PULLMAN, WA – A commitment of $10 million from Heidi Charleson and her late husband, Lou Woodworth, was recently finalized as part of an estate plan to support scholarships, community care, and enhancements at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Heidi and Lou’s transformational investment is intended to:

• Support renovations to the Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) unit in the WSU Pullman Veterinary Teaching Hospital, including moving existing conference rooms to a new location and expanding the footprint of the ECC unit.
• Establish the Charleson and Woodworth Emergency and Critical Care Equipment Fund to purchase and maintain equipment for the ECC unit.
• Establish the Woodworth and Bustad Scholarship to aid students enrolled in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at WSU.
• Establish the Charleson and Woodworth Good Samaritan Fund to support the healthcare costs for animals brought to the hospital who are without a human companion, and for those pet owners who do not have the resources to cover anticipated procedures or medications.

“This gift is a wonderfully holistic approach to truly supporting animals and the people that care for them,” said Dr. Dori Borjesson, dean of WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. “Lou and Heidi believe deeply in supporting the education of students through large, impactful scholarships; supporting faculty excellence in teaching and clinical service; and expanding hospital infrastructure and operations that permit us to open our doors to more animals locally and statewide. Their gift touches all parts of the human-animal bond and helps us fulfill our vision ‘to be the country’s best academic veterinary hospital for our patients, our students, our clients, our colleagues, and our community.’”

This gift is a wonderfully holistic approach to truly supporting animals and the people that care for them.

Dr. Dori Borjesson, dean
WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine

From a friendship forged over Labrador retrievers to a gift that will shape the future of veterinary medicine, Lou and Heidi’s journey with WSU is a testament to the power of connection, compassion, and commitment.

To learn more about Heidi, Lou, and their wide-ranging and impactful support of WSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, visit the WSU Foundation website.