1,100+ Attend Purdue Veterinary Conference for Learning and Fun

Alicea Howell, RVT, VTS (Behavior), KPA-CTP (PU VT-BS 2003) leads a session in the Vet Tech Specialty I track Thursday, September 21, at the 2017 Purdue Veterinary Conference.

 

The 2017 Purdue Veterinary Conference attracted attendees from near and far for top quality continuing education and a variety of special events September 19-23 on Purdue University's West Lafayette campus. A total of 1,118 registered for the conference, including 264 veterinarians; 166 veterinary technicians; 185 Purdue Veterinary Medicine faculty, staff, and faculty emeriti; 256 PVM students; and 173 other guests. Additionally, the exhibit hall in the Purdue Memorial Union South Ballroom was staffed by 74 exhibitor representatives and served as a popular break location with interactive displays, giveaways, refreshments, and engaging conversation.

Dean Willie Reed pauses for a photo during the conference with current PVM Veterinary Technology students (left-right): Ashanti Lee, Sierra Church, Alycia Smith, and Taylor Seufert all of the VT Class of 2018.

 

Conference sessions were led by 64 speakers who conducted 114 continuing education (CE) sessions. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in two interactive labs on "Bovine Reproduction" and "Avian Procedures for the Beginner." A popular new addition to the line-up this year, the "Emergency Preparedness: Disease and Disaster" track, featured sessions on agroterrorism, disaster triage, and animal disease events. The track was sponsored by the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.

Conference-goers also had the opportunity to hear a variety of special lecturers, including presentations on diversity in veterinary medicine and wellness, and the Dr. Jack and Naomi Stockton / Class of 1971 Lecture, which focused on the challenges and collaborative One Health approach involved in the care of military working dogs. The talk on Thursday, September 21, entitled, "The Role and Medical Management of Military Working Dogs in Combat," was presented by Dr. Jim Giles, retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel who spent 18 years as a military veterinarian serving around the world, including a year in Afghanistan.

Elanco Human-Animal Bond lecturers (left-right), Dr. Niwako Ogata and Dr. Libby Richards, join PVM Dean Willie Reed and Dr. Alan Beck, Dorothy N. McAllister Professor of Animal Ecology and the director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond, on stage at Fowler Hall Tuesday evening, September 19.

 

The public was invited to join conference attendees to hear the Elanco Human-Animal Bond Lecture Tuesday evening, September 19. Dr. Niwako Ogata, PVM assistant professor of animal behavior, and Dr. Libby Richards, Purdue University assistant professor of nursing, spoke about the reciprocal relationship between human and canine health, including the many benefits afforded to both owner and dog by simply taking daily walks together.

The week of the Purdue Veterinary Conference doubles as the College's homecoming and included special events in celebration of PVM's outstanding alumni, faculty, and supporters. The Awards Celebration held Wednesday evening, September 20, honored ten awardees, including several faculty members and three distinguished alumni. Additionally, the Meet Me @ the Mixer Reception Thursday evening, September 21, served as a lively networking event as well as an opportunity to recognize Purdue Veterinary Medicine's alumni reunion classes, including the Golden Anniversary DVM Class of 1967 and the Silver Anniversary DVM Class of 1992.

Bookending the conference were two recreational events. The annual Indiana Animal Health Foundation/PVM Golf Outing Tuesday, September 19, gave attendees a chance to enjoy the newly renovated Purdue Ackerman-Allen Golf Course while raising funds for scholarships and the support of student activities. The Dr. Skip Jackson Dog Jog Saturday, September 23, capped off the week, providing an opportunity for the general public to bring their dogs to the College and join with PVM faculty, staff, and students, and their canine companions, for a 5K fun run/walk that began and ended in front of Lynn Hall. The event finished just in time for everyone to migrate across campus for the Purdue Homecoming and tailgating festivities that took place around Ross Ade Stadium and along Stadium Mall prior to the football game against Michigan.

Special thanks to the Purdue Veterinary Conference sponsors: Elanco, Zoetis, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Cook Animal Health, Nutrena, Purina Veterinary Diets, the Indiana State Department of Health and the Indiana State Board of Animal Health.