Halloween PVM-Style: A Retrospective

November 8, 2024

Spider Smash Cookies (Peanut Butter Cookies with Reese's Cups and Chocolate Frosting) were made for the Halloween Dessert Baking Contest by Diagnostic Imaging Veterinary Technologist Sierra Armbruster, RVT. — Spider Smash Cookies (peanut butter cookies with Reese’s cups and chocolate frosting) were made for the Halloween Dessert Baking Contest by Diagnostic Imaging Veterinary Technologist Sierra Armbruster, RVT.

The College of Veterinary Medicine wrapped-up the month of October in style, with some of the more adventurous faculty and staff taking advantage of the chance to don festive costumes and bake-up scary treats! The college’s Halloween Happenings on October 31 included the ever popular Halloween Dessert Baking Contest hosted by the team in the Veterinary Hospital’s Diagnostic Imaging Service, and a surprise appearance by characters from the new Inside Out 2 movie, who looked suspiciously like members of the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs Team.

The Veterinary Nursing Programs Office was creatively decorated for the day with appropriate sights and sounds that provided a fitting backdrop for the costumed team members. Check out their picture and see if you can tell, before reading the caption, which Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs “stars” played which Inside Out characters. Hint – some personalities matched their chosen “emotion” better than others!

Characters who looked like they walked off the Inside Out 2 movie set gathered outside the Purdue Veterinary Nursing Programs Office in Lynn Hall (Front row, left-right): Anxiety (Jennifer Smith), Sadness (Holly Englert), Anger (Dr. Chad Brown), Joy (Beth Laffoon); (Back Row, left-right): “Apathy” (not actually an Inside Out character but it was the emotion “claimed” by Josh Clark), Nostalgia (Angella Arellano), Ennui (Chantalle Brown), Embarrassment (Holly McCalip), Disgust (Pam Phegley), and Envy (Taryn Adams).

Halloween decorations also marked the location of the Halloween Dessert Baking Contest where fearsome sweet treats were evaluated on the basis of design and taste. The competition showcased the impressive creativity and culinary skills of PVM students, staff and faculty. Participants entered baked goods in five categories: cakes, breads/muffins, pies, cookies, and “other” desserts.

Congratulations to Small Animal Internal Medicine Veterinary Technologist Bri Kerr, who’s entry called Franken Pops won the overall “Best Design” award, and Veterinary Technician Brittney McDonald, who took the top honor in the Best Taste category for her Caramel Apple Cookies. Winners in each category received a traveling trophy as well as a year of bragging rights. The complete list of winning entries is as follows:

Best Design Winners:

Overall Best Design: Franken Pops by Bri Kerr, SAIM
Muffins/Breads: Oreo Spider by Donna Tudor, DXI
Pies: Apple Crisp by Lydia Trott, DXI
Cookies: Canine Crispy Creation by Dr. Stephanie Thomovsky, Neurology
Other: Blood Bag by Bri Kerr, SAIM

Best Taste Winners:

Overall Best Taste: Caramel Apple Cookies by Brittney McDonald, DXI
Cakes: Franken Pops by Bri Kerr, SAIM
Muffins: Pumpkin Bread by Jessica DeSutter, SAIM
Pies: Apple Crisp by Lydia Trott, DXI
Other: Blood Bag by Bri Kerr, SAIM

Small Animal Internal Medicine Veterinary Technologist Bri Kerr, RVT, holds one of her Franken Pops that won the top prize in the Best Design category of the Halloween Dessert Baking Contest.

And then, even those just looking to buy some good food on Halloween had the opportunity to interact with a costumed character, since, who should show-up at the Continuum Café on Halloween morning but “Cheech” from “Cheech and Chong.” Or wait, was that really Cheech? When the person behind the counter with the distinctive mustache smiled, you couldn’t help but think that maybe it actually was Café staff member Rebecca Watkins.

“Cheech” – aka Rebecca Watkins – was ready to serve Continuum Café customers on Halloween.

In the end the winners on Halloween in Lynn Hall were all the people who had their day brightened by their colleagues, co-workers and friends who participated in all the Halloween Happenings in and around the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Writer(s): Nathan Dell, Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

Taco ’bout our amazing people!

With the conclusion of the summer season rapidly approaching, faculty and staff at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine were treated to a taco luncheon on Friday, August 14 in appreciation of their excellence and dedication throughout the year. Though the event couldn't take place in the Lynn Hall Courtyard as originally planned, the rainy weather that day did not dampen the celebration of the college's incredible faculty and staff.

Reception honors visiting Japanese DVM and veterinary technology students

Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s partnership with two veterinary schools in Japan was the basis for a celebratory reception at the end of last week, as the college honored visiting students from Kitasato University and Rakuno Gakuen University. The eight member delegation included four DVM students and a faculty member from Kitasato University and two veterinary nursing students and a faculty member from Rakuno Gakuen University. The reception on Friday morning, August 14, served as an informal farewell and included a brief recognition program when each of the Japanese visitors received a commemorative certificate.

ADDL and CPB Department welcome new pathology residents and intern

A trio of veterinary graduates started their pathology residencies at Purdue Veterinary Medicine this summer while a fourth veterinarian began a pathology internship in the Department of Comparative Pathobiology. This newest class of students pursuing post-DVM training in pathology includes Purdue veterinary alumni and graduates of universities abroad.

PVM Team Shares Collaborative Approach at National Advancement Conference

When alumni and donors choose to invest their time, talents, and resources in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, they typically are not focusing on departments or organizational charts—they're thinking about the college they love. That simple idea was the foundation of a presentation delivered by Julia Wickard, executive director of the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association and constituent liaison, and April Shepherd, PVM’s senior director of development, at the Association of Veterinary Advancement Professionals (AVAP) Annual Meeting, which was held July 8-10, just prior to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Annual Convention in Anaheim, California.

“Paws Up” for Lanora Lannan – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

This week we are happy to highlight Lanora Lannan, who is the client liaison for Small Animal Primary Care.

“Paws Up” for Dr. Michelle Tucker – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we are highlighting Dr. Michelle Tucker, who is an assistant professor of large animal surgery, for contributing to a rewarding learning environment here at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine and Purdue Football Share Bullish Outlook at Summer Event

Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, recently attended the Purdue Football Coaches Celebration at McGraw’s Purdue Chop House in West Lafayette, where he connected with new Purdue Head Football Coach Barry Odom. The event, hosted by McGraw’s owner Todd McGraw, also featured an opportunity to meet “Odom,” the Purdue Beef Angus Bull that serves as the latest symbol of Boilermaker pride.

Recognition Ceremony Honors VCS Residents, Graduate Students, and Purdue Veterinary Hospital Interns

More than 100 faculty and staff of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences (VCS) and the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital (PVH) gathered at Lafayette’s Thomas Duncan Hall on Thursday, June 26 for the 2025 Resident and Intern Recognition Ceremony. The historic venue was a wonderful place to host this annual event that honors and celebrates the accomplishments of the VCS and PVH residents, interns, and graduate students who are completing their programs this summer.