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A Need Fulfilled
The Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory was established in 1976 through the efforts of concerned and dedicated Oklahomans. Foremost among its early advocates was a Board of Advisors that continues to provide advice, counsel, and support for the laboratory's operations. Others who were instrumental in the establishment of the laboratory include farmers, ranchers, pet owners, veterinarians, wise and understanding legislators, and far-sighted governors.
The laboratory's mission is to provide vigilant, accessible, and accountable diagnostic service for Oklahoma veterinarians and animal owners. Its goals are to help reduce Oklahoma's expensive losses to animal diseases and parasites, to reduce the incidence and threat of diseases that are transmissible from animals to man, and to provide support for the teaching and research programs of the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences.
The laboratory's success is reflected in the growth in the number of requests for diagnostic assistance that have been handled since operations commenced over 20 years ago. In FY 77, the number of requests was less than 6,000, compared to more than 18,000 in FY 97. A poultry diagnostics program was instituted in January 1991, and the number of avian requests increased substantially.
The key to our success is held in the hands of the laboratory staff - a staff that is dedicated, hard-working, productive, and ready to go the extra mile that is often required to find helpful answers for hard problems. We welcome the opportunity to serve Oklahoma and Oklahomans.
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