The South Palm Beach, Florida couple has purchased the remaining inventory of the two publications and donated the books along with the copyrights to the College of Veterinary Medicine. The total value of the gift is anticipated to be $650,000.
Iowa State University Extension has created a dedicated Web site (https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ListItems.aspx?CategoryID=98) where the books may be purchased. All proceeds from the sales will benefit the College of Veterinary Medicine and the college’s avian and exotic animal medicine program. The Harrisons have also pledged a cash gift to further support this program.
“Linda and I are interested in impacting the avian and exotic animal program at Iowa State,” Greg Harrison said. “We want to foster an educational program so students feel confident and competent to go into practice and do basic evaluations and procedures on birds and other exotic pets.”
After graduating from Iowa State, the couple settled in Florida where Greg Harrison opened his own practice in Lake Worth in 1969. He gravitated toward aviculture and soon established The Bird Hospital, the first Florida practice exclusively for pet bird medicine and surgery before retiring in 2005.
“Avian Medicine: Principles and Application” is a comprehensive text and practical guidebook for individuals involved in captive avian medicine and stewardship. “Clinical Avian Medicine” offers topics of concern to contemporary avian practitioners.
This gift is part of Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose, the university’s $800 million fundraising effort. More than $735 million in gifts and future commitments for facilities and student, faculty and programmatic support have been made to Campaign Iowa State.