Dr. Paul Ryding Receives Alumni Recognition Award

Dr. Paul Ryding was the first alumnus to receive the Alumni Recognition Award from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) Veterinary Medical Alumni Association (VMAA). The award was presented on November 26, 2000 during the College's Alumni Reception held in conjunction with the Annual American Association of Equine Practitioners Meetings in San Antonio, Texas. It is the intention of the association to honor alumni with this recognition at several major veterinary conferences annually. The K-State CVM and its VMAA hosts several such alumni receptions at the various veterinary conferences and meetings throughout the United States and Canada.

Dr. Paul Ryding was born in Lindsborg, Kansas and raised in rural central Kansas. He attended Bethany College for two years. Dr. Ryding transferred to KSU in the fall of 1960 where he earned a BS, 1963, and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 1965. After graduation, Dr. Ryding purchased a practice in Wichita from Dr. James Coffman. The practice was operated as a partnership with classmate, Dr. Frank Solomon. The practice was a combination of small animal/equine medicine. In 1972 Dr. Solomon took over the small animal medicine portion of the practice while Dr. Ryding concentrated on the equine side of the business. With the growing demands in equine medicine, in 1975, he was able to build a clinic in Wichita with a practice limited to equine surgery and medicine. In 1977 Dr. Ryding established the Equine Surgery and Medicine Clinic as sole owner. It expanded into a two doctor clinic and has been operating as such since 1984. The clinic's focus has been Diagnostics, Reproduction, Lameness and certain surgical procedures. Dr. Ryding also designed and patented the Ryding Hoof Tester.

Dr. Ryding has been involved in several professional organizations in his career. He served as President of the Student Chapter of the Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA) in 1970 and is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, the AAEP, and SCVMA. He has served on the Advisory Committee for their local Public TV and the Advisory Committee for the KSU CVM.

Dr. Ryding is married to Shari, a KSU graduate and has three daughters, Paula, Wendy and Amy. He has aspirations of selling his practice and starting a business related to veterinary equipment and instruments. He says that over the years he has learned to have patience, appreciate people, and value other people's opinions.