The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine is set to host the 2025 Purdue Veterinary Conference September 16–20, and registration is open! The annual event held on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus brings together veterinary professionals, educators, students, and industry partners for a week of continuing education complete with opportunities for practical learning, collaboration and networking.
Participants will be able to earn up to 24 continuing education (CE) credits by attending sessions covering a broad range of topics. Educational tracks will include small animal medicine, veterinary nursing, farm animal medicine (with individual tracks for ruminants and swine), equine and exotic animal medicine, diagnostic medicine, emergency preparedness, and shelter medicine. The variety of sessions will enable attendees to focus on topics most relevant to their work and interests.
“Opening Doors, Changing Lives: Shaping the Future of Veterinary Medicine” serves as the theme for this year’s conference, which will officially begin on Tuesday, September 16, at 5:00 p.m. with the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture. This year the lecture features Dr. Lori Kogan, a respected psychologist and professor of clinical sciences at Colorado State University, who also serves as chair of the Human-Animal Interaction Section of the American Psychological Association. The lecture will be followed by a reception, giving attendees the chance to connect with peers and colleagues.
Conference Schedule Highlights
This year’s conference line-up is designed to support learning, reflection, and professional growth.
The Wellness Keynote, entitled “How to Break Out of the Burnout Spiral,” will be held on Wednesday, September 17, at 12:45 p.m. Presented by Dr. Alicia Grandey, liberal arts professor in the industrial-organizational psychology program at Penn State, this session will explore how to recognize and manage burnout, offering practical strategies for maintaining well-being in demanding roles.
The Conference Keynote, “Standing Firm, Even When the World and Patients Are Not,” is scheduled for noon Thursday, September 18, and will be given by Dr. Karrah Herring, author, lawyer, public relations specialist and workplace culture expert whose 17-year career spans higher education, corporate and state government. The session will address the importance of inclusive practices in veterinary medicine and provide useful tools for navigating professional challenges with clarity and purpose.
Later that afternoon, Dr. Grandey will speak again, delivering the Jack and Naomi Stockton / Class of 1971 Lecture. Entitled, “Managing the Emotionally Charged Workplace,” her talk in Stewart Center’s Fowler Hall will include practical alternatives to managing stress and interpersonal dynamics in high-pressure environments.
Exhibit Hall and Networking Events
Another feature of the Purdue Veterinary Conference will be the Exhibit Hall where industry representatives will showcase new tools, products, and veterinary care services. The schedule will include two hours for exclusive access to the Exhibit Hall when attendees can explore offerings while earning up to two additional CE credits. An Exhibit Hall passport contest also will give participants opportunities to win prizes by visiting participating booths.
In addition, a Mixer reception in the Exhibit Hall will be hosted on Wednesday, September 17, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., and will be followed immediately by the Alumni, Students and Friends Celebration. These events will offer opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and strengthen professional relationships.
On Friday, September 19, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the newly opened Dr. Janet Houghton Dental Suite in Lynn Hall during a reception scheduled from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The new suite supports hands-on training in veterinary dentistry and reflects Purdue’s commitment to advancing clinical care and education.
The conference will conclude with the annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog on Saturday, September 20—a long-standing Purdue tradition that provides a fun way to wrap up the week of continuing education.
Register Today!
The Purdue Veterinary Conference continues to offer meaningful learning opportunities and a supportive environment for veterinary professionals at every stage of their careers. For a full schedule and registration information, click here: Purdue Veterinary Conference – College of Veterinary Medicine.