the Animal Rescue Foundation. In addition, he has participated in mission trips to share veterinary medical knowledge in Indonesia, Nepal, India, Tanzania, Mongolia and Costa Rica. He particularly enjoys mentoring and training Mongolian veterinarians with Mongolia V.E.T. Net NGO. V.E.T. Net is an acronym for Veterinarians, Educators doing Training as a NETwork across Mongolia.

Active in organized veterinary medicine, Welch belongs to several organizations holding leadership positions in many. This includes the Tulsa County Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Avian Veterinarians, Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians, and Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians to name a few.

Welch is an active member of his church having served in the offices of Deacon and Elder. He and wife Sarah have been married 42 years since Paul was in veterinary college and have two grown daughters.

All three will be honored at the veterinary center’s Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon on Friday, Nov. 15, at 11:30 a.m. in Wes Watkins Center on the OSU Stillwater campus. Tickets may be purchased through Sharon Worrell, alumni affairs and event specialist at the veterinary center, at 405-744-5630 or sworrel@okstate.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator | 405-744-6728 | taylor.bacon@okstate.edu