Leanda Livesey BVM&S, BSc (Hons), Cert VA, Cert EIM, Dip. ACVIM, MRCVS
(Born June 1967, Graduated Edinburgh University 1991, Died January 2025)
Leanda was born in Brigham, West Cumbria in June 1967, a much-loved daughter to Albert and Patricia Livesey and sister to Albert.
Leanda had a wonderful childhood in Brigham. She shared a passion for animals, especially horses, with her father, and a love of music, literature, and the arts with her beloved mother.
After a stellar career at school, she set her heart on becoming a vet and spent happy days “seeing practice” at the local veterinary practice in Brigham. She entered Edinburgh Veterinary School in 1985. Leanda was a warm and caring person with a brilliant sense of humour. She was effortlessly intelligent, full of fun and a force of nature. At Edinburgh, Leanda was introduced to rowing and both the sport itself, and the social life that went with it, made for extremely happy times. In 1990 she was very proudly awarded her University of Edinburgh Half Blue for rowing, which is presented by the Sports Union to the University's top sports persons.
Leanda graduated as a vet in 1991 and worked in first opinion and referral equine practice. She completed an Equine Residency at the Royal Veterinary College, gaining her RCVS Certificates in both Equine Internal Medicine and Veterinary Anaesthesia.
Always brave and adventurous, she accepted the opportunity to work at the prestigious Equine Department of Auburn University in Alabama, USA. She threw herself in to life in the southern state and soon met and married her husband, Jody. They were blessed with two amazing and talented children, Luke and Chloe, who were Leanda’s absolute pride and joy. She completed her residency at Auburn and was awarded a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
In 2016, Leanda moved to an associate professor position in the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine, Alabama. Here, she was made Section Chief of Large Animal Medicine. She was a hugely popular teacher who was so proud to have been awarded the Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teaching award in 2024.
Leanda was a brilliant equine vet, inspirational teacher, a loyal, caring and very funny friend. Everyone who met her will have their own special memories of her to cherish and we are so sad to share with the profession the news of her passing.
Leanda just loved life and was taken far too soon.
Jennifer “Brownie Dancing” Duncan
Joyce “Cup of Tea and Twirl” Murray
Dave “Dancing Queen “McCormack