8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

July 25, 2005

Date of report

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Minnesota	0-20572	41-0886515
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1031 Mendota Heights Road

St. Paul, Minnesota 55120

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

(651) 686-1600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

ITEM 5.02 DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS

(b) On July 25, 2005, David K. Beecken resigned as a director of Patterson Companies, Inc. A press release announcing Mr. Beecken’s resignation, dated July 29, 2005, is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) EXHIBITS

99 Press release of Patterson Companies, Inc., dated July 29, 2005.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.
Date: July 29, 2005	By:	/s/ R. Stephen Armstrong
		R. Stephen Armstrong
		Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal
		Accounting Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description
99	Press release of Patterson Companies, Inc., dated July 29, 2005.

EX-99

Exhibit 99

Patterson Companies Reports Change in Board of Directors

St. Paul, MN—July 29, 2005—Patterson Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDCO) today announced the resignation of David K. Beecken from its Board of Directors. Mr. Beecken determined that a recent investment in a Patterson supplier by his firm, Beecken Petty O’Keefe & Company, could result in a potential conflict of interest under Patterson’s well-established code of ethics. Rather than compromise the integrity of Patterson’s code by seeking a waiver of this potential conflict, he elected to resign from Patterson’s board.

Patterson intends to seek a replacement for the board position vacated by Mr. Beecken.

Peter L. Frechette, Patterson’s chairman, commented: “We will miss David’s wise counsel and perspective, and his decision to resign his seat fully reflects his commitment to Patterson’s values and code of ethics. During his nearly 20-year tenure on our board, he has made significant contributions to Patterson’s success by providing valuable insight into the development of our overall vision and business strategies. We wish David the very best in all of his current and future pursuits.”

Mr. Beecken said: “My long tenure as a Patterson director has been deeply rewarding, both professionally and personally. I am proud of my association with Patterson and its management team, and I am confident of the company’s continued success in the future.”

About Patterson Companies, Inc.

Patterson Companies, Inc. is a value-added distributor serving the dental, companion-pet veterinarian and rehabilitation supply markets.

Dental Market

As Patterson’s largest business, Patterson Dental provides a virtually complete range of consumable dental products, equipment and software, turnkey digital solutions and value-added services to dentists and dental laboratories throughout North America.

Veterinary Market

Webster Veterinary is the nation’s second largest distributor of consumable veterinary supplies, equipment, diagnostic products, vaccines and pharmaceuticals to companion-pet veterinary clinics.

Rehabilitation Market

Patterson Medical (formerly AbilityOne Corporation) is the world’s leading distributor of rehabilitation supplies and non-wheelchair assistive patient products to the physical and occupational therapy markets. The unit’s global customer base includes hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics and dealers.

#     #     #

For additional information contact:
R. Stephen Armstrong	Richard G. Cinquina
Executive Vice President & CFO	Equity Market Partners
651/686-1600	904/261-2210