Purdue Homecoming Spotlight Shines on Small Animal Primary Care

October 8, 2021

Bethany kneels down to pet Finn as she looks toward the camera smiling — Bethany Shepard, the daughter of PVM Director of Lifelong Learning Ben Shepard, hangs out with Finn, a former canine educator, at the PVM tent on Boilermaker Boulevard during Purdue’s Homecoming pre-game event.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine was on display for Purdue alumni, football fans, and community residents as part of the “Boilermaker Boulevard” during the family-friendly celebration on the Purdue Mall Saturday morning, October 2. The festive pre-game event gave visitors a chance to learn more about various colleges and programs at Purdue before the Boilermaker football team took the field for the homecoming game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in a rainy Ross-Ade Stadium.

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine tent was a hit with Purdue fans, thanks to the team of volunteer people and pets who staffed the display. Small Animal Primary Care Wellness Clinician Lori Corriveau (PU DVM ’99) and students Brianna Newton (DVM Class of 2025), Erin Paul (DVM Class of 2023), Leeza Kuo (DVM Class of 2023), and Kelsey Stoughton (Veterinary Nursing Class of 2023) answered visitors’ pet health questions, provided them with treats for cats and dogs, and shared information about the importance of flea and tick preventives. They were accompanied by Finn, a former canine educator, and Dr. Corriveau’s cats, Baby Kitty and Theodore. Tent activities included the “Wheel of Tick” trivia game, a “Tick Toss” game, and adorable photo-ops with Baby Kitty, Theodore and Finn!

A big thank you to Dr. Corriveau, the students, and the pets for staffing the tent and to Susan Xioufaridou, PVM director of alumni relations and special events, for organizing the college’s participation in Purdue’s Homecoming event.

A little girl wearing a Purdue cheerleading outfit in black and gold tosses a "tick" onto the spotted dog backdrop as a PVM volunteer stands by to assist — A young Purdue fan enjoys playing the “Tick-Toss” game at the PVM tent that was part of the Homecoming family-friendly celebration.

Writer(s): Susan Xioufaridou | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” for Craig Weiderhaft – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we want to give a big “high five” to Craig Weiderhaft who is a phone communications and front desk representative at the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Dogs across the Midwest find customized care at the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center

Studying canine cancer — including personalizing treatments, honing protocols and exploring new drugs, all of which will shed light on human cancer care — is the focus of veterinary researchers at a specialized center at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Faculty and staff contributions move Purdue Veterinary Medicine toward goal for Purdue United Way Campaign

With the 2026 Purdue United Way Campaign in full swing, Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty and staff participation is advancing the college toward its campaign support goal. At the halfway point of the campaign, figures show the college is nearly halfway to its goal of raising $20,000.

In Memory – Dr. Raymond E. Plue (PU DVM ’68)

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Raymond E. Plue, who was a generous, fun-loving, adventuresome and larger-than-life alumnus. Dr. Plue passed away Saturday, October 10, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri. He was 81.

Annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog grows in participation and dollars raised

The numbers are in from the 2026 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and they paint a beautiful picture of a very successful event, both in terms of the number of human and canine participants and the funds raised for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program. Beautiful weather and the enthusiasm of both dogs and runners contributed to the fun and excitement of the annual 5K run/walk, which generated numerous fun photo ops and raised significant funds for a good cause.