{"id":30451,"date":"2025-07-25T10:20:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/?p=30451"},"modified":"2025-07-25T10:20:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T14:20:52","slug":"pvr-s2025-werling-center-dedication-ceremony-celebrates-a-name-with-a-tale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vet.purdue.edu\/news\/pvr-s2025-werling-center-dedication-ceremony-celebrates-a-name-with-a-tale.php","title":{"rendered":"Werling Center Dedication Ceremony Celebrates a Name with a Tale"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

New Purdue Veterinary Medicine Resource is Dedicated to Healing and Hope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Like the beginning of a beloved children\u2019s story, the tale of the inception of a new Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine center devoted to comparative cancer research and treatment starts with a scene involving an adorable dog named Brandi. That scene was shared recently via a video played during a special ceremony attended by college supporters, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and relatives and friends of the family for whom the center is named. The event was the official dedication of the Evan and Sue Ann Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center May 23, 2025, which was held outside Lynn Hall near the entrance that leads to the new center\u2019s reception area.

\u201cWelcome everybody. I\u2019m so glad you\u2019re all here,\u201d said the director of the new center, Dr. Deborah Knapp, Distinguished Professor of Comparative Oncology, who also holds a named faculty position, the Dolores L. McCall Professor of Comparative Oncology. \u201cI am pleased to take just a few minutes to tell you why this center is so important and a bit about how this all started.\u201d

Dr. Knapp then shared how Purdue\u2019s team of comparative oncology specialists treats pet animals, mostly dogs, with cancer in order to help each individual animal, and in the process, learn something that will help accomplish more for the next 100 dogs they see with that same condition. \u201cAnd, at the same time, we are learning new information about human cancer and how to prevent or treat it more effectively,\u201d Dr. Knapp said. \u201cThis is possible because certain forms of cancer in pet animals are very similar to those same cancers in people. It\u2019s really a win-win-win. Each dog with cancer is given the best chance to live and enjoy life with quality. Future dogs benefit from what we learn, and humans who have cancer or who are at risk for developing cancer also ultimately benefit as well.\u201d

With that summary as an introduction, Dr. Knapp went on to relay the story of a particular dog named Brandi and her human companions, Evan and Sue Ann Werling. They were a trio bound together by the human-animal bond. \u201cWhat we are celebrating today started March 14, 2005,\u201d Dr. Knapp recalled. \u201cI was working in the clinic that day with Patty Bonney, our long time veterinary nurse and clinical trials coordinator. One of the dogs we saw that day was Brandi Werling, a really sweet basset hound and Australian shepherd mix, the kind of dog who wins your heart over right away.\u201d

Dr. Knapp then shared how Brandi\u2019s veterinarian recommended that she be brought to the Purdue University Small Aimal Hospital for treatment after she was diagnosed with bladder cancer, also called transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) or urothelial carcinoma. \u201cWe discussed multiple treatment options with Evan and Sue Ann. Brandi, as it turned out, participated in not one, but two clinical trials, and enjoyed life for another 15 months, and she gave us new knowledge to help others.\u201d

Dr. Knapp further explained how, during that time, her team had many opportunities to get to know Evan and Sue Ann, and to form a friendship that lasts today. \u201cSadly, Evan lost a heroic battle with cancer a little over two years ago, but before he passed, he wanted to be sure their wishes to make a transformative gift to our comparative oncology program came to fruition.\u201d That generous, multi-year gift was recognized with the naming of the center in their honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Among the ceremony guests was Chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees Gary Lehman, who joined in a photo with Sue Ann and Dean Bret Marsh.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Purdue comparative oncology team members gathered with Sue Ann for a group photo around the sculpture of Brandi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dr. Knapp and Sue Ann Werling with PVM Dean Emeritus Willie Reed who served as dean when the Werling gift and naming were finalized.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Knapp continued by highlighting how their support has had a transformative impact \u2013 enabling the college\u2019s comparative oncology program to add team members, make needed facility renovations, take on more clinical trials, pursue an important immunotherapy initiative, and offer hope to more animals with cancer and their families. \u201cIt has really set us up for strategic growth and impact, and to continue to be world leaders in this field. For this we are forever grateful.\u201d

Dr. Knapp then turned the podium over to Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh who shared how the new center relates directly to one of Purdue\u2019s top strategic priorities. \u201cIt fits extremely well with the One Health Initiative of Purdue University,\u201d Dean Marsh said. \u201cAnd so this center, and the gift that has come from the Werling family, is not only for today, but it\u2019s generational because the things we will learn through this center will not only help us today, but into the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sue Ann Werling shared heartfelt comments during an inspiring message about her support and encouragement for Purdue\u2019s comparative oncology team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dr. Marsh then stepped away from the podium as the audience\u2019s attention turned to a large video monitor situated at the center of the outdoor stage, and a video began. The video was an illustrated, narrated children\u2019s story about Brandi and the Werlings that quite literally tied-up the ceremony with a bow. The story recounted Brandi\u2019s life with the Werlings, from her adoption from a humane society, to the successful clinical trials that extended her life. Interwoven throughout the story were references to Brandi\u2019s enduring love for opening presents. Then, as the video concluded, Dean Marsh and Dr. Knapp opened a large gift box to reveal a stunning sculpture of Brandi that will be located in the college\u2019s Pet Tribute Garden, adjacent to Lynn Hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Knapp and Purdue Veterinary Medicine Dean Bret Marsh opened a gift box to unveil a beautiful sculpture of Brandi as a video recounting the story of Brandi and the Werlings concluded.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sue Ann then was invited to speak. \u201cIt\u2019s a very special day for me. And I know it is for Evan,\u201d Sue Ann said, as her voice was laden with emotion. \u201cI want to challenge the Purdue oncologists, the research, the teams, what you\u2019re doing, to strive for the stars. You are our future All Star Team, to find the treatments and cure for cancer for our pets. And think about the possibilities of the treatments and cures for people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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The program concluded with opportunities to take guided tours of the new Werling Comparative Oncology Research Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Dr. Knapp then returned to the podium to conclude the program, inviting the guests to stay for a reception and guided tours of the center. Many also paused for photo ops with the newly unveiled Brandi sculpture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Click below to view a short video recap of the ceremony.
Video by Jet Kaiser and Bob Ridge with Indy Visuals<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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