The increasing importance of animals as pets, livestock and wildlife is creating more demand and new niches for veterinarians, according to UC Davis veterinary professor and former dean Dr. William R. Pritchard. "In the media, people routinely see miracles of medical, agricultural and veterinary science and are demanding -- and willing to pay for -- ever-higher quality of services for their animals," Pritchard says. "It's a major trend." On Wednesday afternoon, July 31, Pritchard will discuss the changing nature of veterinary medicine and education, both of which he has significantly influenced. Nationally, Pritchard helped upgrade and expand veterinary medicine and education during the last three decades. He has advised numerous universities, state governments, federal agencies, two U.S. presidents and many foreign governments on veterinary medical education. Internationally, Pritchard has left a legacy of programs in agricultural research and disease-control, agricultural and rural development, and technical assistance aimed at world food problems. Now, he co-directs the Pew National Veterinary Education Program, a sweeping five-year $5.5 million program to help all 31 North American veterinary colleges prepare for the 21st century.