Dr. Beltaire joined our faculty in 2013. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree at Denison University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Tufts University. She worked in private large animal practice as well as veterinary academia before coming to the University of Massachusetts.
Dr. Beltaire teaches Introduction to Animal Science, Introduction to Animal Management, Advanced Animal Health and Management, Belted Galloway Management, Artificial Insemination Certification, as well as serving as the UMass Farms Clinical Veterinarian.
Dr. Beltaire's students nominated her and enthusiatically endorsed her nomination. Below are excerpts from the students' letters of endorsement.
"From basic injection techniques, to ultrasonography, to pulling a calf, Dr. Beltaire has taught me so much in this short span of four years. She has shown me not only how to perform as a veterinarian, but what kind of veterinarian I want to be. Not “what kind” in the large animal-vs-small animal sense, but as a person, she is knowledgeable, personable, and professional while maintaining her approachable and supporting nature. Watching her interact with students other than myself, I find myself wanting to emulate her intellectual and compassionate style in my own career. Her care and concern for not only the animals, but for the understanding of her students, is what makes her such a successful veterinarian and treasured mentor."
"She is a treasure to the school and to all the students with whom she is in contact. I can honestly say that I am in veterinary school now due to the encouragement and confidence Dr. Beltaire instilled in me. She showed me how a good veterinarian practices and engages effectively with others."
"Despite her incredible intelligence and knowledge of the field of veterinary medicine, she was able to teach students unfamiliar with the subject with ease in a way that we could understand. She made the lab portion more focused on clinically relevant animal information and began to treat us all as budding veterinarians, even if we were not sure if we would chose that career."
"We could speak freely to her about school, career and life and we always knew she was looking out for our best interests. She periodically sends me emails (at vet school) to check in and make sure that I’m adjusting well. Her messages of reassurance and confidence in me and my abilities constantly revitalize my drive and determination to be here at vet school and do well."
"She goes above and beyond to allow students to learn and take advantage of every opportunity to learn something new and interesting. For example, I was at the barn when she invited and encouraged any interested students who were in the barn and could take a few minutes, to help and watch a minimally invasive surgical procedure needed to be performed on a baby goat."
"What amazes me the most about Dr. Beltaire is that in addition to teaching an array of classes, she is also the farm veterinarian. She is on call 24/7 to treat any emergences that arise. When an emergency arises, Dr. Beltaire drops everything she is doing to deal with situation, day or night. There are nights when she will be at the barn all night long performing surgeries or caring for sick patients, and she will still show up for class the next morning with a smile on her face. When she is at the barn she is so enthusiastic to be there and to teach us outside of the classroom."
"During class discussions she would call on us by name. There were over a hundred kids in this class, and it felt good to know Dr. Beltaire didn’t just see me as a number, she saw me as an individual with the potential to succeed."
"One Saturday morning, four of my peers and I received a phone call from Dr. Beltaire asking if we could assist her in helping a cow deliver her calf. We did not simply watch Dr. Beltaire deliver the calf, she instructed us in assisting her with the tasks involved. It would have been more efficient if she had done the procedure herself but she chose to guide her students in an incredibly unique learning experience."
"I don’t think my experience here at UMass would have been nearly as rewarding if she had not been around to inspire levels of interest and confidence in myself that I did not even know were there."
"She has taken me under her wing both in the classroom and in the barn, letting me soak up her knowledge like a sponge. She’s so open and receptive to any questions I may have and always encourages me to keep asking, and to try things myself after observing her technique."
Veterinary and Animal Sciences