Development Spotlight Shines on Veterinary Hospital and Dog Jog Endowment Campaigns

Philanthropy makes a difference in the College of Veterinary Medicine every day, as donors contribute in support of people and programs to improve animal and human health and well-being and support the education of future veterinary professionals.  The gifts given are a reflection on the good work of faculty, staff, and students who often are the vital link between the college and generous supporters, says Chief Development Officer Tanya Finkbiner.

So, to help shine a light on the impact of philanthropy on our college, the Purdue Veterinary Medicine development team is beginning a series of spotlight announcements that will appear in the Vet Gazette periodically.  “We want to help our people understand the impact they are having as they help foster and strengthen relationships with donors,” Tanya said.  “To start we want to spotlight two campaigns currently underway.”

Leave A Print Campaign

“Construction on the new veterinary hospital is moving ahead steadily, and so is progress toward our Leave A Print fundraising campaign goal,” Tanya said. The initiative to help fully fund the new hospital project has a goal of $8.1 million. Over $3.5 million has been received to-date! “Every donation helps us get closer to new, state-of-the-art facilities,” said Tanya. To learn more about how you can help, see floor plans, and read about some of the reasons others have already contributed, visit leaveaprint.vet.

Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog Endowment Campaign

The 2020 Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog, one of the longest-running traditions of the Purdue Veterinary Conference, was cancelled to best support the health and safety of participants and the community during the continued COVID-19 pandemic. Though this is disappointing for everyone, there’s still a way you can help to ensure that the event will continue in the years to come.

In the past, proceeds from the event have benefited important programs like PetSafe and Priority 4 Paws to serve the animals in need in our community. Last year, proceeds totaling more than $10,100 went to PetSafe. 

This year, you can honor the legacy of Professor Emeritus Skip Jackson and help this event live on in perpetuity by donating your typical registration fee of $25 (individual registration) or $30 (individual + pet registration) or more, and help us reach our goal of $25,000 by August 2023.*  Those funds will make it possible to establish an endowment that will cover the expenses associated with hosting the event every year. A total of $10,900 has been raised to date, and your help is needed to get to the finish line.

Click here to GIVE NOW to support the Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog and Fun Run Endowment. Your contribution is vital to the success of this event in the future, and donations of any amount make a difference.  If you have any questions about this initiative, please do not hesitate to contact the PVM Advancement Office at 765-494-6304 or email PVMgiving@prf.org.

dog jog participants walk along the path with their dog as other participants follow in the background

*If the $25,000 goal is not met by 2023, the fund will not be endowed to continue in perpetuity. All funds received will be used to support expenses associated with future Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog events until depleted.

Writer(s): Tanya Finkbiner and Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

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

The Wellness Committee would like to extend a heartfelt Paws Up to Laurie Marsh, who is a supervisor for the Emergency Critical Care & Small Animal Reception team.

Purdue VBMA Club Hosts Picture-perfect Activity

When veterinary students in the Purdue Chapter of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) were looking for a new event to host as a student organization, an intriguing idea came to mind that was easy to “picture” as a perfect success!  So the club set out to plan the activity in order to meet an important need of the club members while also providing a fun chance for the students to get keepsake images of their furry study buddies.

PVM Faculty Legends Honored at 25th Annual Healing Oasis Wellness Center Conference 

The theme “Knowledge – Like a Precious Metal, is PRICELESS,” proved especially appropriate for the 25th anniversary of the annual Healing Oasis Wellness Center Conference spearheaded by a Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus, Dr. Pedro Rivera.  That’s because the conference, held at the end of 2025 at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois, gave special recognition to legendary Purdue Veterinary Medicine educators Kathy Salisbury and Ron Hullinger.

How the Brain Recognizes What It’s Seen Before and Why It Matters for Autism Research

When you walk into a familiar place — your kitchen, a classroom, or your neighborhood — your brain instantly starts matching what you see with memories of past experiences. A new study from Purdue University reveals a key piece of how that recognition process works, and why it may be disrupted in conditions such as Fragile X syndrome, a leading inherited cause of autism.

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

Today we are recognizing Chloe Morris, RVT, who is a veterinary technologist in Anesthesiology in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Partnership to make Purdue Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program available to employees at more than 1,000 general practice veterinary hospitals

Already Purdue’s largest online program, the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program is partnering with National Veterinary Associates General Practice to offer the VNDL program to technicians at NVA’s more than 1,000 general practice veterinary hospitals.

PVM Distinguished Professor Suresh Mittal to Speak at Purdue’s Westwood Lecture Series

The Westwood Lecture Series is part of Purdue President Mung Chiang’s efforts aimed at enhancing the intellectual vibrancy of the Purdue West Lafayette campus, and the next featured speaker is Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Professor of Virology, Dr. Suresh Mittal. His presentation entitled, “Universal Influenza Vaccine — An Aspiration or Reality?” is scheduled for January 28, and registration for the lecture is now open.

PVM Concludes 2024 with Recognition of Service Anniversaries and Award-winning Staff

As 2024 came to a close at Purdue University, the College of Veterinary Medicine continued a long-standing tradition of celebrating staff service anniversaries and recognizing staff and faculty accomplishments at the Staff Service Recognition Ceremony. Held in Lynn 1136 on Wednesday, December 18, the ceremony honored more than 70 PVM personnel.