(December 1, 2010 Stillwater, OK) – Teresa Blakley, lab technologist at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (part of Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences), recently received the Distinguished Service Award in the Technical/Paraprofessional (Non-Exempt) category for her dedicated service.

Blakley grew up in Chickasha, Okla. Now married, she and her husband, Bruce, reside in Ripley, Okla. A 17 year employee with the veterinary center, Blakley has worked at the OADDL for the last 10 years. Four years ago, she moved into her current position working in the Bacteriology/Mycology section of the lab.

“Teresa is the backbone of my laboratory,” says Dr. Brenda Love, assistant professor and Blakley’s supervisor. “She understands that we are working to save livestock producer’s livelihoods, save people’s beloved pets and help the regulatory agencies we serve such as the USDA.”

Blakley helps work up cases looking for disease causing pathogens (i.e. Salmonella, E. coli, Strangles, Pasturella). To do this she sets identification/sensitivity panels to determine which organism is present and to identify what drug will best eliminate the organism. She then reports this to the submitting veterinarian.

“We help save lives and/or help the veterinarians diagnose the problems at hand,” smiles Blakley. “It’s a very fulfilling job to say the least.”

“Teresa goes beyond the minimum job requirements and takes on the responsibility of training new, younger employees, students who work on the weekend, clinicians at the veterinary hospital and more,” adds Love. “And she does this every day with a smile and a sense of humor that makes my day. She is undoubtedly the most deserving person to receive this award that I have ever met.”

The Distinguished Service Award is given once a year and selected by the Staff Advisory Council from the nominations received.

The Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences is one of 28 veterinary colleges in the United States and is fully accredited by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The center's Boren Veterinary Medial Teaching Hospital is open to the public and provides routine and specialized care for small and large animals. It also offers 24 hour emergency care and is certified by the American Animal Hospital Association. For more information, visit www.cvhs.okstate.edu or call (405) 744-7000.

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