Sarah Boudreau
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Category: news directly from around campus Heatstroke in pets: What every pet owner should know , articleAs we move into summer, it's important to know the signs of heatstroke in your pet and what to do for their safety and health.
Date: Jun 17, 2025 -
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Category: impact Four tips for creating a pet-friendly garden , articleGardening offers the opportunity to enjoy the sunshine and make your yard prettier. Here are some ways to create a safe garden you and your pets can enjoy.
Date: May 19, 2025 -
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Category: impact Big dog, even bigger mission , articleFrida, a cane corso, lived a joyous life that was extended by treatment at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center that may help other dogs and people live longer, fuller lives.
Date: Apr 14, 2025 -
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Category: news directly from around campus Lilies and cats: A deadly combination , articleLilies may be beautiful, but they are extremely toxic to cats — even small exposures can be fatal — so pet owners should keep them out of their homes and gardens.
Date: Apr 03, 2025 -
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Category: news directly from around campus Senior cat health alert: Recognizing hyperthyroidism , articleHyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder for cats middle-aged and older cats, but early progression of the disease might fly under the radar for many cat owners.
Date: Mar 13, 2025 -
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Category: academics Veterinary college alumna demystifies decision-making for pet owners , articleSally Suttenfield DVM '91 is the author of 'Understanding Your Pet's Lab Work: A Guide to Communicating with Your Veterinarian.'
Date: Feb 13, 2025 -
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Category: impact This veterinary alumnus is a 'big-picture' thinker , articleTaylor Engle oversees millions of animals as a consulting veterinarian and part owner at Four Star Veterinary Service.
Date: Feb 03, 2025 -
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Category: impact Love languages: Understanding how your pet communicates , articlePets' body language depends on context, but here are a few quick tips to help owners decode it for better understanding.
Date: Feb 03, 2025 -
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Category: impact Alumna volunteers veterinary expertise to help underserved communities , articleLindsey Buracker works through the Banfield Foundation and its charitable partners to bring free or low-cost veterinary care to the pets of Navajo Nation.
Date: Dec 16, 2024 -
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Category: impact Gifts celebrate memory of beloved dog and purchase new equipment , articleMaryanne Pagonis has helped the veterinary college purchase a portable ultrasound and a shockwave unit.
Date: Nov 26, 2024 -
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Category: impact Understanding diabetes in pets , articleNational Pet Diabetes Month offers chance to learn more about how your pet may suffer from a malady also common in humans.
Date: Nov 19, 2024 -
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Category: impact Veterinary social worker provides support, 'space to talk' for pet owners , articlePet owners and veterinary professionals make difficult decisions and struggle with grief and fatigue. That's where a veterinary social worker can help.
Date: Oct 21, 2024 -
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Category: impact Routine checkup at veterinary hospital discovers serious heart condition in 8-year-old dog , articleAlready part of a study for mitral valve disease, Louie was found to have an unrelated heart condition.
Date: Oct 16, 2024 -
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Category: impact Veterinary student develops nutrition guidelines for local animal shelters , articleNot only has E'lisia Davis helped shelter pets become healthier, but she's given shelter employees resources they can use for years to come.
Date: Oct 14, 2024 -
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Category: impact Rare stallion fights dangerous infection at Veterinary Teaching Hospital , articleThe 19-year-old Akhal-Teke stallion was treated for a severe muscle infection in his neck and is recovering back at home at the Akhal-Teke Foundation.
Date: Oct 02, 2024 -
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Category: impact Veterinary Teaching Hospital care helps puppy ‘run like the wind’ , articleSharon Harrell noticed something off about her puppy's gait, but after Veterinary Teaching Hospital care, Miryam is now participating in dog sports.
Date: Sep 11, 2024 -
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Category: news directly from around campus Why all dog owners need to know about leptospirosis , articleLeptospirosis, known colloquially as "lepto," lives in wet environments and can be spread through the urine of infected animals.
Date: Sep 10, 2024 -
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Category: impact Social workers provide human support in veterinary medicine , articleAugusta O’Reilly works with the people side of veterinary medicine, supporting clients through grief and hard decisions, providing “the opportunity to be fragile."
Date: Sep 05, 2024 -
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Category: impact How to keep your pet’s coat healthy , articleNutrition and grooming are keys to maintaining pet coat health.
Date: Aug 13, 2024 -
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Category: academics Internship prepares veterinary student for a food animal career , articleVeterinary student Carla Gutierrez worked with two experienced veterinarians to gain new perspectives and more hands-on experience during a Virginia Academy of Food Animal Practitioners internship.
Date: Aug 06, 2024 -
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Category: research New technique could help treat aggressive brain tumors , articleBurst sine wave electroporation was found to cause less damage to cells and tissue but more disruption to the blood-brain barrier.
Date: Jul 16, 2024 -
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Category: academics “New doors will always open”: Nathaniel Tablante retires after 27 years at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine , articleAfter 27 years at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Nathaniel Tablante has retired. He served as associate director of the Center for Public and Corporate Veterinary Medicine, professor, and poultry veterinarian with University of Maryland Extension.
Date: Jul 16, 2024 -
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Category: academics International exchange in Chile provides veterinary students with research, clinical experience , articleThe collaboration between the Austral University of Chile and the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine began in 1996 and has since expanded to other colleges across Virginia Tech.
Date: Jul 08, 2024 -
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Category: impact Is your pet stressed? , articleStress can cause unwanted behaviors and can lead to injury, illness, and aggression in cats and dogs. As a pet owner, it’s important to be aware of and address your pet’s stress so your pet can be happy and healthy.
Date: Jul 01, 2024 -
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Category: impact Why preventive medicine is key to pet health , articleRegular wellness visits, vaccinations, dental care, and other routine appointments can catch health issues earlier and make them less expensive to treat.
Date: Jun 13, 2024 -
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Category: research Ilektra Athanasiadi finds rewards in using radiation therapy to treat pets with cancer , articleAs a radiation oncologist, Athanasiadi is a core part of the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, one of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine’s three hospitals.
Date: Jun 05, 2024 -
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Category: impact Veterinary hospital teamwork helps dog survive toxic ingestion , articleAttentive veterinary care and an emergency referral to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital helped a dog named Chop recover from neurological intoxication.
Date: May 30, 2024 -
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Category: research Study considers human medicine for answers on common canine immune disease , articleOakley, a 3-year-old Doberman pinscher from Beckley, West Virginia, recovers from a severe case of immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) thanks to advanced treatment at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, where research into the disease could lead to breakthroughs in treatment for dogs.
Date: May 29, 2024 -
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Category: research Researchers use AI to study deadly hemorrhagic fever viruses , articleAs part of a $3.25 million Department of Defense grant through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, researchers at the veterinary college, the University of Montreal, and SRI International are using artificial intelligence to study hemorrhagic fever viruses with the ultimate goal of identifying targets for therapeutics.
Date: May 23, 2024 -
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Category: impact Allergies in dogs and cats are nothing to sneeze at , articleSpring is in full swing, which means pollen and other allergens are wreaking havoc on the 50 million Americans who experience seasonal allergies. But humans aren’t the only species that suffer due to allergens — other animals, including our pets, can have allergies, too.
Date: May 20, 2024 -
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Category: research Margie Lee's research on how chickens fight salmonella offers clues to help other animals and humans , articleVeterinary college associate dean's research has uncovered the secrets of the chicken’s microbiome and changed the way the poultry industry tackles salmonella.
Date: Apr 29, 2024 -
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Category: impact Lyme Disease in Dogs: What Dog Owners Should Know , articleAs Lyme disease cases rise in the United States, not only humans are at risk; dogs are increasingly vulnerable to this tick-borne illness. The disease's spread is facilitated by ticks, which thrive in tall grasses and wooded areas and symptoms in dogs can range from fever and joint pain to more serious conditions like kidney damage if left untreated.
Date: Apr 12, 2024 -
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Category: impact Transformative alliance: Health leaders, Virginia Tech forge new partnership for diabetes management and support , articleOver 630,000 people in Virginia have diabetes, which can lead to increased risks of heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and death.
Date: Apr 10, 2024 -
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Category: impact Teresa Southard seeks answers in veterinary forensics cases , articleSouthard, associate professor of anatomic pathology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, works to uncover if animal deaths are related to illegal activity, such as neglect and abuse.
Date: Apr 08, 2024 -
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Category: impact Public health alumna Caitlin Sharkey brings her homework into the real world , articleWhat started as a classroom assignment has become part of the Bradley Free Clinic's standard operating procedure for infection control. Sharkey, a 2023 alumnus, is the health administrator at the Roanoke clinic.
Date: Apr 03, 2024 -
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Category: impact Things you need to know before you bring home your new puppy , articleNational Puppy Day is March 23, but we like to celebrate all year long. If you’ve decided to add a puppy to your life, here are some things you need to keep in mind to make sure your puppy is set up for success.
Date: Mar 25, 2024 -
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Category: impact Marilyn Ortega named veterinary college's assistant director of belonging and strategic initiatives , articleThe Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine has hired Marilyn Ortega as the assistant director of belonging and strategic initiatives. In this inaugural position, Ortega will work to foster a culture of inclusivity at the college and will be responsible for community engagement and programming.
Date: Mar 14, 2024 -
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Virginia Tech Advantage Empowering tomorrow's leaders: Virginia Tech's Presidential Scholars tackle public health challenges , articleWith ambitions ranging from health care accessibility consulting to pediatric medicine, and supported by a comprehensive system of financial aid, mentorship, and research opportunities, these scholars are poised to make significant impacts on public health, reflecting Virginia Tech's dedication to access and service.
Date: Feb 27, 2024 -
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Category: impact Veterinary college helps keep an equine athlete at the top of his game , articleTurbo, a 20-year-old Lusitano, thrives in the elite world of dressage through to the diligence of his owner, riders, farrier, and veterinary care team.
Date: Feb 08, 2024 -
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Category: academics Laura Parkhurst joins veterinary college amid national shelter crisis , articleLaura Parkhurst has taken on the role of clinical instructor in shelter medicine and surgery clerkship at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine amidst a critical time for animal shelters nationwide.
Date: Feb 07, 2024 -
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Category: academics Sunshine Lahmers receives 2023 Zoetis Distinguished Veterinary Teacher Award , articleA clinical associate professor of cardiology, Lahmers works with students throughout their veterinary education.
Date: Jan 30, 2024 -
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Category: campus experience Corps of Cadets' Growley III gets a clean bill of health from the Veterinary Teaching Hospital , articleThe Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets' canine ambassador receives veterinary care through the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
Date: Jan 22, 2024 -
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Virginia Tech Advantage Scholarship helps student pursue equine veterinary medicine , articleSarah Landeck, a Class of 2027 student at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, is the first recipient of the Maria and David Williams Equine Veterinary Scholarship.
Date: Jan 22, 2024 -
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Virginia Tech Advantage Scholarships open doors for Carla Gutierrez to study to become a livestock veterinarian , articleIn addition to helping with day-to-day expenses, scholarships have opened the doors to more opportunities and allowed Gutierrez to focus on her interests.
Date: Jan 18, 2024 -
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Category: academics Veterinary students get hands-on with alternative treatment for canine knee injuries , articlePart of an elective on small animal physical rehabilitation at the veterinary college., the purpose of the class is to introduce the students to a variety of methods to support patients with orthopedic and musculoskeletal diseases and prepare them offer a better spectrum of care for their future patients.
Date: Jan 04, 2024 -
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Category: academics Veterinary college welcomes diverse expertise this fall with 12 new hires , articleThe new faculty includes specialists in areas such as virology, student success, veterinary social work, small animal surgery, emergency medicine, anatomic pathology, large animal surgery, and radiology.
Date: Jan 03, 2024 -
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Category: impact 2023 pet food drive a success , articleThree animal lovers from across the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine came together to organize a pet food drive for three local animal shelters.
Date: Dec 22, 2023 -
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Category: academics Keep Your Pet Safe During the Holidays , articleCelebrating the holidays can bring a lot of joy, but it can also endanger the health of your furry companions. It’s important to be aware of pet health hazards — especially around the holidays, when the home is filled with new sights and smells like decorations and holiday meals.
Date: Dec 08, 2023 -
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Category: academics Emily Lawrence joins Animal Care for Education program , articleEmily Lawrence has joined the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine as a collegiate assistant professor in the Animal Care for Education (ACE) program. In addition to working with students in labs, she takes care of the ACE canine instructors.
Date: Dec 06, 2023 -
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Category: research Veterinary college’s Roger Ramirez-Barrios receives Zoetis Research Award , articleRamirez-Barrios, clinical associate professor of veterinary parasitology, received the recognition for his work on disease-causing parasites. The award acknowledges researchers whose innovative studies have advanced the scientific standing of veterinary medicine.
Date: Dec 05, 2023 -
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Category: impact Golden retriever's life changed by state-of-the-art veterinary procedure , articleWillow, a golden retriever with ectopic ureters was treated at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Date: Nov 28, 2023 -
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Category: academics Tanya LeRoith named president-elect of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians , articleLeRoith, who has been with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine since 2005, is the director of Virginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services.
Date: Nov 22, 2023 -
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Category: impact Veterinary college lab selected to fight emerging diseases in national partnership , articleVirginia Tech Animal Laboratory Services is one of five laboratories chosen for this new partnership between the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility.
Date: Nov 20, 2023 -
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Category: impact A puppy with a purpose: Veterinary student raises and trains a service dog , articleKelsey Thornton, a third-year veterinary student in the small animal track, is a puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence.
Date: Nov 15, 2023 -
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Category: research Oral cancer clinical trial offers hope to dogs and their owners , articleBambi, a border collie, is enrolled in a clinical trial at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke. In the clinical trial, veterinary radiation oncologist Ilektra Athanasiadi aims to evaluate the safety and feasibility of treating oral cancers with a device that delivers chemotherapy directly to the tumor.
Date: Nov 14, 2023 -
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Category: academics Veterinary professor collaborates with surgeons in Japan on mini hip replacements , articleOtto Lanz, professor of small animal surgery at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, recently spent six months in Japan to collaborate with veterinarians on mini total hip replacements.
Date: Nov 09, 2023 -
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Category: impact Alumna receives U.S. Public Health Service’s Excellence in Public Health Award , articleVirginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine alumna Ella Rak received the 2023 award that recognizes outstanding work done during veterinary school.
Date: Nov 08, 2023 -
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Category: impact Micha C. Simons joins veterinary college , articleWith her practice focused on small animal soft tissue surgery, Simons handles everything from gastrointestinal surgeries to diagnostic biopsies to hernia repairs.
Date: Oct 11, 2023 -
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Category: research Veterinary college adds theriogenology resident to teaching hospital , articleThe college received a $125,000 grant from the American Kennel Club, its Canine Health Foundation, and the Theriogenology Foundation to support a full-time resident to study theriogenology, which is the science of animal reproductive systems and reproductive health.
Date: Sep 22, 2023 -
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Category: research Undergraduates gain veterinary research experience through Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program , articleThis summer, senior Kennedi Essex and junior Angel Collins, both animal and poultry sciences majors, worked with Priscila Serpa, research assistant professor of clinical pathology, on a variety of projects.
Date: Sep 15, 2023 -
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Category: research Veterinary professor receives grant for lupus research , articleXin Luo, professor of immunology, received a $300,000 grant from the Department of Defense to establish a new, double humanized model for lupus.
Date: Sep 15, 2023 -
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Category: research Veterinary students awarded fellowships from the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research , articleBriana Gleizer and Taylor Mortensen, both veterinary students from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, were selected for the Veterinary Student Research Fellowship. This marks the first time any student from the college has been chosen for this fellowship.
Date: Sep 15, 2023 -
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Category: research James Weger-Lucarelli receives grant to develop tools to aid researchers in study of RNA viruses , articleWeger-Lucarelli will use the $150,000 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to develop easy-to-use tools and techniques that will allow more researchers to study RNA viruses and their mutations.
Date: Aug 16, 2023 -
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Category: impact Helen the cane corso helps humans and animals through osteosarcoma clinical trial , articleHelen is an 8½-year old gentle giant who’s fighting osteosarcoma and, through participation in a clinical trial through the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, is helping develop a new cancer treatment.
Date: Aug 01, 2023 -
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Category: impact Virginia vaccination project named national 'immunization champion' , articleVirginia Cooperative Extension was recently recognized by the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit as an “Immunization Neighborhood” Immunization Champion.
Date: Jun 13, 2023 -
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Category: academics Class of 2023: Veterinary graduate joins U.S. Army , articleMaddie Nardi graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine through the Health Professions Scholarship Program, which covers tuition and provides a stipend in exchange for a commitment to join the U.S. Army.
Date: May 18, 2023 -
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Category: impact Team Tootsie: Veterinary hospital and owners help poodle walk again , articleTootsie, began to trip and fall in early 2023. The team at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine performed surgery and rehab to help her with wobbler syndrome, a condition caused by a compressed spinal cord.
Date: May 18, 2023 -
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Category: campus experience Class of 2023: Coast Guard veteran Heather Skowron forges a nontraditional path to veterinary medicine , articleUnlike many veterinary students, when Skowron was a child growing up in Rhode Island, she didn’t know she wanted to be a veterinarian. After two years of community college, she earned her bachelor's in liberal arts from Rivier University in New Hampshire and began an office job — but at the age of 23, she decided she needed to change direction.
Date: May 09, 2023 -
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Category: campus experience Class of 2023: Adriana Fratz named veterinary college valedictorian , articleFollowing graduation a dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Public Health, Fratz plans on working in disease surveillance with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations for the summer before starting work with a small animal practice in New York.
Date: May 05, 2023 -
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Category: campus experience Class of 2023: Stephanie Valencic lives 'Ut Prosim' through a passion for public health , articleValencic is the Bachelor of Science in Public Health program's 2023 Outstanding Senior.
Date: May 03, 2023 -
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Category: academics Chilean veterinary student exchange brings new perspectives, opportunities , articleIn a three-month exchange, students from the veterinary college and the Austral University of Chile explore hands-on opportunities. The two Chilean students studying at the veterinary college this year are Priscila Soto and Maksimiano Rodríguez.
Date: Apr 26, 2023 -
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Category: academics Annual graduate research symposium supports college's mission , articleThe Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine hosts an annual research symposium both to support the college’s mission of educating a diverse population of professional and post-graduate students preparing for careers in veterinary medicine, biomedical sciences, and public health and to showcase the research of its graduate and training programs.
Date: Apr 21, 2023 -
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Category: academics Li-Jen Chang joins veterinary college as clinical assistant professor , articleChang, clinical assistant professor of veterinary anesthesia and pain management, will spend most of his time working at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, one of the college’s three hospitals.
Date: Apr 14, 2023 -
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Category: impact Cat named Mona Lisa keeps making smiles thanks to cancer treatment, Petco Love funds , articleIn early 2022, Mona Lisa began to have trouble breathing. After a referral to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, her owners learned she had intranasal cancer and an aggressive tumor grew behind her right eye.
Date: Apr 14, 2023 -
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Category: impact Something to be grateful for , articleOn March 4, the veterinary college hosted the Evening of Gratitude, an annual event that celebrates and shows gratitude for the donors who have so generously supported the college.
Date: Mar 27, 2023 -
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Category: academics New veterinary college clinician Mary Songster-Alpin embraces teaching, spectrum of care , articleSongster-Alpin will work as a clinical veterinarian for clients at the college’s Small Animal Community Practice, oversee veterinary students in their fourth-year rotations, and instruct in various labs and lectures.
Date: Mar 17, 2023 -
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Category: campus experience Latinx Veterinary Medical Association Chapter creates a home away from home , articleThe chapter puts on events such as trivia nights, lunch and learns, and panels where Latinx/Hispanic faculty speak on their experiences in the field and the challenges they’ve faced.
Date: Mar 13, 2023 -
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Category: impact Roger Ramirez-Barrios named Virginia Veterinary Medical Association’s Mentor of the Year , articleRamirez-Barrios makes students a priority and sees mentorship as part of his job, not an extra obligation.
Date: Mar 03, 2023 -
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Category: academics Veterinary alumna Rebecca Persons joins college as clinical instructor , articleIn her position as clinical instructor, Persons focuses on clinical practice and also divides her time between teaching and assisting with labs.
Date: Feb 22, 2023 -
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Category: impact Veterinary college's spectrum of care improves 11-year-old dog's life after leg injury , articleWhen Sophie, the Newfoundland/golden retriever mix, suddenly could not stand on her hind leg, owner Angela McCoy Williams sought emergency care at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Sophie had torn a ligament in her back right leg.
Date: Feb 17, 2023 -
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Category: impact A night of glamour and giving back , articleProceeds from the January event will be applied to two programs that are used at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Date: Feb 06, 2023 -
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Category: academics Yuba Gautam joins faculty at Virginia Tech Public Health Program , articleGautam will teach in the undergraduate and graduate public health programs and aid in placing students in practicums so they can get hands-on experience and apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations.
Date: Jan 29, 2023 -
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Category: culture Only 1.2 percent of veterinarians are Black — this club chapter wants to change that , articleStudents at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine have established the newest chapter of the National Association of Black Veterinarians, working to provide education and promote inclusion within an overwhelmingly white field.
Date: Jan 24, 2023 -
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Category: academics Chris Byron named new head of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Virginia Tech veterinary college amid equine crisis , articleByron, who has been a faculty member at the college since 2014, currently divides his time between teaching, research, and clinical work. He will succeed Sherrie Clark, professor of theriogenology, who has held the position of interim department head since January 2021.
Date: Jan 09, 2023 -
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Category: campus experience 'This is your space': LGBTQ+ students forge community at veterinary college , articleLGBTQ+ students at the veterinary college have created a chapter of PrideSVMC, a place for community and camaraderie. PrideSVMC is the student arm of PrideVMC, a national organization of LGBTQ+ veterinary professionals.
Date: Jan 06, 2023 -
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Category: impact Veterinary student presents research on resuscitation orders, client communication at international conference , articleThrough the research, third-year student Anna Horowitz and her co-authors are developing a better understanding of the communication around CPR and do-not-resuscitate orders for pets.
Date: Oct 11, 2023