Meet PVM’s Grateful Client Director of Development

Purdue Veterinary Medicine welcomes the newest member of the College’s Development Team, Chris Parker, who started as the Grateful Client Director of Development May 22.  In addition to working to enhance the College’s existing Grateful Client program, Chris will play a significant role in the new Veterinary Teaching Hospital fundraising campaign.

Chris has a diverse background that included moving to Indiana from Kansas after he earned his master’s degree in social work. He initially worked as a counselor and then accepted the position of assistant director at the Lafayette Adult Resource Academy, where he managed a $250,000 grant. At the same time, he led a fundraising effort for a group that was starting a counseling center. That’s when he realized there are many transferable skills between counseling and meeting with people for development purposes. “In both situations, it is best if you go in with no agenda and just focus on establishing a connection and rapport,” Chris said.

Chris has a personality that matches well with the purpose of the grateful client director position. He said it is important to realize that connecting with appreciative clients is vital because they tend to be passionate in their feelings toward the College, since they have benefitted directly from the hospital’s services. “When a doctor demonstrates understanding toward clients and their pets, and provides exceptional attention and care, the clients want others to experience that as well,” Chris explained. He also is passionate about wanting to honor clients by extending to them the opportunity to “give back.”

Outside of work, Chris and his wife are renovating their home, which they enjoy doing together. When he’s not traveling to meet with grateful clients or working on his house, Chris typically can be found spending time with his two dogs, Lady and Lucy.  As you see Chris around Lynn Hall, please give him a warm PVM welcome!

Writer(s): Maya Sanaba, PVM Communications Intern | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

New Staff Members Join Department of Comparative Pathobiology

Two administrative assistants, Heather Fell and Amanda Scheurich, recently joined the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Comparative Pathobiology (CPB).

Dr. Darryl Ragland Named as Purdue Veterinary Medicine Extension Director

Purdue Professor of Food Animal Production Medicine Darryl Ragland has been selected as the director of extension for the College of Veterinary Medicine. In that role, he will oversee the activities of the college’s extension service, which shares practical applications of Purdue research with livestock producers in Indiana and around the world, and enables Hoosier farmers to raise animals using healthy and sustainable livestock production practices.

Purdue Veterinary Alumnus Jeffrey Harker Receives Indiana Pork Award for Meritorious Service

Indiana Pork recently presented awards to individuals who have dedicated time to advancing the swine industry and one of the recipients is well known to Purdue alumni for his career as a swine practitioner. Dr. Jeffrey Harker of Frankfort, Indiana, received the Indiana Pork Industry Meritorious Service Award.

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

Today we are happy to highlight Dr. Camilla Jamieson, clinical assistant professor of large animal emergency and critical care.

Strong turnout for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Wellness Forum Demonstrates Value of Equine Health Education

The 2025 Equine Wellness Forum attracted an enthusiastic audience that included additional attendees who participated virtually. The day-long continuing education event hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine on Saturday, February 8, highlighted the value of the equine health education provided by the college to equine enthusiasts.