Marsha Torbert has always had a love for animals. When she was a child, her family traveled frequently for her father’s academic career (he was a professor of chemical engineering at UC Davis), which made keeping pets difficult. She remembers a cat named Snookie and a little mouse she cared for while living in Spain. Later, after her family settled in Davis, she adopted a kitten named Christopher Columbus.

Marsha’s mother also loved animals and adopted a female border collie named Jake when Marsha was in high school. At that time, Marsha also learned how to ride horses, a love that has continued through her adult years.

Innovation from the Start

Marsha grew up knowing about UC Davis’ veterinary medicine program through her father’s work at the university. But it was later, when their dog Jake was diagnosed with cancer, that Marsha saw firsthand the impact of UC Davis’ compassion, innovation and excellence in veterinary medicine. Her mother took Jake to UC Davis for treatment in the 1970s.

Marsha remembers that treating dogs with cancer was still developing at the time, and she remains grateful that her mother sought care for Jake at UC Davis. Although Jake ultimately passed away, that experience left a lasting impression of the importance of veterinary innovation and compassionate care.

A New Avenue: Hands-On Training for Future Veterinarians

Marsha spent much of her career in veterinary care, along with other jobs. She began volunteering at Davis Animal Hospital in high school and later worked as a veterinary technician at Acorn Veterinary Clinic and Woodland Veterinary Hospital. She loved the work and continues to appreciate the life-changing care veterinarians provide. One experience stands out: Pinky, a severely ill rescue puppy who became part of her family, was transferred to UC Davis when his condition worsened. While Marsha and her daughter were away, a veterinarian called their cruise ship daily with updates. Pinky recovered and lived to be 17. Experiences like these, along with the animals she has helped through the Pet Assistance League of Northern California, deepened Marsha’s appreciation for veterinary care.

Marsha took over the Pet Assistance League of Northern California, originally a nonprofit helping seniors keep their pets, and transformed it into an animal rescue organization. Through that work, she learned about the hands-on training at UC Davis that also provides spay, neuter and other surgical services for animals in need.

The I.M. Gary Gourley Clinical Teaching Center, located on the campus near Highway 113, is a hands-on veterinary training facility that holds UC Davis’ Community Surgery Service. The program provides fourth-year veterinary students with live-animal surgeries, anesthesia, and clinical practice experience. The building was designed primarily for teaching anesthesia and surgery for both small and large animals and features a large modern small animal surgical suite with 28 fully equipped surgical stations. Equipment includes digital radiography, ultrasound, dentistry and laboratory equipment for hematologic and biochemical analysis. 

“For our rescue organization, if I were to go to a regular veterinary practice for the spay and neuter needs that we have, only a very few of our animals would receive the assistance because of the cost,” she said. “Thanks to the Community Surgery Service’s work, we can help more animals, and students are able to get the hands-on practice they need for when they graduate. They take that experience to help the animals they care for in the future. Everyone benefits!” 

After seeing the impact of the program on her rescue animals and learning more about the Gourley Clinical Teaching Center’s work, Marsha decided to create a lasting legacy through a planned gift to establish the BUG Gourley Center Endowment Fund, named for “Baby Ugly Girl.” BUG was a rescued stray dog found by Marsha’s neighbor. A veterinarian gave her the name because she had no chin, and a big overbite — but cute nonetheless. She found her forever home and forever love with Marsha.  

More recently, Marsha decided that she wanted to see the impact of her generosity during her lifetime and made an additional commitment to grow the endowment while establishing the fund: a new current-use fund that provides flexible support for the Community Surgery Service’s most immediate needs.

UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Faculty Dr. Karen Vernau and Dr. Elizabeth Montgomery expressed their deep gratitude to Marsha for her contributions to the program. “Marsha’s generosity will have a tremendous and lasting impact on our Community Surgery Service,” they said. “Her gift will help us to continue to provide surgical treatment to dogs and cats while giving our veterinary students invaluable opportunities to learn through hands-on clinical mentorship. Community Surgery brings together two things we are deeply passionate about—improving the lives of animals and training compassionate, skilled veterinarians. We are grateful to Marsha for her generosity and commitment to supporting the next generation of veterinarians.”

Flexibility Creates Change

By providing flexible resources for the Community Surgery Service’s greatest needs, Marsha's gift will help enhance patient care, support clinical teaching, and expand hands-on surgical opportunities for fourth-year veterinary students.

Marsha’s generosity is inspired by her love for animals, her appreciation for the veterinary profession and her belief in education. “It’s so important to keep developing and learning,” she said. She is especially moved by the clinicians and students who dedicate themselves to helping animals and advancing veterinary medicine.

For Marsha, supporting students and clinicians is a meaningful way to help animals today while investing in the care they will receive for generations to come.

There are so many good people in the veterinary profession, and I have met some of the best people in my life in this field. They are friends forever.” 

A Living Legacy

Marsha encourages others to consider making a gift to UC Davis. “It feels good to give back,” she said. “My family has contributed to UC Davis in some way, and this feels like the best way for me to help. And I hope others will consider making gifts to the school too – this is how advancements happen.”

Through the flexible support contributions and her commitment to the BUG Gourley Center Endowment Fund, Marsha is helping meet immediate needs while investing in the future of veterinary medicine.

With this kind of donation, all I can say is that it is good to see that I’m doing good. Because what are we all here for? We’re all here to make the world a better place, right?”

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Marsha Torbert has chosen ways to give that reflect what matters most to her, providing resources for animals today while supporting veterinary education for the future. To explore giving opportunities, including current use and endowment gifts, contact the Office of Advancement at [email protected]. Our team can help you create a gift that reflects your passions and makes a meaningful difference for animals and the veterinary profession.

Your gift can impact thousands of animals and train the next generation of veterinarians. 

Support the Community Surgery Service.

Make a gift to the Gourley Clinical Teaching Center Fund. 

In the Community Surgery Service, fourth-year DVM students (closely supervised by faculty) gain a greater degree of hands-on surgical experience during their clinical rotations in the hospital.