Development News and special occasions together. Capper and Terry introduced Lenore and Ron to one another while attending CSU, and the four have been close friends ever since. The Thompsons live outside San Antonio on a beautiful 11 acres with stables and accommodations for Capper’s horses, dogs, and other animals. Chris had worked for the Thompsons one summer, “He was doing everything from mucking stalls to stacking hay,” Stehouwer said. “Whatever she would need done, he would take care of.” When Capper heard Lenore’s account of the pets whose lives ended due to their owners’ lack of funds, she was shocked. “Capper was completely surprised to hear that anyone would ever have to make a decision to put a pet to sleep because they couldn’t afford to treat it,” Stehouwer said. “That thought had never entered her mind. Animals are her heart, and she believes you do what needs to be done to take care of them,” Stehouwer said. During a dinner discussion one evening, Lenore and Capper came up with the idea of changing the focus of the Chris Stehouwer Scholarship Fund. Stehouwer noted that the fund hadn’t seemed to bring her parents much comfort, and they all agreed this would be the perfect way to commemorate Chris and his passion for animals.
Capper Thompson
Chris with Capper’s dog, Bud The fund helps alleviate the financial burden of a pet’s treatment plan for a family in need and in turn allows veterinary students to learn from diagnostics, treatments, and surgery that otherwise could not have been afforded. Capper volunteered to match the scholarship fund and to ensure its future viability. “You don’t meet many people in this lifetime like Chris,” said Capper. “He was genuine, hard working, and absolutely loved animals—all animals.” In discussion with the veterinary school, it was decided to call it “The Capper and Chris Save the Animals Fund,” “and that’s how it all came about, emanating from two special people, Capper and Chris, where animals are their heart and soul,” Stehouwer said. Stehouwer’s office, Parkwood Animal Hospital in Friendswood, Texas, and many others make donations in a pet’s name when one is euthanized or passes, whatever the cause. She also continues to make personal contributions to the fund, and she shares information about the fund with some of her clients, knowing the emotional significance of the fund. “It was the memory of Chris and the special person he was that brought about the Capper and Chris Save the Animal Fund,” Stehouwer said. “He was one of the warmest, most genuine people I have ever known. His really
big heart included love for people and their pets of all kinds, especially his great fondness for cats!” Chris was one of those rare people who seemed to be able to communicate with animals. He had a genuine calmness, which led all animals to love him, Stehouwer recalled. “We like to think his life, though cut short, keeps some beloved pets in their owners’ lives longer. I think he would love knowing that.” Donations to the fund can be made through the Giving page of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences website, at http://vetmed. tamu.edu/giving/opportunities.
Chris Stehouwer Winter 2014 •
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