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

December 23, 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 8.01 OTHER EVENTS

On December 23, 2005, Patterson Companies, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing the resignation of Scott R. Kabbes, president of the Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. unit, effective December 31, 2005. Mr. Kabbes is not a principal officer of the Company. James W. Wiltz, in addition to his current roles as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, will assume the leadership of the dental business on an interim basis at least through the end of fiscal 2006 ending April 29, 2006. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

(c) EXHIBITS

99 Press release of Patterson Companies, Inc., dated December 23, 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: December 23, 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 December 23, 2005.

EX-99

Exhibit 99

Patterson Companies Announces Resignation of Head of Dental Business

St. Paul, MN—December 23, 2005—Patterson Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDCO) today announced the resignation of Scott R. Kabbes, president of the Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. unit, effective December 31, 2005. James W. Wiltz, in addition to his current positions as Patterson’s president and chief executive officer, will assume the leadership of the dental business on an interim basis at least through the end of fiscal 2006 ending April 29, 2006.

Wiltz commented: “We are disappointed by Scott’s decision to leave Patterson, since he has been an outstanding leader of our dental business. However, given his desire to pursue more entrepreneurial endeavors, as well as spend more time with his family, we respect Scott’s decision and wish him the very best in all of his future activities.”

He added: “Having been president of Patterson Dental Supply for seven years before becoming Patterson Companies’ president and chief operating officer in 2003, it was logical for me to assume the leadership position of our dental business, at least through the end of the current fiscal year. I will be assisted in this role by Gary D. Johnson, our corporate vice president of operations, and formerly vice president of sales for Patterson Dental Supply.”

Kabbes said: “This was a difficult decision for me, because Patterson is a very special company with an extremely promising future. Working here has been a sincere privilege, and my tenure at Patterson marks one of the most professionally and personally rewarding periods of my career. I will do my utmost to insure a smooth transition and have committed to assist in this effort over the next year.”

Kabbes joined Patterson in 1997 following the acquisition of EagleSoft, Inc., the dental software company that he co-founded and served as president. He became president of Patterson Dental Supply in 2003.

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 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.

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For additional information contact:
R. Stephen Armstrong	Richard G. Cinquina
Executive Vice President & CFO	Equity Market Partners
651/686-1600	904/415-1415