The Joseph W. Tripiano Charitable Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation for San Benito County, awarded a $1 million grant to Cal Poly’s Charles and Claire Jacobson Animal Health Center, providing transformational support for student learning and animal care.
The funding will enhance hands-on learning by paying for enhanced student learning opportunities in classroom, lab and clinical settings that will be used daily by students in the San Luis Obispo institution’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences’ new Animal Health Center.
Students will have access to advanced diagnostic equipment, including video endoscopy units, digital radiographic systems and in-house laboratory analyzers. Students will be able to perform forensic examinations on large animals such as horses and cattle using new hydraulic tables. The equipment will provide students the knowledge to improve care for animals treated at the center for years to come. This will help address the growing shortage of large-animal veterinarians, as well as enhance the skills of livestock production managers.
“Learn by Doing is at the heart of everything we do in the Animal Health Center,” said Kim Sprayberry, associate department head and faculty veterinarian. “This extraordinary grant will provide our students with modern diagnostic equipment and clinical exam and procedure rooms that mirror what they will encounter in professional practice.
“It will also contribute to the elevated care we provide to animals, such as the horses and cattle we care for on campus, while giving students invaluable experience in using advanced technologies throughout their undergraduate education.”
The investment reflects the life and legacy of Joseph W. Tripiano, whose lifelong passion for horses and ranching inspired the family’s commitment to advancing animal health education.
A devoted horseman and steward of the land, Tripiano retired at age 32 to pursue ranching full time in Hollister. He became known for his remarkable versatility as an equestrian, training and competing in disciplines that included Western trail, English, dressage, jumping, polo and cutting.
“Joe’s enduring love of horses continues through this investment in future generations of animal health professionals,” said Frank W. Tripiano, trustee of the Joseph W. Tripiano Charitable Fund.
“Joe believed deeply in the bond between people and animals, especially horses, and supporting Cal Poly’s Animal Health Center ensures that students gain the hands-on experience they need to provide exceptional care while honoring the values that guided his life,” said Thomas Scott, trustee of the Joseph W. Tripiano Charitable Fund.
In 2025, the USDA declared 243 rural veterinary shortage areas in 46 states. The additional financial support will have a particular impact on Cal Poly’s large-animal courses, where students develop clinical skills caring for horses and other livestock under the guidance of faculty veterinarians.
The state-of-the-art Charles and Claire Jacobson Animal Health Center, opening to students in the fall 2026 semester, serves as a cornerstone of Cal Poly’s animal science programs, providing students with immersive clinical experiences while delivering high-quality care for companion animals and livestock.
The gift will in part help prepare students seeking careers in large animal veterinary care—addressing the shortage throughout the country, including ranching and farming communities like those in San Benito County
“Cal Poly’s focus on hands-on learning and our nationally recognized academic programs are preparing students to meet the needs related to domestic livestock and companion animal related industries across the nation,” said George Gallagher, department head of the Animal Science Department. “This gift allows us to further that investment in hands-on learning for students—enabling us to produce more and better trained veterinarians, researchers and animal production and management specialists to meet the needs across California and the nation.”
Through this investment, Joseph Tripiano’s passion for horses, ranching and animal stewardship will continue to inspire generations of Cal Poly students as they develop the knowledge and practical experience needed to care for animals through the university’s nationally recognized Learn by Doing philosophy.
“By honoring Joseph Tripiano’s legacy, this grant will help prepare thousands of Cal Poly students to become skilled, compassionate leaders in animal health while improving care for the animals they serve,” said Cassandra Kartashov, CEO of the Community Foundation for San Benito County.
This story was submitted by the Cal Poly University Communications and Marketing Department.
