Dr. Mark Stetter, DVM

Dr. Mark Stetter became Dean of University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine in October 2021. He comes to UC Davis with a distinguished history of leadership and accomplishment in veterinary medicine.

His research and clinical expertise have focused on zoo and wildlife medicine. He served as director of animal operations, director of animal health, and clinical veterinarian at Walt Disney World for 15 years where he provided oversight and leadership to the animal care and animal health teams at Walt Disney World and was responsible for more than 500 employees and multiple animal collections.

Dr. Stetter then spent a decade as dean and professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. He helped drive the creation of a new medical education program in partnership with the University of Colorado School of Medicine; worked with the provost’s office to create a university-wide One Health Initiative; established a new DVM education program with the University of Alaska-Fairbanks; and helped launch numerous Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

Dr. Stetter has been active in many professional organizations, including service as President of the American College of Zoological Medicine, Founder and President of the Elephant Population Management Program, Chair for the Wildlife Scientific Advisory Board with Morris Animal Foundation, and Chair for the research committee within the Association of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians. Currently, Dean Stetter serves as Treasurer for the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges and as a Director of the Board with PetSmart Charities.

As dean of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Stetter has responsibility for the core missions of the school including education, research and service. Additionally, he helps provide oversight for strategic planning, management and administration, external affairs, outreach and development. The school is organized as a globally leading academic medical center, in which the veterinary medical school, hospital and institutes combine to impact lives and society through education, healthcare, research and public service. The school has additional centers in Tulare and San Diego, and One Health-based wildlife health operations in Washington, South America and central Africa.

Mission Moments

with Dr. Mark Stetter

How has your pet (or a previous pet) changed your life?

One of my favorite pets has been Samantha, a Bernese Mountain Dog. She’s always been a bundle of positive energy. She can clear away any stress and negativity, and always brings a smile to anyone who meets her.

Is there a Charities impact story that sticks out in your memory?

There are so many beautiful stories that PetSmart Charities has shared about how our donors, partners and teams have have positively impacted our world. I have always been impressed with how our mission supports work in keeping pets and people together by supporting disaster relief work – It’s something I’m very proud we champion.

What’s one stigma about pet parenting you wish would end?

I wish we could help those in real estate management understand how pets are integral members of families. I especially think of the elderly who rely on pets for companionship, to those coping with spousal abuse or experiencing homelessness, all of these people would benefit from keeping their pets in their homes.