Henry E. Childers, January 2006

Dr. Henry Childers, a small animal practitioner in Cranston, Rhode Island and an assistant clinical professor at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine is only the second veterinarian to serve as both president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association.

After earning his veterinary degree from Auburn University, Dr. Childers served two years in the US Army Veterinary Corps before acquiring the Cranston Animal Hospital in 1957. He became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), serving as a member of the Council of Regents and Chairman of the Continuing Education Committee.

Throughout his career, Dr. Childers has been actively involved in veterinary medical organizations. In addition to serving two terms as president of the Rhode Island AVMA, Dr. Childers served as secretary/treasurer, chaired the Continuing Education Committee for 15 years, and was editor of the RIVMA Newsletter. He was president of the New England VMA and chairman of the Rhode Island Veterinary Board of Examiners. Dr. Childers has served on the AVMA Councils on Technician Education and Activities, as a consultant to the National Board Examination Committee and Seminar Chair of the Scientific Program.

In 1991, he was recognized by the AAHA’s Northeast Region as Practitioner of the Year. He is the recipient of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association’s Distinguished Service Award. Significantly, Tufts University’s School of Veterinary Medicine has honored Dr. Childers for sustained and extraordinary contributions to the education of Tufts’ veterinary students by establishing an annual Childers Award.