Barbie Laderman-Jones

Barbie Laderman-Jones has served in leadership positions at multiple animal shelters—non-profit organizations that provide at-risk animals with lasting and loving homes—in California. She is also a published scholar in her field.

While her path was different than what she envisioned while she was a Husky (she graduated in 1992 with her BS in Biological Sciences and a certificate in secondary education), Laderman-Jones has dedicated her career to helping animals across the globe, after several years of being a teacher, using the tools she learned at Michigan Tech.

As a student, Laderman-Jones shared many memorable experiences: cheerleading during her freshman year, participating in endless activities with Delta Zeta, “bog bouncing” in botany class, earning a 4.0 GPA in her sophomore year, and finding guidance from Ron Gratz (professor emeritus in the Department of Biological Sciences).

“Michigan Tech made me feel very prepared to do an excellent job in the first phase of my career,” she said. “More importantly, I was able to navigate the pursuit of additional schooling to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a veterinarian specializing in shelter medicine.”

After graduating, Laderman-Jones worked as a high school teacher for the Peace Corps in Papua New Guinea (PNG)—a decision that was inspired by Gratz and Jeff Hogan ‘91, a fellow classmate of Laderman-Jones.

After her time in PNG ended in 1995, she taught biology and math at a public high school in California and worked at a veterinary clinic during the summers. 

In 1998, Laderman-Jones returned to Michigan to pursue a master’s in medical science from Wayne State University. She went on to graduate from the Atlantic Veterinary College at the University of Prince Edward Island in 2004, and completed a prestigious internship at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. 

She continued her education through a residency program in the emerging field of shelter medicine at the University of California, Davis. In 2008, Laderman-Jones was only the third veterinarian in the world to receive such training. During her residency, she traveled to several countries including Brazil, Japan, and Romania.

In 2017, Laderman-Jones received board certification in Shelter Medicine Practice from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. 

“Perhaps the biggest highlight of my career was a trip I made back to Papua New Guinea in 2018,” she said. “For two weeks, I volunteered with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Port Moresby, which was a dream of mine since I left. It was heart wrenching, but so rewarding.”

Laderman-Jones’ leadership positions include those at San Francisco SPCA and Placer SPCA. She has also participated in volunteer MASH-style spay/neuter clinics across the world, and has worked with multiple animal welfare organizations that aim to improve access to veterinary care.

“I believe my purpose in life is to help animals, and I’ve been so fortunate to have a career that allows me to do this on a regular basis,” she said. “I have volunteered for many reasons—to feel connected, to provide veterinary care to those who otherwise could not access it, to promote the humane treatment of animals, to help with things that are outside of my professional expertise, and to practice gratitude.”

In recognition of her volunteerism and ongoing work to help those in need across the world, Laderman-Jones will be presented with the Humanitarian Award by the Alumni Board of Directors in August 2025.

Updated May 2025