Week of Special Events Celebrates Contributions of PVM’s Veterinary Nurses

October 18, 2024

Instructional Technologist Jeannine Henry, RVT, displays her new Vet Tech Week T-shirt, complements of the Veterinary Nursing Student Organization (VNSO), as she is accompanied by VNSO President Aaliyah Turner (left) and VNSO fourth-year rep. Kylee Reinhardt.

Recognition and appreciation were emphasized this week in Lynn Hall as the College of Veterinary Medicine celebrated Veterinary Nursing Week (known nationally as Veterinary Technician Week). The college hosted daily events to show appreciation for the important role that veterinary nurses play as vital members of the veterinary team. Across the college, people were encouraged to take time this week to say thank you to PVM’s veterinary nurses, whether in clinics, labs, or the classroom, and to reflect on their significant skills and tireless efforts that are so important in providing excellent, compassionate veterinary care for animals.

Veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants turned-out in force for the Thanks a “Hole” Bunch donuts and coffee event hosted by the college in honor of Veterinary Nursing Week October 14-18.

Fun activities were scheduled throughout the week for the veterinary nurses and veterinary assistants, beginning with the “Thanks a ‘Hole’ Bunch Donuts and Coffee” session bright and early Tuesday morning, October 15. Wednesday brought an afternoon event called, “You’re the Coolest!” – featuring, of course, ice cream treats. Then, on Thursday, the Veterinary Nursing Student Organization (VNSO) sponsored and hosted an event that included adorable treats and a T-shirt give-away. The week-long celebration concludes today, Friday, October 18, with ’You are Our Heroes” Subway Sandwiches, which are being provided until 1:30 p.m. All of the events have taken place in the connecting hallway linking Lynn Hall with the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex.

The college also promoted the special week on social media by spotlighting PVM veterinary nurses and the great work they do. “Our college is extremely proud of our talented veterinary nurses who work tirelessly, whether they are providing excellent veterinary care, teaching, or supporting scientific discovery,” said Dr. Kathy Salisbury, interim dean. “Veterinary Nursing Appreciation Week provides an important opportunity to celebrate our highly capable and qualified veterinary nursing team.”

And there’s still time to say “thank you” to a veterinary nurse as part of Veterinary Nursing Week if you haven’t done so already!

Thank you and congratulations to all of our veterinary nurses!

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

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

The Wellness Committee would like to extend a heartfelt Paws Up to Laurie Marsh, who is a supervisor for the Emergency Critical Care & Small Animal Reception team.

Purdue VBMA Club Hosts Picture-perfect Activity

When veterinary students in the Purdue Chapter of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) were looking for a new event to host as a student organization, an intriguing idea came to mind that was easy to “picture” as a perfect success! So the club set out to plan the activity in order to meet an important need of the club members while also providing a fun chance for the students to get keepsake images of their furry study buddies.

PVM Faculty Legends Honored at 25th Annual Healing Oasis Wellness Center Conference

The theme “Knowledge – Like a Precious Metal, is PRICELESS,” proved especially appropriate for the 25th anniversary of the annual Healing Oasis Wellness Center Conference spearheaded by a Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumnus, Dr. Pedro Rivera. That’s because the conference, held at the end of 2025 at the National University of Health Sciences in Lombard, Illinois, gave special recognition to legendary Purdue Veterinary Medicine educators Kathy Salisbury and Ron Hullinger.

How the Brain Recognizes What It’s Seen Before and Why It Matters for Autism Research

When you walk into a familiar place — your kitchen, a classroom, or your neighborhood — your brain instantly starts matching what you see with memories of past experiences. A new study from Purdue University reveals a key piece of how that recognition process works, and why it may be disrupted in conditions such as Fragile X syndrome, a leading inherited cause of autism.

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

Today we are recognizing Chloe Morris, RVT, who is a veterinary technologist in Anesthesiology in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital.

Partnership to make Purdue Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program available to employees at more than 1,000 general practice veterinary hospitals

Already Purdue’s largest online program, the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Nursing Distance Learning program is partnering with National Veterinary Associates General Practice to offer the VNDL program to technicians at NVA’s more than 1,000 general practice veterinary hospitals.

PVM Distinguished Professor Suresh Mittal to Speak at Purdue’s Westwood Lecture Series

The Westwood Lecture Series is part of Purdue President Mung Chiang’s efforts aimed at enhancing the intellectual vibrancy of the Purdue West Lafayette campus, and the next featured speaker is Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Distinguished Professor of Virology, Dr. Suresh Mittal. His presentation entitled, “Universal Influenza Vaccine — An Aspiration or Reality?” is scheduled for January 28, and registration for the lecture is now open.

PVM Concludes 2024 with Recognition of Service Anniversaries and Award-winning Staff

As 2024 came to a close at Purdue University, the College of Veterinary Medicine continued a long-standing tradition of celebrating staff service anniversaries and recognizing staff and faculty accomplishments at the Staff Service Recognition Ceremony. Held in Lynn 1136 on Wednesday, December 18, the ceremony honored more than 70 PVM personnel.