Skip to main content

It’s Almost Here!

A photograph of an outdoor sculpture featuring humans and animals

2026 Purdue Veterinary Conference offers full slate of practical presentations and engaging events for veterinarians and veterinary technicians

Though the annual Purdue Veterinary Conference is almost upon us, there’s still time to register and take advantage of this time-honored College of Veterinary Medicine fall tradition that combines excellent continuing education with fun opportunities for reconnecting with colleagues and classmates, networking, and learning about the latest veterinary trends and products.  The 2026 Purdue Veterinary Conference takes place September 23–26 on the Purdue University campus. The annual event has something for everyone, from veterinarians to veterinary technicians, faculty, staff and students.

This year’s conference carries the theme, “One Health: Modern Veterinary Medicine – Today and Tomorrow,” which is designed to highlight the connection between animal, human, and environmental health and the evolving role of veterinary medicine in advancing care and collaboration. Participants will be able to earn up to 23 continuing education (CE) credit hours by attending sessions across a variety of topic areas, enabling attendees to tailor their experience to their professional interests and goals.

Presentations will include topics on professional development, wellness, and the future of veterinary medicine. The Wellness Keynote on Wednesday, September 23, at 12:45 p.m., will be presented by Mary Beth Spitznagel, PhD, professor and associate chair in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Kent State University. She will address the topic of “Decreasing Burden Transfer in Veterinary Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach.”

On Thursday, September 24, at 8:00 a.m., the Roger L. Lukens Lecture, “The Power of an Unexpected Path: Rejected, Redirected and Rewarded,” will be presented by PVM’s own Mindy Anderson, PharmD, BS, RVT, assistant dean for veterinary technology programs and clinical associate professor of basic medical sciences. Later that day, at 12:00 p.m., Zenithson Ng, DVM, clinical associate professor of small animal primary care at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, will deliver the Human-Animal Bond Keynote. His talk is entitled, “Harnessing Human-Animal Bond Research to Transform Veterinary Practice.” 

Another conference highlight is this year’s Stockton Keynote Lecture which features Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s very own Dean Bret Marsh, DVM, who will speak on the topic, “Endless Opportunities: Building Our Future Together” that Thursday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. 

Another popular element of the conference is the Exhibit Hall, which will again feature industry representatives showcasing the latest veterinary tools, products and services. The conference schedule will include two unopposed exhibit hours on September 23 and 24, when attendees will be able to explore offerings while earning up to two additional CE credits. 

Additionally, a Mixer in the Exhibit Hall will take place on Wednesday, September 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and will be followed by the annual Alumni, Students and Friends Celebration at 5:00 p.m. The Exhibit Hall mixer will provide time to thank conference sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and moderators while enabling attendees to reconnect with colleagues, meet industry representatives, and strengthen professional relationships.

This year’s Purdue Veterinary Conference also will include a celebration of 50 years of the Purdue University Veterinary Technology Program. For more information contact vetalumni@purdue.edu.

The conference week will conclude with the annual Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog on Saturday, September 26, featuring the opportunity to run or walk with a canine companion and support PVM’s Priority 4 Paws shelter medicine program. 

Register today for this outstanding lifelong learning opportunity complete with lots of Boilermaker spirit and PVM tradition.  Additional conference details and registration information are available through the Purdue Veterinary Conference website.

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | 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.