Skip to main content

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

McAfee Animal Hospital anniversary celebration pictured The McAfee Animal Hospital, which is associated with three generations of veterinarians, including two Purdue graduates, held a grand 75th anniversary Open House and celebration July 21 in Vaparaiso, Ind.

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.

A large cake shaped like a paw print, decorated with colorful sprinkles and a small plush figure.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

Annual Purdue Veterinary Conference draws veterinary professionals from across the country for learning and fun

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.

Significant Gift from Jordan Smelski Foundation will fuel Purdue Veterinary Medicine research on deadly brain eating amoeba

A researcher in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology has received a generous gift of more than $100,000 from the Jordan Smelski Foundation for Amoeba Awareness and Mr. Steve Smelski to support research of the deadly amoeba Naegleria fowleri. Christopher Rice, PhD, assistant professor of parasitology and principal investigator of the Rice Research Group, leads a research team seeking to discover and repurpose drugs against primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but typically fatal infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.

Purdue veterinary student receives Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship awarded by AKC Humane Fund

The AKC® Humane Fund, Inc.℠ has announced the 2026 recipients of the Sir John D. Spurling Scholarship, celebrating the human-canine bond, and one of the recipients is Purdue veterinary student Tiffany Chang of the Class of 2027. Chang is one of only five students chosen for the scholarships.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Unites with Purdue United Way Campaign

With the goal of raising $700,000 by November 4 to support local nonprofit organizations that help individuals and families in Greater Lafayette, the Purdue United Way campaign took off September 23 with an official campaign launch on the front lawn of the Purdue Memorial Union. Purdue Veterinary Medicine, along with the university’s other colleges and units, will participate with the help of PVM faculty and staff ambassadors working to make it easy for people in the college to respond, whether by giving, or by indicating that they do not wish to give. As part of the PVM drive to support the campaign, Dean Bret Marsh and his wife, Polly, are contributing a match for campaign contributions from college faculty and staff. Additionally, a drawing will be held to select winners from those who contribute.

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

This week we commend Yasumasa Iimori, DVM, PhD, who is a resident in Emergency and Critical Care in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.