Kathy Brauch of Hillsboro, animal science and management instructor at Laurel Oaks Career Campus, was presented with the Excellence in Laboratory Animal Science Award by the Southern Ohio Branch of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Science (SOB/AALAS).

The award was given in recognition of “significant contributions to the field of laboratory animal science.”

Brauch has been an instructor at Laurel Oaks since 2010. Before that she worked in the Husbandry Department at the University of Cincinnati, first as a technician and then as a supervisor.

As an animal science instructor, Brauch trains high school students to raise, care for, and work with a wide range of animals and manage facilities, and prepares them for certification leading to careers in animal science.

“Her dedication to Great Oaks and laboratory animal medicine truly amazes me. She supports laboratory animal medicine through her teachings at Laurel Oaks and being involved in the SOB/AALAS,” wrote Diamond Oaks Veterinary Assisting instructor Tamara Kuhel.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the Cincinnati Zoo in January.

Submitted by Jon Weidlich, Great Oaks community relations director.