Exhibit 99

Patterson Companies Reports Improved First Quarter Operating Results.

St. Paul, MN—August 23, 2007—Patterson Companies, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDCO) today reported consolidated sales of $701,403,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2008 ended July 28, an increase of 7% from $655,488,000 in the year-earlier quarter. Net income came to $47,544,000 or $0.35 per diluted share, up 14% from $41,584,000 or $0.30 per diluted share in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

First quarter earnings benefited from an increase in the gross margin of its dental business, which accounts for approximately 75% of Patterson’s sales, as well as further improvements in Patterson’s overall cost structure.

Sales of Patterson Dental, Patterson’s largest business, increased 6% to $499,727,000 in this year’s first quarter.

• Sales of consumable dental supplies and printed office products increased 6%.

• Sales of dental equipment increased 4% in the first quarter. Sales of basic dental equipment rose 8%, which included a solid contribution from digital radiography systems and related software. Sales of CEREC 3D® dental restorative systems declined in the first quarter as the process of transitioning significant product upgrades into the marketplace took longer than anticipated during this period.

• Sales of other services and products, consisting primarily of technical service parts and labor, software support services and artificial teeth increased 11% in the first quarter.

Sales of the Webster Veterinary unit increased 10% in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 to $110,414,000. Sales of Patterson Medical, Patterson’s rehabilitation supply and equipment unit, rose 10% to $91,262,000, which included contributions from the six branch offices that have been opened since last year’s second quarter.

James W. Wiltz, president and chief executive officer, commented: “We are generally pleased by the first quarter performance of our dental business, which benefited from solid sales of consumable supplies and basic equipment. Demand also remained strong for digital radiography systems and software. In addition, we are experiencing solid demand, consistent with our expectations, from existing customers for the upgraded CEREC crown milling chamber that was introduced toward the end of fiscal 2007. The rate at which we receive the new milling chambers from the manufacturer will dictate the pace at which we can meet customer demand over the balance of fiscal 2008. We continue to believe that CEREC sales should strengthen as we progress through this fiscal year.”

He continued: “Patterson’s veterinary business benefited from continued sales growth of consumable supplies and a 30% increase in sales of equipment and IntraVet® practice management software. Webster’s strategic emphasis on equipment and software is a key part of the unit’s ongoing effort to expand its full-service, value-added proposition. Patterson Medical also recorded another quarter of solid sales growth, due to the positive impact of its branch office strategy and other growth initiatives. Like Webster, Patterson Medical is focused on strengthening its value-added platform, making us confident this business is on course towards realizing its potential in the large and growing rehabilitation market.”

Patterson is forecasting earnings of $0.39 to $0.41 per diluted share for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 ending October 27, 2007. Patterson also reiterated its previously issued fiscal 2008 financial guidance of $1.73 to $1.77 per diluted share.

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 and software, 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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This release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company’s ability to control. The Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that the following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements: competition within the dental, veterinary, and rehabilitative and assistive living supply industries; changes in the economics of dentistry, including reduced growth in expenditures by private dental insurance plans, the effects of economic conditions and the effects of healthcare reform, which may affect future per capita expenditures for dental services and the ability and willingness of dentists to invest in high-technology products; the effects of healthcare related legislation and regulation which may affect expenditures or reimbursements for rehabilitative and assistive products; changes in the economics of the veterinary supply market, including reduced growth in per capita expenditures for veterinary services and reduced growth in the number of households owning pets; the ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with its sales force; unforeseen operating risks; risks associated with the dependence on manufacturers of the Company’s products; and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate the recent acquisitions into its existing business. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary language set forth in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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

First Quarter Conference Call and Replay

Patterson’s first quarter earnings conference call will start at 10:00 a.m. Eastern today. Investors can listen to a live webcast of the conference call at www.pattersoncompanies.com. Listeners should go to this website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be archived on Patterson’s web site. A replay of the first quarter conference call can be heard through August 30, 2007 by dialing 1-303-590-3000 and providing the 11095621 confirmation code.

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except for earnings per share)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	July 28, 2007			July 29, 2006
Net sales		$701,403			$655,488
Gross profit		237,134			222,414
Operating expenses		161,927			153,877
Operating income		75,207			68,537
Other income (expense), net		605			(1,841	)
Income before taxes		75,812			66,696
Income taxes		28,268			25,112
Net income	$	47,544		$	41,584
Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.35		$	0.30
Diluted	$	0.35		$	0.30
Shares:
Basic		135,785			138,208
Diluted		136,745			139,168
Gross margin		33.8	%		34.0	%
Operating expenses as a % of net sales		23.1	%		23.5	%
Operating income as a % of net sales		10.7	%		10.5	%
Effective tax rate		37.3	%		37.7	%
Return on net sales		6.8	%		6.3	%

-more-

PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

	July 28, 2007		April 28, 2007
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and short-term investments	$	294,232	$	241,791
Receivables, net		333,642		361,401
Inventory		280,878		250,207
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		34,589		33,091
Total current assets		943,341		886,490
Property and equipment, net		132,179		131,952
Goodwill and other intangible assets		764,446		762,930
Other		156,834		158,948
Total Assets	$	1,996,800	$	1,940,320
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	171,403	$	182,761
Other accrued liabilities		138,401		144,694
Current maturities of long-term debt		50,008		50,014
Total current liabilities		359,812		377,469
Long-term debt		130,077		130,010
Other non-current liabilities		68,020		53,627
Total liabilities		557,909		561,106
Stockholders' equity		1,438,891		1,379,214
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$	1,996,800	$	1,940,320

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	July 28, 2007			July 29, 2006
Consolidated Net Sales
Consumable and printed products	$	463,541		$	433,815
Equipment and software		180,860			169,445
Other		57,002			52,228
Total	$	701,403		$	655,488
Dental Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	295,407		$	279,417
Equipment and software		152,733			146,998
Other		51,587			46,294
Total	$	499,727		$	472,709
Rehabilitation Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	66,322		$	61,786
Equipment		21,175			17,146
Other		3,765			3,733
Total	$	91,262		$	82,665
Veterinary Supply
Consumable and printed products	$	101,812		$	92,612
Equipment and software		6,952			5,301
Other		1,650			2,201
Total	$	110,414		$	100,114
Other Income (Expense), net
Interest income	$	2,348		$	1,947
Interest expense		(2,497	)		(3,806	)
Other		754			18
	$	605		$	(1,841	)

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PATTERSON COMPANIES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	July 28, 2007			July 29, 2006
Operating activities:
Net income	$	47,544		$	41,584
Depreciation & amortization		6,083			6,244
Stock-based compensation		1,969			2,068
Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquired		(2,456	)		2,626
Net cash provided by operating activities		53,140			52,522
Investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment, net		(5,007	)		(6,665	)
Acquisitions		(2,828	)		(4,064	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(7,835	)		(10,729	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		7,136			(961	)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	$	52,441		$	40,832