Beth Boynton, DVM

DVM, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 1980

She obtained her BA in Biology-Chemistry from Skidmore College in New York and gained an appreciation for a liberal arts education while pursuing a double science major. She completed her veterinary degree with honors at the University of Minnesota in 1980. She started as an associate in an equine practice and did relief work in a small animal practice for 6 months. Then she and her husband took an 18 month backpacking journey around the world which was a life changing experience. Upon return she worked in small animal private practice for 9 years.

Dr. Beth Boynton DVM joined the faculty in September 2003 as Professor of Wellness and Director of the Hill's Wellness Center. Her duties include teaching proper history taking, record keeping, physical examination and diagnostic skills in a clinical setting. She also guides them on wellness care, nutrition, and client communications. She is a facilitator of the Veterinary Basic Sciences Course and faculty advisor to the student chapters of the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of Feline Practitioners. As a Bayer Animal Health trained faculty member, she has led the veterinary communication curriculum since 2005 with interactive presentations, a standardized client program, and clinical teaching.

In 1990, a position was created at the University of Minnesota's Veterinary Teaching Hospital called "Community Practice Veterinarian". Dr. Boynton was selected to create this service and taught primary care seeing non referral cases with fourth year students. Areas emphasized in teaching were communications, human animal bond, preventative behavior, parasite prevention, and immunizations. She lectured in diverse areas such as pediatrics, geriatrics, canine/feline vaccinations, interview skills, pet selection, and pet loss. She designed a course called Practice Readiness where third year students were prepped for clinical work with lectures and exercises in teamwork, business economics, communications, resumes, and interviews. Part of a faculty creative team, she wrote cases that integrated clinical studies with non-technical competencies. She received several teaching incentive awards and was presented with the Faculty Appreciation award twice.

I am a firm believer in the "Learner Centered Paradigm" in that learning should be cooperative and collaborative. Students should challenge their assumptions and be life long learners. I love working with students, learning together, and sharing my passion for this wonderful profession.

Veterinary education and communication

Faculty Appreciation award twice

She is grateful for a supportive family - human and pet. Hobbies include gardening, windsurfing, sailing, soccer, and outdoor activities