McAfee Animal Hospital 75th Anniversary Marks Three Generations of Veterinary Care

July 27, 2018

McAfee Animal Hospital anniversary celebration pictured
Dr. Larry McAfee pictured

Dr. Larry McAfee (PU DVM ’73) recounted the history of the practice, which was started by his father, Dr. John McAfee.

Saturday, July 21, was a very special day for Dr. Larry McAfee (PU DVM ’73) and his daughter Brooke (PU DVM 2011), as they celebrated the 75th anniversary of the McAfee Animal Hospital with an Open House event on the facility grounds.  Brooke represents the third generation of McAfee veterinarians.

Located in Valparaiso, Ind., the McAfee Animal Hospital was started by Larry’s father, John. A graduate of Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. John McAfee passed the enterprise along to Larry, a member of the Purdue DVM Class of 1973, who recently has passed it along to Brooke, a 2011 Purdue DVM graduate. Purdue decorations were prominent, as today, every veterinarian that works for the McAfee Animal Hospital is a Purdue graduate.

Brooke McAfee pictured

Dr. Brooke McAfee (PU DVM 2011) represents the third generation of McAfee veterinarians to work at the practice founded by her grandfather.

Among the visiting dignitaries at the anniversary was Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Willie Reed, who welcomed the crowd at the celebration, and thanked Larry for his support of the College.  The hospital’s 75th anniversary celebration also featured remarks by Dr. Bret Marsh (PU DVM ’84), Indiana State Veterinarian, who thanked Larry and the clinic for their good service to the community and the state. Additionally, Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas expressed appreciation to Larry for his service to the community and for the way the hospital provides veterinary care that gives such comfort to the city’s residents.

The event also included participation by local businesses and food vendors that had tables featuring information, giveaways, and activities.  Exotic animals also were present as was the Valparaiso Police K-9 unit that gave demonstrations.  In addition, guests were able to take hospital tours that showcased the facility and the various procedures and treatments offered.  PVM was represented at the celebration as well with an informational table promoting the College and its programs.

Congratulations to the McAfee Animal Hospital for 75 great years!  Click here for more information and to view photos from the website Valpolife.com.

Writer(s): Tanya Finkbiner, Rachel Nellett, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

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

This week our gratitude goes to Andrea Kellogg, who is the director of Lifelong Learning.

Purdue Veterinary Students Get Up Close View of Veterinary Care at Professional Bull Riding Event

During a weekend dedicated to championship-level competition, students from the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine gained a first-hand perspective on a unique aspect of the livestock industry with a behind-the-scenes pass to the Professional Bull Riding event held recently in Indianapolis.  Ram Trucks PBR Indianapolis presented by Cooper Tires was held at Gainbridge Fieldhouse March 21-22, even as first- and second-round NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament games were held across the country the same weekend.

In Memory – Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology Gerald Bottoms

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is deeply saddened to learn that Dr. Gerald D. Bottoms, a longtime faculty member and Professor Emeritus of Veterinary Physiology, passed away on February 24, 2026.  He was 95.

PVM Scholars Recognized at Purdue One Health and Well-Being Research Event

Purdue University’s recent One Health and Well-Being Research Event: A Celebration of Interdisciplinary Health Research, put the spotlight on several scholars in the College of Veterinary Medicine.  The one-day event was organized by the College of Health and Human Sciences in partnership with several other colleges including Purdue Veterinary Medicine. It is estimated that more than 300 people attended the event at the Purdue Memorial Union North and South Ballrooms March 10.

In Memory – Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen (PU DVM ’71)

The College of Veterinary Medicine mourns the passing of an alumnus and longtime practitioner from Greenfield, Indiana. Dr. Jeffrey Hanssen died March 12, 2026, at Brandywine - Brickyard Healthcare Center in Greenfield. He was 71.

Beautiful Spring Lilies Pose Serious Danger to Cats

Spring weather heralds the arrival of the beautiful blooms of true lilies (Lilium sp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.). Unfortunately, many cats have been poisoned by these lovely plants. The poisoning is so severe and the possible consequences so dire (even death) that in 2021, the FDA issued this warning: “Lilies in the “true lily” and “daylily” families are very dangerous for cats. The entire lily plant is toxic: the stem, leaves, flowers, pollen, and even the water in a vase. Eating just a small amount of a leaf or flower petal, licking a few pollen grains off its fur while grooming, or drinking the water from the vase can cause your cat to develop fatal kidney failure in less than 3 days. The toxin, which only affects cats, has not been identified. Dogs that eat lilies may have minor stomach upset but they don’t develop kidney failure.”

Through study abroad opportunities, Purdue’s Veterinary Technology Distance Learning program is helping students think globally

Promoting animal health is a value that transcends cultures and unites the world. That’s why there are veterinary professionals practicing in nearly every country around the globe. But access to high-quality, affordable veterinary care is far from universal — in many nations, particularly developing nations, access to veterinarians is inconsistent, and affordability is a concern all over the world. To confidently address these issues, veterinary professionals must be able to think globally. That’s why Purdue Veterinary Medicine encourages students to study abroad, including those in the Veterinary Technology Distance Learning Program (VTDL). “Study abroad enriches our online curriculum by bringing classroom concepts to life in a global, real-world context,” said Addison Sheldon, the college’s director of global engagement. The VTDL program offers students the option to study abroad in Guatemala, Japan and Zimbabwe by partnering with local universities and organizations.

Public Invited to Learn about Veterinary Medicine at 2026 PVM Open House April 18

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine will welcome the public for its annual Spring Open House at Lynn Hall on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the event will feature a hands-on look at the world of veterinary medicine.

Annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium Remains Popular in 12th Year

The enduring popularity of the annual Purdue Veterinary Technician Symposium was evident again this spring as more than 125 participants turned out for the day-long continuing education program in Lynn Hall. The 12th annual symposium on Sunday, March 8, attracted attendees from Indiana and seven other states, including Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Alabama and Ohio.

Ruby’s Road to Recovery

When Ruby first came to the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, she was just nine months old, and her injuries were more complex than when they first appeared. Ruby is a toy poodle and over a month earlier, while playing, she jumped off a couch and fractured both of her front legs. Despite several weeks of treatment with splints and casts, her legs were not healing properly. She had surgery performed on both her front legs and received a bone graft to help speed up the healing process. With meticulous surgical aftercare and a planned series of rechecks, Ruby began her journey to recovery.