A Reno, Nevada, woman has left the bulk of her estate -- more than $5.6 million -- to establish an endowment to fund student scholarships at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, in hopes of advancing animal health care. The gift is the largest donation ever made by an individual to UC Davis. Theodora Peigh, an art collector and animal lover, had a keen interest in animal welfare. She and her husband, Al Peigh, moved to Reno in the early 1950s and purchased the Pine Tree Ranch south of Reno, where they raised cattle and horses. Although she had a lifelong love for all types of animals, Mrs. Peigh's primary interest was in breeding quarter horses. Following her husband's death in 1972, Peigh began to consider her own estate plans. After ensuring that the horses, dogs and cats who shared her Peigh Ranch would be cared for after her death, she looked for a way to make an enduring contribution to animal welfare in general. "Theodora Peigh thought very highly of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine," said Virgil H. Wedge, executor of the Peigh estate and trustee of the Peigh trust. "She wanted to help animals by providing scholarships for veterinary students." The first Theodora Peigh Memorial Scholarships have been awarded to 14 veterinary students. Mrs. Peigh died in January 1994, leaving the majority of her estate, consisting primarily of land located south of Reno, to the UC Davis Foundation. She stipulated that property received from her estate be used to create an endowment to fund scholarships for students pursuing doctoral degrees in veterinary medicine at UC Davis. The land, valued in excess of $5 million, is being liquidated by executor Wedge for distribution to the UC Davis Foundation. The Peigh scholarships are presented to one or more students annually in any of several areas including outstanding academic achievement, dual degree programs, "externships" or preceptorships, and general need and merit. Each scholarship provides assistance with academic and, in some cases, living expenses. "Mrs. Peigh's generous bequest will more than double the size of our school's endowment fund for student scholarships," said Fred Murphy, dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "Her gift comes at a time when student fees are increasing dramatically. The school and its students will always be grateful to her." "Mrs. Peigh's extraordinary generosity demonstrates not just her deep affection for animals, but her fundamental belief in the importance of the University of California as an educational institution," added UC Davis Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef. "Supportive friends like Theodora Peigh are full partners in our campus's teaching, research and service mission."