PVM Heads “Off to the Races” at Purdue Alumni’s Boilermaker Ball

March 2, 2018

Boilermaker Ball attendees (front row, left-right): Sarah Lobe, Ian Lobe, Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital Equine Surgeon Timm Gudehus, Dr. Jessica Leto-Gudehus, Dr. Matt Cantrell (PU DVM ’10), and Megan Cantrell; (back row, left-right): Mrs. Emalese Adams, PVM Professor of Large Animal Surgery Stephen Adams (PU MS ’78), PVM Senior Director of Development Tanya Finkbiner, and Boone Finkbiner.

It was “Off to the Races” last weekend for the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, which was recognized as the featured partner of the Purdue Alumni Association at the 11^th Annual Boilermaker Ball. Held Saturday, February 24, at the Indianapolis Marriott, the event featured a Kentucky Derby theme that gave the College a unique opportunity to share the impact it makes on Indiana’s equine industry with a crowd of loyal Boilermaker alumni and friends. More than 600 people attended, dressed in their finest derby attire.

Third-year veterinary students Abigail Haffner and Meghan Wanstrath, who are both tracking equine, were present to share facts and figures surrounding the Indiana equine industry. Also on hand was Purdue Pete, who donned jockey silks and a helmet cover to pose for photos with event guests.

PVM dignitaries at the Boilermaker Ball (left-right): Former State Sen. Robert Jackman (PU DVM ’67) Karen Jackman, PVM Advancement Director Chad Rohlfs, Melissa Rohlfs, Dr. Ann Jonkman and Haley Jonkman, who are VTH clients, VTH Director Duncan Hockley, Shelagh Hockley, Dr. Dorothy Reed, and Dean Willie Reed.

The highlight of the evening was a three-minute video featuring “Love Bug,” a recent Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) patient. Love Bug is a dressage pony owned by Dr. Ann Jonkman and her daughter, 16-year-old Hayley Jonkman. Last fall, Love Bug developed a cough so severe that she was unable to finish a riding lesson, so her veterinarian referred her to the VTH for further examination. Diagnostic procedures developed by Dr. Laurent Couëtil revealed that Love Bug was suffering from asthma. The prescribed treatment resolved Love Bug’s symptoms and she was able to compete in Nationals a month later.

Click here to view the video about Love Bug that was shown at the event.

The VTH treats over 1,400 horses each year, and the College is proud to celebrate its impact on the health of equine athletes. PVM thanks the Jonkmans — and Love Bug — for allowing the College and the Purdue Alumni Association to share their story.

Writer(s): Lauren Bruce, Susan Xioufaridou | pvmnews@purdue.edu

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