Holiday Tips for Pet Health from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine
The phrase “Happy Holidays” should remind us as pet owners that we have some special responsibilities during this season of the year to keep the holidays safe for our animal companions. And in 2020, that means being prepared to take some extra precautions because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Lorraine Corriveau, wellness clinician in Small Animal Primary Care at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, said currently there is no major evidence to suggest animals play a significant role in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to COVID-19 in people. But she emphasized more studies are needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.
“Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low,” Dr. Corriveau said. “But it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations. So, people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should avoid contact with animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.”
Dr. Corriveau further advised that people with COVID-19 who are quarantining should take the same precautions with household animals as they would with other members of their homes. “Specifically, while a person with COVID-19 is symptomatic, they should maintain separation from household animals, and avoid direct contact with pets, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, sleeping in the same location, and sharing food or bedding,” Dr. Corriveau said. “If possible, another household member should be designated to care for pets in the home and should follow standard handwashing practices before and after interacting with the household animal.” She added, if a person with COVID-19 must care for pets or other animals, they should wash their hands thoroughly before and after contact is made with them.
At the same time, pet owners should be mindful of more traditional risks to animals during the holidays. Even with smaller holiday gatherings of just family being the norm this year due to the pandemic, pets face a variety of health threats related to holiday traditions ranging from decorations to food. Dr. Corriveau suggests the following check list for holiday pet safety:
Chocolate consumption is very dangerous to pets especially dogs. Chocolate contains a chemical called theobromine which can be fatal to dogs if they consume too much of it. Since dogs themselves are not aware of this be sure to keep your guard up, like a guard dog.
Tinsel may be appealing to cats, but it can cause the intestines to bunch up and even can cut through the intestinal wall! Either could be fatal, and would certainly mean a trip to the veterinarian’s office.
Electric cords may seem like a fun chew toy to puppies and kitties, and put animals at risk of serious burns and electric shocks.
Ornaments can fascinate pets, and they do not understand words like “breakable,” “family heirloom,” or “sentimental value.” Rambunctious dogs, cats, and ferrets have been known to topple many an ornament and knick-knack, and sometimes even whole Christmas trees.
Candles may pique the interest of pets with their dancing flames, and that may lead to a pet toppling one over or even being set on fire.
Decorative plants like Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe can appear as vegetables to pets, but these can be poisonous if swallowed. For a full list of toxic plants, you can check with the ASPCA Animal Poison Control website at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control. If you have an emergency, you can call the Animal Poison Control hotline at: 1-888-426-4435.
Overeating is not uncommon this time of year, for humans and pets alike. Table scraps, garbage raiding, and counter surfing can lead to much richer food in your pet’s stomach than usual, which can cause digestion problems and even serious inflammation of the pancreas that can be life-threatening. Help your pets stick to their normal diet – even if they plead with you not to.
Noisemakers can be fun for humans this time of year, especially on New Year’s Eve, but pets may be sensitive to them. Make sure to keep your furry friends in mind If you anticipate that some fireworks or noisemakers will be within earshot of your pets, be certain they are in a safe place away from the noise. Also, be sure that your pet isn’t able to escape the house or yard.
New Pets are often welcomed around this time of year, but the holidays are a bright, noisy and exciting time of year, which can be a little overwhelming for new members of the household, especially younger animals. Dr. Corriveau recommends waiting until after the holidays are over to get a new pet so you can introduce your new pet into a quiet, safe environment.
Dr. Laurent Couëtil uses an equine nebulizer to administer treatment for asthma. (Purdue University photo/Rebecca Wilcox)
Researchers recently revealed that feeding Thoroughbred racehorses in training and racing certain alternatives to dry hay resulted in 30% fewer respirable dust particles in horses’ breathing zones and decreased airway inflammation.
Laurent L. Couëtil, DVM, PhD, professor of Large Animal Internal Medicine and director of Equine Research Programs and Equine Sports Medicine Center at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Indiana, presented data showing the benefits of avoiding dry hay in horses with mild airway inflammation, also known as equine asthma (EA), during the 2020 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Convention, which is being held virtually.
The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine recognizes three faculty members on the occasion of their retirement this year.
Gert Breur, DVM, PhD
Dr. Gert Breur, professor of small animal surgery in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and director of the Center for Comparative Translational Research, retired effective January 31, 2020. Dr. Breur earned a kandidaats degree in veterinary medicine in 1974 followed by a doctoraal degree in veterinary medicine in 1976, and a dierenarts degree (DVM equivalent) and a kandidaats degree in law in 1980 ― all from the State University of Utrecht. Dr. Breur then came to the U.S., earning a master’s degree at Michigan State University in 1986 followed by a PhD in 1990 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served as an assistant professor at the University of Saskatchewan before coming to Purdue as a visiting assistant professor of small animal surgery in 1991. He continued on as assistant professor and was promoted to associate professor in 1997 and full professor in 2005. Dr. Breur is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Joseph Camp, Jr., PhD
Dr. Joseph Camp, professor emeritus in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology, retired effective June 30. Dr. Camp earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University in 1974 and 1977 respectively. He then went on to earn a PhD degree from Wake Forest University in 1980. Dr. Camp worked in several higher education institutions before joining the faculty at Purdue Veterinary Medicine as professor of veterinary parasitology in 2003. During his tenure, he also coordinated Hatch/Animal Health projects for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, Dr. Camp served as secretary of faculties for Purdue University.
James Walker, PhD
Dr. James Walker, associate professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences and associate director of the Indiana University School of Medicine – West Lafayette, retired effective December 31. Dr. Walker earned a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1976 followed by a master’s at Montana State University in 1984 and a PhD from The Ohio State University in 1988. He joined the PVM faculty in 1994 as assistant professor of human anatomy, and also served as an adjunct assistant professor at the IU School of Medicine. In 1997, Dr. Walker was named the associate director of the IU School of Medicine – West Lafayette. In 2000, he was promoted to associate professor at PVM and also adjunct associate professor at the IU School of Medicine.
The College of Veterinary Medicine welcomed the following faculty members to the PVM family in the past year. The vast experience and expertise each brings to the Purdue community as educators, clinicians, and researchers continues to elevate the college as a leader in the field of veterinary medicine. Please join us in welcoming these Boilermakers!
Shin Ae Park, DVM, PhD
Shin Ae Park, DVM, PhD joined the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences as assistant professor of ophthalmology effective December 2, 2019. Dr. Park earned her DVM degree from Konkuk University in 2001 followed by a PhD degree at Seoul National University in 2009, both in South Korea. She went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California, Davis and residency program at Michigan State University before coming to Purdue. Dr. Park is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. Her interests include biomechanics in glaucoma, ocular surgeries, and ocular pain management.
Sun Young Kim, DVM, MS
Sun Young Kim, DVM, MS became a member of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences upon his appointment as associate professor of small animal surgery January 2, 2020. Dr. Kim earned both a DVM and master’s degree from Seoul National University in South Korea. He then completed a residency program at the University of California, Davis in 2012 before joining their faculty as assistant professor. He went on to serve as a faculty member at Michigan State University before coming to Purdue. Dr. Kim is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA
Ellen Lowery, DVM, PhD, MBA joined the Department of Veterinary Administration as clinical professor upon her appointment as director of the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital effective February 1. Dr. Lowery earned her DVM and PhD degrees from Kansas State University. She then went on to complete an MBA program at the University of Kansas. Dr. Lowery previously served on the faculty at Kansas State University, and prior to that she had a distinguished 23-year career at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Dr. Lowery serves on the board of directors for the American Association of Industry Veterinarians.
Nobuko Wakamatsu-Utsuki, DVM, PhD
Nobuko Wakamatsu-Utsuki, DVM, PhD joined the Department of Comparative Pathobiology as clinical associate professor and the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory as anatomic pathologist March 15. She earned a BVSc from Kitasato University in Japan followed by a PhD and anatomic pathology residency at the University of Georgia. She then completed post-doctoral training at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Toxicology Program, and National Institutes of Health before serving on the faculty at Louisiana State University. Dr. Wakamatsu-Utsuki is board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and the American College of Poultry Veterinarians.
Jessica Ogden, DVM
Jessica Ogden, DVM was appointed as clinical assistant professor of small animal soft tissue surgery in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences effective May 11. Dr. Ogden earned her DVM degree from Michigan State University in 2013 before completing a residency program at the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in 2018. She then completed a fellowship in surgical oncology at The Ohio State University in 2019 before coming to Purdue. Dr. Ogden is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (small animal).
Melinda Anderson, PharmD
Melinda “Mindy” Anderson, PharmD joined the Department of Basic Medical Sciences as clinical assistant professor of basic medical sciences (pharmacology) effective July 1. Dr. Anderson earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Purdue in 2018 and completed the one-year Wasson Veterinary Pharmacy Residency program in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital before serving as a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences. Before making the career switch to pharmacy, she previously earned an associate’s degree in veterinary technology at Purdue, and served as chief instructional technologist in the hospital.
Chad Brown, DVM
Chad Brown, DVM joined the Department of Veterinary Administration as clinical associate professor upon his appointment as director of the Veterinary Nursing Program effective August 17. Dr. Brown earned his DVM degree from Purdue in 2001. He worked in private practice and established his own mixed animal hospital before also venturing into academia as an adjunct faculty instructor and staff veterinarian for Ohio University. In 2015, Dr. Brown sold his practice and accepted a full-time faculty position at Mountwest Community and Technical College’s Veterinary Technology Program in Huntington, W.Va. before returning to Purdue.
Adam Kimbrough, PhD
Adam Kimbrough, PhD joined the Department of Basic Medical Sciences as assistant professor of basic medical sciences (neuroanatomy) effective September 1. Dr. Kimbrough earned his PhD in 2015 from Florida State University and then completed a post-doctoral program at The Scripps Research Institute. He comes to Purdue from the University of California, San Diego where he served as assistant project scientist. Dr. Kimbrough’s research interests include neurodegeneration, substance use disorders, and mental health disorders.
Allyson Sterman, DVM
Allyson Sterman, DVM became a faculty member in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences upon her appointment as clinical assistant professor of small animal soft tissue surgery September 1. Dr. Sterman earned her DVM from The Ohio State University in 2015. She then went on to complete a residency program at Texas A&M University before coming to Purdue. Her areas of interest include soft tissue surgery, surgical oncology, and wound care.
Wendy Beauvais, BVetMed, MSc (VetEpi), PhD, MRCVS
Wendy Beauvais, BVetMed, MSc (VetEpi), PhD, MRCVS joined the Department of Comparative Pathobiology as assistant professor of epidemiology and public health effective November 5. Dr. Beauvais earned her BVetMed degree in 2007 followed by a MSc in veterinary epidemiology in 2010 from the Royal Veterinary College at the University of London. She went on to complete a residency program in public health in 2015 and earned her PhD degree in 2016, also at the Royal Veterinary College. Her research interests include mathematical modeling, statistical analysis, infectious diseases, zoonoses, and antimicrobial resistance.
Isabelle Vanhaezebrouck, DVM
Isabelle Vanhaezebrouck, DVM was appointed as clinical associate professor of radiation oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences effective November 1. Dr. Vanhaezebrouck earned her DVM degree from the Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire Maisons ― Alfort in Paris, France. She worked in private practice before completing an international fellowship in oncology at Michigan State University in 2009. She then completed a residency program in radiation oncology at the University of California, Davis in 2011. Dr. Vanhaezebrouck is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology (radiation oncology) and the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (radiation oncology), and a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Pursuing a veterinary education provides the unique opportunity to gain knowledge, build relationships, and create an exciting future as a young professional. It is also a time when students face immense pressure to excel academically and take on additional financial responsibility. Faculty and staff at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine do their best to support students not only academically, but also as they navigate the “highs and lows” of college life. This year, a global pandemic resulted in additional challenges for everyone, but the steadfast philanthropic support of alumni, clients, and friends made an especially meaningful impact on students in need.
One of the top worries for veterinary students is educational debt. The College of Veterinary Medicine currently has one of the most affordable professional programs in the country; however, the cost of a veterinary education remains significant, meaning new graduates still can face a challenging debt to income ratio as they begin their careers. That’s where student support can make an astounding difference.
Student scholarships are a pivotal “X-factor,” mitigating what otherwise can be a source of discouragement for promising future veterinary professionals. During the 2019-2020 academic year, Purdue DVM and Veterinary Nursing students received $1.14 million in scholarship assistance. That means the college was able to award some level of support to 75 percent of its students.
One of those recipients is Emily Hess, a student in the DVM Class of 2022, who received a scholarship funded by a Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumni class. “As a student who is interested in continuing her education in the form of an internship and residency, I am appreciative of my scholarship since it will enable me to take on less debt as I pursue my future career goals,” Emily said. “Receiving a scholarship from a previous veterinary class reminds me of the generosity that is present within the veterinary community. I am very thankful to be supported by veterinarians who previously walked the same hallways that I do today.”
For students, a scholarship can mean the difference between having to work a second job or being able to study adequately for an exam. For alumni, giving to scholarships is a direct way to improve the life of another person, stay engaged with the next generation of veterinary professionals, and leave a lasting legacy.
In addition to supporting students through scholarships, the college also prioritizes resources for student health and well-being. A wide array of counseling and wellness services are available within the college to promote academic success, psychological well-being, and healthy relationships in the context of a sound life experience for all students. These services are provided for Purdue Veterinary Medicine students by Dr. Colleen Maguire Jackson, an Indiana licensed psychologist, and Catherine Lawhorne, MA, an Indiana licensed mental health counselor.
In March, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all counseling services transitioned to telehealth delivery so they could be accessible for all students as they worked from home. Now, as part of the Protect Purdue initiative, this platform continues to be widely used by students. By mid-November 2020, requests for counseling services had increased 155 percent since fall 2018 (during 2019, PVM was without a therapist). Students seek personal counseling for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to: adjusting and transitioning to the academic program or to the professional world, feelings of self-doubt known as “imposter syndrome,” relationship and communication skills, depression, anxiety, grief, and loss. In addition, academic counseling is available to help students with such issues as: time and stress management, improving concentration, and strengthening study skills. Moreover, assistance for urgent mental health needs and emergency assistance is available as well.
Several well-being topics being integrated into the classroom during the past year include:
The “Upside” of Stress;
Coping Skills for COVID-19: Resiliency While Being Socially Distant;
Self-care Skills to Prepare for the Clinical Year;
Mental Health and Well-being for Caregivers;
Compassion Fatigue and Wellness;
Resiliency and Introduction to Counseling;
Deepening Resiliency Skills;
Introduction to Well-being, Impostor Syndrome;
Managing Perfectionism; and
Substance Abuse and Ethics for Veterinary Nursing.
Many of these topics have resonated with students this year, who shared that they appreciated receiving concrete ideas about how to implement wellness strategies as opposed to only hearing about the importance of well-being. They also explained that the skills provided are useful because they can be incorporated throughout the day instead of just tips to add to their already long to do lists.
Throughout the past year, alumni and friends of the college have been personally impacted by the reality of mental health challenges, sometimes even involving the loss of classmates, family members, and friends; but with deep grief came inspiration. Thanks to heartfelt conversations evoking the urgent need for support, the college was able to establish the new Well-Being Fund to help ensure PVM students are equipped with resources to help them navigate not only their future careers in the veterinary profession, but also life as a whole.
These programs can mean the world to students in need, and contributions from generous individuals are essential to helping the College of Veterinary Medicine maintain and expand these offerings. If you would like to make a difference in the lives of students by supporting scholarships or well-being initiatives, contact the Development office at 765-494-6304 or email PVMgiving@prf.org for more information.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institutes of Health has awarded the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine a $1.4 million grant over five years to prepare individuals from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences to earn a PhD, DVM/PhD, or MD/PhD degree. The grant was awarded through the NIGMS Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP). The Purdue PREP for Translational Biomedical Science will be based in the College of Veterinary Medicine, which is the first veterinary college to successfully compete for this type of grant, and will include faculty research mentors from across the Purdue campus.
Purdue PREP scholars will have the opportunity to enhance their skill set in four main areas:
Research Aptitude;
Academics;
Professional Development and Career Planning; and
Resiliency.
The program will be co-directed by Susan Mendrysa, PhD, associate professor of basic medical sciences, and Harm HogenEsch, DVM, PhD, associate dean for research and professor of immunopathology in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology.
Dr. Mendrysa said the goal of Purdue PREP is to enhance the cognitive diversity of the biomedical workforce by increasing the number of college graduates from underrepresented backgrounds that successfully enter and complete a PhD or dual-doctoral degree program in translational biomedical sciences. “The cognitive diversity of the biomedical workforce must grow to maximize scientific innovation and enhance U.S. global competitiveness in addressing human health concerns,” Dr. Mendrysa emphasized. “This growth can be achieved, in part, through greater inclusion of individuals from specific racial and ethnic groups, with physical disabilities, and from challenging socioeconomic backgrounds that are currently significantly underrepresented in the biomedical sciences.”
The Purdue University Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program for Translational Biomedical Science is co-directed by Drs. Susan Mendrysa and Harm HogenEsch.
Drs. Mendrysa and HogenEsch will work with a strong PVM leadership team including Marxa Figueiredo, PhD, associate professor of basic medical sciences, and Latonia Craig, EdD, assistant dean for inclusive excellence. Program assessment will be directed by Malathi Raghavan, DVM, PhD, director of outcomes assessment and data management and clinical associate professor, and Loran Carleton Parker, PhD, associate director and senior evaluation and research associate at the Purdue Evaluation and Learning Research Center. Erin Lane, administrative assistant for PVM Research Programs/Interdisciplinary Biosciences Graduate Program, will serve as the Purdue PREP administrator. Other key individuals vital to the program’s success include 55 dedicated faculty research mentors, institutional and external advisory councils, scholar recruitment contacts at partner universities, and external consultants.
A core element of the Purdue PREP is the opportunity for PREP scholars to engage in a full year of independent laboratory research, in which they will be encouraged to develop and test their own hypotheses under the mentorship of a successful faculty research mentor. Purdue faculty who will serve as research mentors have been recruited from the College of Veterinary Medicine, as well as across campus. The breadth of faculty research includes cancer biology, neuroscience, infectious disease and inflammation, metabolic disease, and others with the common theme that all mentors utilize animal models, either directly or collaboratively, as one of their scientific approaches for new discovery.
Dr. Mendrysa said that pre-clinical studies in animal models of human disease is a vital step in the translation of basic biomedical discoveries to human clinical applications such as diagnostic tools, cancer therapies, and preventative strategies. These animal models include laboratory species commonly used in biomedical research as well as animal patients receiving care through the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital for naturally occurring diseases. These client-owned companion animals, primarily dogs and cats, are brought to the hospital for specialized care and treatment, and can be enrolled by their owners in clinical trials of naturally occurring illnesses. Because of the value of these clinical trials, these cases increasingly are being appreciated for their value as comparative animal models of spontaneous human disease. With its home base in the College of Veterinary Medicine, the program is uniquely positioned to foster PREP scholars’ research interests in the translation of basic biomedical discoveries from the lab bench to human patients.
Dr. Mendrysa also said that PREP scholars will have the opportunity to take upper-level undergraduate courses or a graduate level course in the fall and spring semesters. “While we want the emphasis to be on research, many of these students may not have had an opportunity to take upper-level courses and we want them to be able to challenge themselves in a more rigorous course. This will be a component of grad school — as students are now expected to do research, as well as take several upper-level courses simultaneously,” said Dr. Mendrysa. “
In addition to PREP scholar research and professional development activities, the NIGMS grant will also support the development of cultural competency training focused on issues of diversity and inclusion as they relate to the academic research environment. PREP scholars, faculty research mentors, and key laboratory personnel will participate in such training with the goal to improve cross-cultural communication and enhance the experience of students from underrepresented backgrounds.
The NIH-funded Purdue PREP was developed based on a pilot program funded in 2016 by a Diversity Transformation Award from the Purdue University Office of the Provost, which was created to enhance recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented backgrounds, and to study factors affecting inclusiveness and success of underrepresented students and faculty. Through the expanded funding from NIH, Dr. Mendrysa hopes to see the program create a steady supply of exceptional PhD students in the field, achieve a critical mass of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in graduate/postdoctoral positions, enhance retention through culturally-relevant mentorship, and transform Purdue’s climate for diversity to one that is better aligned with Purdue’s cultural values.
A cornerstone of the Protect Purdue Plan that guided Purdue University’s successful return to in-person instruction involves rapid and extensive COVID-19 testing and tracing. Playing a pivotal role in the testing program is the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL), a service of the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.
“The ADDL has performed testing for on-campus diagnostic cases and student surveillance since August,” said Dr. Kenitra Hendrix, ADDL director and clinical associate professor of veterinary diagnostic microbiology. As of November, the ADDL also began handling testing for essential personnel.
“The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory is playing a crucial role as part of the Protect Purdue Plan,” said Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed. “The laboratory has a wide range of capability in providing diagnostics in the animal world, but now we are addressing the needs on the human side.”
The process of preparing the ADDL to test human COVID-19 samples began in the spring after Purdue leaders suggested using the ADDL to help address the state’s limited testing capacity and need for resources. The ADDL team then gained the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certification required for laboratories performing diagnostic testing of human samples. This was readily accomplished largely due to the ADDL’s established quality system. Dr. Hendrix said human samples are being tested using a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) method that the ADDL uses regularly for animal specimens.
Angie Chan, supervisor of the Molecular Diagnostic Section, which performs the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, reviews data from COVID-19 samples. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood)
As the University implemented the Protect Purdue Plan, the laboratory, working with the Protect Purdue Health Center (PPHC), began testing samples collected from students, faculty, and staff at the beginning of the fall semester. “The ADDL’s testing capacity is core to the campus strategy for diagnostic and surveillance testing,” Dr. Hendrix said. “The PPHC and the ADDL have worked closely together to align sampling and testing schedules for maximum efficiency and the shortest time to results.”
As of late November, the ADDL had performed more than 85,000 SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) PCR tests on samples from Purdue faculty, staff, and students. “At this time the ADDL’s capacity for testing human COVID-19 samples is utilized solely by Purdue,” Dr. Hendrix explained.
Dean Reed emphasized that the ADDL team is well versed with the technology it is using for the testing. “The ADDL’s PCR test is really playing an important role in providing for the testing needs for the campus,” Dean Reed said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the faculty and staff of this important laboratory here on our campus.”
The effort to begin testing of human COVID-19 samples at the ADDL was shepherded by David Broecker, chief innovation and collaboration officer for the Purdue Research Foundation, and involves several partners including the foundation, the Indiana State Department of Health, Fort Wayne-based Parkview Health, and the Purdue community.
With the CLIA certification, the ADDL was able to begin using the PCR testing capability on human diagnostic specimens in April. “Our plan to help in this way does not diminish our capacity for animal testing,” Dr. Hendrix said. “Our primary mission is diagnostic support of animal health and the safety of the food supply, and that will remain our first priority.”
The ADDL is a Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) facility accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). BSL-2 laboratories are used to study moderate-risk infectious agents or toxins.
Veterinary Medicine Adapts to Safely Deliver Vital In-person Instruction
Dr. Stephanie Inoue, Purdue Veterinary Medicine lecturer, instructs second-year DVM students in a small animal bandaging lab.
Protect Purdue
As with so many aspects of the year 2020, “Back to School” took on a whole new meaning for Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine students, faculty, and staff as a new semester began in August. DVM and Veterinary Nursing students were among the more than 41,000 students who came back to the Purdue campus for in-person instruction —discontinued since March when the raging COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a sudden switch to online instruction and students were sent home.
Greeted by large banners on buildings displaying the words “Protecting the Next Giant Leap,” students, as well as faculty and staff, stepped back into classes on August 24, after fourth-year DVM students had come back for clinical rotations on July 20. Their return to campus followed a summer of careful planning that led to implementation of the Protect Purdue Plan, which was developed as a result of the initial work of the Safe Campus Task Force co-chaired by Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed and the dean of the Krannert School of Management David Hummels.
The plan included a pledge taken by all students, staff, and faculty — summarized by the words “Protect Myself. Protect Others. Protect Purdue.” Utilizing the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Indiana State Department of Health and other scientific organizations, the University implemented the Protect Purdue Plan as a comprehensive strategy to keep the campus and community safe by limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Practical Solutions
For the College of Veterinary Medicine, following the Protect Purdue Plan meant de-densifying teaching spaces to limit seating capacity by 50 percent and re-working the “traditional” course schedule to use the college’s largest lecture hall for DVM courses and smaller lecture rooms for Veterinary Nursing courses. “That enabled us to teach each of the student class cohorts in their entirety in the respective rooms,” explained Dr. Jim Weisman, assistant dean for student affairs and clinical associate professor.
Changes in the lecture halls were readily visible to anyone familiar with pre-COVID life in Lynn Hall. Most notably – everyone, from teachers to students, wore masks and students were spaced apart with seats alternately marked as available or not available due to social distancing requirements. Additionally, students were instructed to clean their desk space upon entry and departure from each classroom. “We also established seating charts for the lecture halls and asked students to sit in their self-selected seats for the duration of the semester,” Dr. Weisman explained. Moreover, no eating or drinking was allowed during any class session and, in addition to wearing masks during all lecture-based courses, students and instructors also wore face shields for labs where they worked more closely together.
With these measures in place, students once again were able to learn in-person instead of just virtually. “We returned all of our DVM and Veterinary Nursing courses to face-to-face instruction,” Dr. Weisman said. “The key difference for the DVM curriculum is that we arranged for part of the traditionally scheduled lecture time to be face-to-face, with the remaining contact time offered either via lectures that were pre-recorded and available on Brightspace, the University’s learning management system, or by utilizing videoconferencing platforms, such as Zoom, to provide remote, live interactive class sessions,” Dr. Weisman said. Additionally, all labs were scheduled face-to-face.
Dr. John Turek, professor of basic medical sciences, teaches first-year veterinary students as they are masked and socially distanced in a large lecture room in Lynn Hall.
Second-year Veterinary Nursing students gain hands-on experience analyzing samples during a clinical lab.
Any students who could not attend in-person classes were able to watch them on Brightspace, since all courses were lecture-captured, a practice the college had put in place previously. “We have traditionally recorded lectures and students have used this in the past to go back and re-watch lectures,” Dr. Weisman explained.
We Keep Going
The college’s success in adapting to in-person instruction during the pandemic mattered for multiple reasons. “For most of our DVM students, they want this face-to-face instruction and contact with their instructors,” explained Dr. Weisman. “For our lab-based instruction, hands-on learning is required to develop the competencies of these skills, thus face-to-face is the best option for this.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Dr. Chad Brown, director of the Veterinary Nursing Program. “Hands-on laboratory instruction is required as part of accreditation,” Dr. Brown said. “The biggest thing I’ve been impressed with is the way Purdue has handled this whole situation, and kept our college open. That’s a big deal. I am incredibly appreciative of the initiative and effort to follow the protocols to keep us face-to-face. It’s commendable and admirable how everyone is doing.”
Students concurred. “We have been very fortunate to still attend in-person classes,” said Debby Key, a fourth-year student in the Veterinary Nursing bachelor’s degree program. “Aside from the masks and socially distanced seating, the actual class atmosphere has not felt much different from a ‘normal’ semester. For the size of our program, the precautions taken seemed to work well and were smoothly implemented.”
Fellow classmate, Bayli Grubb, agreed. “I think even though we had to sit six-feet apart and wear masks, it was still beneficial to be in the classroom learning,” Bayli said. “It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to come back and finish the Veterinary Nursing Program in person. It would be very difficult to achieve this solely online.”
Dr. Brown added that there were minimal problems with re-introducing face-to-face instruction. The main issue involved setting expectations and ensuring follow-through. As for teaching, the only real difference was wearing a mask and face shield when instructing. “Not surprisingly, some of the challenges relayed to me by our instructors was that they had to speak really loudly and experienced some initial awkwardness delivering hands-on instruction while wearing more PPE than they were used to,” Dr. Brown said. “But all of them were able to quickly adjust and make sure that our nursing students still received a top-notch educational experience.”
Emily Hess, a DVM student in the Class of 2022 and president of the Purdue Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, said she feels very fortunate to have been able to return to in-person instruction for the fall semester. “It has been instrumental to be able to participate in our Veterinary Skills and Competencies and Junior Surgery courses, as well as to interact with our professors face-to-face,” Emily said. “It also has been exciting to be able to host a few, socially distanced, student organization events. For example, the Equine Club was able to host in-person rounds in the Large Animal Hospital.”
Emily’s classmate Cameron Seger said he appreciated the concern for the health of students, faculty, and staff. “Transitioning to the schedule we had this semester, I felt that my health and the health of other students was kept as priority,” Cameron said. “I also felt that I was given good opportunities to carry out in-person skills. As everyone knows, this is a profession of skills and communication. Sacrificing these opportunities would be detrimental to our ability to develop into capable practitioners. Knowing this, and being able to keep a hold on these experiences through a troubling time is quite valuable.”
First-year veterinary student Joe Chandler described himself as someone who learns best from face-to-face instruction. “Hands on training is so crucial in our career development and being able to have that from the beginning was awesome,” Joe said. He also noted all the care that was taken to disinfect. “One thing that really stood out to me was the extra cleaning that was done by the staff – door handles being wiped down, cleaning supplies always stocked, and high touch surfaces always being cleaned. This really stood out to me in the College of Veterinary Medicine.”
Fellow classmate Jessica Sexton noted, “It took a few labs to figure out how to prevent face shields from fogging up!” But, she said it was well worth it because the in-person classes enabled her to experience something that impressed her when she first visited Lynn Hall back at the beginning of 2020 as part of the admissions process. “On interview day, I got to experience how connected the other classes were, which really gave the school a sense of community. This was a major factor in my decision to attend Purdue, as I really wanted to build that connection with my classmates,” Jessica said. “This was important to me not only to build lasting friendships, but to have many professional relationships with my future colleagues. After my first semester of vet school I can honestly say that I have created an awesome network of friends and colleagues that I know will be a support system throughout vet school and our future careers! And this is all because of being able to return in person.”
Students also commended Purdue for its contact-tracing program and free COVID-19 testing for students, staff, and faculty. Jessica said the combination of contact tracing and surveillance testing made her feel safer in classes and in labs. Veterinary Nursing student Debby Key added that the ease and availability of the COVID-19 testing “…was vital to identifying positive cases and allowing us to maintain in-person instruction for as long as we did.”
One downside, noted by Joe Chandler, was the revised academic calendar that kept the students on campus straight-through to Thanksgiving, without the traditional Labor Day holiday and Fall Break – a condensed schedule that Joe realized was mentally very exhausting and taxing. After November 24, face-to-face instruction ended, except for fourth-year clinical education, and students left for home. The remaining classes in December were delivered virtually, as were final exams.
Students in the Veterinary Nursing Class of 2023 learn clinical skills with feline pet professors ― cats whose owners volunteer to bring them to the college to help educate the students about primary care techniques.
Our Persistent Pursuit
Looking ahead to spring, with the start of the spring semester scheduled in mid-January, Dr. Weisman said the college plans a similar approach to that used in the fall for in-person course lecture time and face-to-face lab instruction. He also noted that the spring semester will be the final semester for the rollout of the revised DVM curriculum, with semester six being offered for the first time.
Speaking from the students’ perspective, third-year veterinary student Emily Hess encouraged everyone to continue their hard work and perseverance through these difficult times. “I believe that we can continue to look for ways to work as a team, in order to make the best of our current situation,” Emily said. “I think that the ability to be flexible and resilient goes a long way. Lastly, I would like to thank each of our professors and instructors, no matter what year of the DVM or Veterinary Nursing Program they teach, for their continued hard work and dedication this semester.”
Reflecting on the unprecedented changes that occurred in the fall, Dr. Weisman remarked, “Our success in our delivery of the curricula was based on everyone’s attention and willingness to adapt to Protect Purdue guidelines. It was and continues to be a Herculean effort by everyone and, as a result, our programs have continued to offer the great instruction and experiential learning our students have known to be our standard.”
Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor and the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, serves on the Steering Committee for the ICDC, as one of the external researchers from institutions of higher education invited to participate. (Purdue University photo/John Underwood)
The National Cancer Institute announced in August the development of a cloud-based Canine Cancer Database that has significant ties to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine. Developed by the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, the Integrated Canine Data Commons (ICDC) is a repository of spontaneously arising canine cancer data created with the goal of advancing human cancer research by enabling comparative analysis of canine cancer. Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor and the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, serves on the Steering Committee for the ICDC, as one of the external researchers from institutions of higher education invited to participate.
Dr. Deepika Dhawan, oncology research scientist in the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program, is part of the Purdue team who has contributed two of the initial data sets in the ICDC.
“Many different types of information on dog tumors, including genomics, pathology, clinical features, and case outcomes can be deposited into the ICDC,” Dr. Knapp explains. “Scientists from all over the world can study the information from dogs and compare it with human cancer patient data from the Cancer Research Data Commons. This is expected to lead to a much better understanding of the similarities and differences between canine and human cancer and better outcomes for cancer patients in both species.” Dr. Knapp adds, “It is an honor to participate with top scientists at the National Cancer Institute who are leading this effort.”
In addition to Dr. Knapp, other scientists from Purdue have been involved, specifically in contributing two of the initial data sets in the ICDC. Dr. Deepika Dhawan, oncology research scientist in the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program, and Dr. Sagar Utturkar, senior bioinformatics scientist in the Bindley Bioscience Center, have been heavily involved in compiling, analyzing, and formatting the Purdue data the team has contributed to the ICDC. Dr. Timothy Ratliff, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Pathobiology and the Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, was instrumental in connecting the Purdue team to the program.
Dr. Timothy L. Ratliff, the Robert Wallace Miller Director of the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research, was instrumental in connecting the Purdue team to the National Cancer Institute program. (Purdue University photo)
The ICDC and its website were publicly launched August 26 in conjunction with National Dog Day. Click here to learn more.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training. The NCI coordinates the United States National Cancer Program and is part of the National Institutes of Health, which is one of eleven agencies that are part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The ICDC is part of the Cancer Research Data Commons (CRDC), an initiative from NCI’s Center for Biomedical Informatics and Information Technology (CBIIT). Learn more at cancer.gov.
Dr. Tiffany Lyle, assistant professor of veterinary anatomic pathology and director of the Histology Research Laboratory, works with Victor Bernal-Crespo, HTL(ASCP)QIHC, research laboratory manager, following Protect Purdue guidelines regarding PPE gear.
As Boilermakers, Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s team of faculty, staff, and students realizes that persistent planning is key to taking the small steps that enable the College of Veterinary Medicine to persistently pursue the next giant leap. That is why the college has a culture of strategic planning. Since 2010, two five-year strategic plans have been developed and implemented. When the most recent of those plans neared its end in 2020, teams of faculty and staff reviewed the document, taking note of the college’s achievements, and developed a “refreshed” strategic plan with revised and updated action items for the time period of 2021-2023.
As the strategic planning teams reviewed achievements, they developed an impressive list. The plan was organized around the strategic themes of learning, discovery, and engagement and focused on five areas: programmatic excellence; collegiality and collaboration; farm animal focus; investing in people; and investing in infrastructure.
Akila Bryant, of the DVM Class of 2023, practices surgical skills in the Clinical Skills Laboratory guided by Dr. Kelly McGrady.
Learning
In the realm of education, the faculty approved the new DVM curriculum for years one through three. Curriculum implementation began in fall 2018 with the Class of 2022. The new curriculum expanded instruction in non-technical professional skills, such as communications, financial management, and personal wellness, and increased hands-on learning with “Veterinary Skills and Competencies” courses as well as other laboratories in the third year. The new curriculum also involved implementing practical assessments to promote student accountability. Additionally, the focus on farm animals was enhanced with new courses including, “Introduction to Production Medicine and Veterinary Ethics,” “Fundamental Principles of Comparative Nutrition,” and an expanded “Food (Farm) Animal Medicine” course in the third-year core curriculum.
Veterinary Nursing became the new name for what previously was called the Veterinary Technology Program. For the on-campus Veterinary Nursing Program, a learning community for Veterinary Nursing students was created to help with student retention and to introduce students to Veterinary Nursing in their first year on campus. Additionally several on-campus courses began utilizing the college’s new Clinical Skills Laboratory to help students learn hands-on skills.
For the Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning Program, a new curriculum was implemented in fall 2017, with all courses offered all three semesters (spring, summer, and fall) using an accelerated plan of study that makes it possible to complete the program in three years (nine semesters). In addition, expanded workshops on campus made it possible for distance learning students to demonstrate and document acquisition of essential skills on domestic animals that they might normally have limited access to, such as horses and cattle.
Discovery
Under the theme of discovery, accomplishments included increasing research funding six percent overall from 2015 to 2019, with an increase of 30 percent in federal funding. Interdisciplinary teams were created involving basic and clinical faculty to address critical areas of biomedical research including cancer immunotherapy and orthopedics. The college also improved the function and staffing of the Center for Comparative Translational Research. Additionally, a shared laboratory for clinical research faculty was created, laboratories were modernized, and investments were made in new equipment.
Engagement
For the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, accomplishments included making significant additions to equipment and expertise to enhance service and operations, including expansion and growth of the Physical Rehabilitation and Ophthalmology Services, expanding Orthopedic Services, and providing hemodialysis and therapeutic plasma exchange. The hospital experienced year-on-year growth with a strong caseload as construction began on the Small Animal Hospital expansion, and new Equine Hospital and Farm Animal Hospital facilities.
The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory retained full accreditation in 2019 after a customary audit by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. Investments were made in equipment for Serology, Molecular Diagnostics, and Bacteriology. Additionally, Serology and Molecular Diagnostics benefitted from relocated, redesigned, and renovated Serology Laboratory space.
As part of the college’s focus on farm animal, several faculty with expertise in farm animal sectors were recruited and a nucleus of expertise in bovine theriogenology and dairy medicine was developed. In addition, collaborations with the Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Agriculture were strengthened.
Another key goal of the strategic plan involved fostering a diverse and inclusive climate with a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere that attracts and retains the best students, faculty, and staff. Toward that end, the college’s Diversity Action Committee and subcommittees carried out the PVM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, focusing on recruitment and retention of diverse students, staff, and faculty. The college also established Faculty and Staff Awards for Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion and made the first award presentations in 2019. Moreover, with support from the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and the American Veterinary Medical Association, nearly 1,500 students, faculty, staff, and veterinary professionals from 31 U.S. colleges and schools of veterinary medicine, as well as private practice and industry, enrolled in the certificate programs for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine that are presented by Purdue University through the Center of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion in Veterinary Medicine.
The college’s global engagement also grew significantly, with the number of PVM students who studied abroad annually increasing from 22 to 83 during the strategic plan time-frame. Additionally, the percentage of the graduating DVM class with global engagement experience increased from 26 percent to 62 percent, and the number of active university exchange partnerships nearly doubled from 11 to 21. The number of international visitors to the college increased from 33 to 74 and the number of countries represented grew from 17 to 24. The college also launched a Global Veterinary Medicine Certificate Program with 350 DVM students participating.
Another key aspect of the college’s accomplishments involved promoting the veterinary profession. The popular Boiler Vet Camps were expanded to 50 campers each and an Indiana State Fair Camp was launched. Also, This is How We “Role” ― a program aimed at diversifying the veterinarian-scientist workforce ― provided PVM and 19 other colleges of veterinary medicine and their community partners with resources to launch local chapters including role model certification, funding, and a 50-plus lesson curriculum. Additionally, the college launched Vet Up! The National HCOP Academy for Veterinary Medicine with funding through a $3.18 million HRSA grant. The academy provides academic, financial, and social support through three programs including a yearlong program for rising high-school juniors/seniors, adult learners and undergraduate students; a six-week-long residential summer program for undergraduate students; and the DVM Scholars program that supports PVM veterinary medical students from matriculation to graduation.
The college launched Vet Up! The National HCOP Academy for Veterinary Medicine with funding through a $3.18 million HRSA grant to provide academic, financial, and social support through three programs.
These are just some of the accomplishments traced back to the college’s 2015-2020 strategic plan. With the refreshed plan for 2021-2023, the college will continue focusing on the same strategic themes as it seeks to globally advance animal health and welfare and human health through excellence in learning, discovery, and engagement.
The college’s vision is that:
Our graduates will excel in their choice of veterinary/biomedical careers.
We will advance global animal and human health and well-being through transformational and interdisciplinary research.
We will be a recognized authority for animal and public health through collaborations in medical care, diagnostics, education, and discovery.
With the intent of “Moving Forward Inclusively,” the refreshed strategic plan lays out goals for each of the three themes of learning, discovery and engagement, with a continued emphasis on the focus areas of:
Programmatic Excellence – educating career-ready veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and scientists who are prepared to enter diverse types of positions in private practice, industry, government, and academia
Collegiality and Collaboration – faculty collaborating with scholars in other colleges on the Purdue University campus and at the Indiana University School of Medicine, as well as with scientists at universities, research institutions, and companies across the U.S. and abroad
Farm Animals – recognizing the importance of agriculture to Indiana and the world, the college provides healthcare to farm animals, leads teams of scientists to solve problems affecting human and animal health, such as antimicrobial resistance, and educates the veterinary professionals who will protect the safety and security of our food supply
Investing in People – providing opportunities for the members of the PVM family to enhance their technical and non-technical skills, which are essential for excellence in service and scholarship
Investing in Infrastructure – working with the University to create a master plan for an expanded veterinary medical complex, as construction of a new veterinary hospital is underway, providing additional space for the Small Animal Hospital as well as new Equine and Farm Animal Hospitals; and continuing to persistently plan for the future, investing in equipment and facilities needed for state-of-the art clinical and diagnostic services, leading-edge research, and modern learning environments for our students
Commensurate with the refreshed strategic plan, the college’s Diversity Action Committee unveiled a new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan in 2020 that charts the course for strengthening the college’s diversity efforts with an emphasis on intentionality.
The plan establishes four strategic goals, delineates key initiatives for each goal, and describes anticipated outcomes to be achieved. The goals are:
Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the academic principles of teaching, research, and engagement;
Recruit and advance a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students;
Elevate the PVM brand by expanding audience reach through more diverse channels; and
Cultivate a culture of excellence that supports a diverse and inclusive environment.
When effectively implemented, the initiatives set for each goal area will achieve the following anticipated outcomes:
Increased cultural competence and commitment modeled by all members of the PVM community;
Increased access and opportunity for growth;
Increased visibility of the PVM brand among diverse populations; and
Improved supportive learning and work environment, which gives a stronger sense of belonging.
