The 2026 edition of the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference attracted attendees from around the U.S. for three days of educational sessions covering an array of topics. With the overall theme of “One Health: Modern Veterinary Medicine,” the conference September 23-26 on the Purdue University campus drew more than 450 veterinarians and veterinary technicians, plus faculty, staff and students. Sessions taught by a total of 65 speakers, including many Purdue Veterinary Medicine clinicians and veterinary technicians/technologists, enabled conference-goers to earn up to 23 continuing education credit hours.
The conference schedule included an engaging combination of presentations, networking opportunities and special events along with an exhibit hall that included 34 booths showcasing the latest products and technology as well as career opportunities. Attendees came from more than 30 states, traveling from across Indiana and neighboring states as well as states as far away as Alabama, California, Connecticut, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington State.
The conference sessions were categorized into more than a dozen tracks, ranging from Diagnostic Medicine and Emergency Preparedness to Equine Medicine, Small Animal, Shelter Medicine, Farm Animal – Ruminant, and Veterinary Technology sessions on General Practice, Large Animal, and Veterinary Technician Specialty Practice. Two keynote lectures addressed the topics of the Human Animal Bond and Wellness. The Wellness Keynote was given by Mary Beth Spitznagel, professor and associate chair in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University. She addressed the topic of “Decreasing Burden Transfer in Veterinary Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach,” and also spoke on that issue the day before when she gave the Dr. Jeffrey A. Sutarik Memorial Wellness Lecture to veterinary students in Lynn Hall.
The Elanco Human Animal Bond Lecture featured a talk by Dr. Zenithson Ng, clinical professor at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. In his presentation, “Harnessing Human-Animal Bond Research to Transform Veterinary Practice,” Dr. Ng shared about recent research studies on the human animal bond that are influencing how veterinarians and veterinary teams understand and strengthen the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
Another annual conference highlight is the Jack and Naomi Stockton / Class of 1971 Lecture, which this year featured the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Bret Marsh, DVM, who gave a presentation entitled, “Endless Opportunities: Building Our Future Together.”
The second day of the conference began with the Roger L. Lukens Lecture, named in memory of the founding director of the Veterinary Technology Program. Fittingly, this year’s speaker was Purdue veterinary technology alumna Mindy Anderson, RVT, PharmD, the college’s assistant dean for veterinary technology. Entitled, “The Power of an Unexpected Path: Rejected, Redirected and Rewarded,” her heartfelt presentation recounted her own journey through life’s twists and turns that led her to become the first veterinary technician to lead the Purdue Veterinary Technology Program.
Attendees also were able to visit the many booths in the Exhibit Hall in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom, where they could see the latest veterinary products, visit with industry representatives and catch-up with classmates and colleagues. An end-of-the-day Exhibit Hall reception on the first day, Wednesday, September 23, provided the conference-goers with some extra time to check out the displays and socialize.
The conference also serves as the college’s Homecoming for alumni. Special events and activities included class reunions and special recognition of reunion milestones. In particular, it was an extra special year for the Veterinary Technology Program, which celebrated its 50th anniversary.
At a special luncheon on Wednesday, the Veterinary Technology Program’s 50th Anniversary was commemorated with an insightful recounting of the programs’ history by Dr. Pete Bill, professor emeritus of basic medical sciences and former director of the Veterinary Technology Program. Then members of the 50th Reunion Class – the Veterinary Technician Class of 1976 – were honored, and one of the classmates shared memories of their unique role as the first class of Purdue veterinary technology graduates. The celebration concluded with a presentation by Purdue veterinary technology graduate Mindy Anderson, PharmD, BS, RVT, who now leads the Purdue Veterinary Technology Program as assistant dean. She shared about the Veterinary Technology Program’s latest successes and plans for the future.
That evening, the college hosted the Alumni and Friends Celebration, with recognition of all of the DVM reunion classes, from the tenth year reunion class, to the Silver Anniversary Class, the Class of 2001; the Golden Anniversary Class, the Class of 1976; the 55 year Anniversary Class, the Class of 1971; and the 60 year Reunion class, the Class of 1966. Special recognition was given to the members of the 50th Reunion Class, who were called up on stage where they received a commemorative medallion from the Purdue Veterinary Alumni Association. The Vet Tech 50th reunion class was also called to the stage to be honored. In addition, as the various reunion classes were recognized, attendees were treated to singing by “Roots,” a Purdue Men’s Varsity Glee Club ensemble, who performed memorable hit songs from the decades represented by the various reunion classes.
The conference week concluded with a fun annual tradition for joggers, walkers and canines Saturday morning, September 26. A total of 195 people participated, many with dogs at their side or sometimes charging ahead with their human companions in tow! The runners and canines followed a 5K route that started and ended at Lynn Hall and wound past landmarks on the south side of the Purdue campus. Named in honor of Dr. Horace (Skip) Jackson, PVM professor emeritus of veterinary physiology and biochemistry, the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog is one of the longest-running traditions of the Purdue Veterinary Conference. The event raised funds for the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program that provides high quality medical and surgical care for shelter animals throughout Indiana while educating the next generation of veterinarians. Look for Dog Jog results, including awards presented to the top human and canine participants, in the next issue of the Vet Gazette!
