Dr. Jackie Jaloszynski and Sid Bragg are dog lovers to the nth degree, so much so that they have set up three endowments at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine to help ensure that the college’s ability to focus on innovative research and compassionate care continues for generations to come.

The couple, who live part-time in Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina, now have bestowed a third Coat of Excellence as well to honor the NC State veterinarians who have made a difference in their lives.

Jaloszynski said Dr. David Knazovicky’s dedication to his work was simply inspiring when he cared for their dog Hudson. Knazovicky, senior clinician on the Small Animal Orthopedics Service, treated Hudson, a 4-year-old lagotto romagnolo, for a bone spur and ripped tendon in his knee.

“David is just so passionate for what he does, for the people he’s with, for the dogs that he’s with,” Jaloszynki said. “It just emanates from him, and I love the connection he makes not only with us, but to the little four legged beasts that come through.”

The Coat of Excellence program helps clients express their appreciation to outstanding faculty and staff members at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine. In addition to Knazovicky, Jaloszynski and Bragg have honored Dr. Ina Herrmann, an assistant professor of dermatology, for her treatment of Hudson’s allergy issues, and Dr. Anna McManamey, a cardiology resident at the time, who treated their late dog Lukus for ventricular tachycardia — a serious heart arrhythmia.  

Two of the endowments are named for Lukus and Winston, their beloved bichons who passed away before 2020. The couple waited three years before opening their hearts again to Hudson and now Bella, 3, both lagotto romagnolos, an ancient Italian breed skilled at hunting truffles.

With Dr. Knazovicky, Jaloszynki said with a laugh that she was particularly impressed that the surgeon didn’t recommend surgery.

“You have to be careful, because even as humans, if you go see a surgeon, you’re going to get surgery, because that’s what they do,” she said. “Although that’s what David does, he also knows how to differentiate between what’s a surgical case and what’s nonsurgical.”

Jaloszynski said she believes Hudson hurt himself by falling into a gopher hole. She is grateful that Knazovicky ordered a CT rather than an X-ray so that the medical team would be able to see the small tear he suspected. 

“I am so humbled by this recognition,” Dr. Knazovicky said. “I truly do love what I do for both the owners and the pets that they love so much. I’m glad we were able to identify Hudson’s source of pain and target the treatment for it.”

Hudson now is completing rehabilitation at NC State under the care of Dr. Caitlyn Redding Horne, an equine sports medicine clinical veterinarian. 

“David cares so much about everything he does and wants to make sure everything’s perfect,” Jaloszynski said. “The first couple times of rehab, he showed up just to communicate with Dr. Horne exactly what was going on. He is one of the greatest assets that NC State could have.”