Eleven projects will share in $184,406 in research funds awarded recently by the  OVC Pet Trust Fund. The successful projects were among 19 proposals received by the Pet Trust research committee for the winter 2014 competition.

• Dr. Dorothee Bienzle, Pathobiology ( $29,350): Kidney Injury Molecule-1 Assay in Cats

• Dr. Shauna Blois, Clinical Studies ($11,385): The effects of pre-storage leukoreduction on inflammation induced by blood transfusion in critically ill dogs

• Dr. Byram Bridle, Pathobiology ($11,593): Assessment of canine melanoma samples from the Ontario Veterinary College Companion Animal Tumour Bank for expression of antigens that can be targeted with an oncolytic cancer vaccine

• Dr. Claire Jardine, Pathobiology ($22,677): Canine distemper virus strains circulating in dogs and wildlife in Ontario

• Dr. Tony Ogg, Clinical Studies ($8,500): Evaluating the association between aspirin and clopidogrel metabolite levels in blood and platelet function in healthy cats receiving commonly prescribed anti-platelet medications

• Dr. Ameet Singh, Clinical Studies ($18,153): Effect of warmed carbon dioxide for pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy in healthy, mature dogs

• Dr. Alex Valverde, Clinical Studies ($9,582): Evaluation of the antihistaminic effects of diphenhydramine in dogs undergoing excision of mast cell tumours

• Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, Clinical Studies ($31,457): Prevalence of thiamine deficiency and response to subcutaneous repletion during critical illness in dogs and cats

• Dr. Geoff Wood, Pathobiology ($18,500): Autophagy as a chemotherapy sensitizer in canine osteosarcoma

• Dr. Darren Wood, Pathobiology ($14,539): Assessment of diagnostic and prognostic utility of microRNA in blood of dogs with lymphoma

• Dr. Scott Weese, Pathobiology ($8,670): Use of microbiota analysis to reduce morbidity and mortality in ornamental saltwater fish

The OVC Pet Trust Fund has once again received top honours for its fundraising efforts.

The second Pet Trust ‘A Walk in the Park’ Gala won gold as the best special event in the annual Prix d’Excellence awards of the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE). The awards were presented at the CCAE national conference held June 4-6 in Edmonton.

About 300 people attended the gala, held Oct. 17 at Daniels Spectrum in Toronto. The event raised about $400,000 in support of the Mona Campbell Centre for Animal Cancer at the Ontario Veterinary College.

The OVC Pet Trust Fund helps pets live longer, healthier lives by raising funds and investing in learning, veterinary health care and research at OVC.

Fundraising is up 22% this year, with over 300 more friends donating to Pet Trust compared to last year. Third-party groups play a key role in Pet Trust’s success: for example, Smiling Blue Skies raised $141,000 in the past fiscal year, and the annual OTS Dog Jog raised $9,040.

The annual CCAE Prix d’Excellence recognize outstanding achievements in alumni affairs, public affairs, communications, marketing, development, advancement services, stewardship, student recruitment and overall institutional advancement.

The University of Guelph picked up several other awards at this year’s CCAE event, including:

Gold – best donor relations initiative (2014 Impact of Giving)

Silver – best community initiative (Giving Tuesday)

Bronze – best print ad or poster (Better Planet Project impact advertisements); best writing (“Curiosity took U of G to Mars”); best donor relations initiative (Your Impact statements)

This year wasn’t the first time a Pet Trust event earned kudos from CCAE. The inaugural gala, held in 2011, won bronze from the CCAE and gold from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Lorraine Stubbs, an accomplished equestrian whose lifelong passion for her sport has inspired generations of riders, received an honorary degree from the University of Guelph on June 9.  

The honorary degree is presented for the many achievements during her outstanding career, and her record of community service as mentor and teacher and volunteer.

Lorraine Stubbs explained the finer points of dressage during a demonstration at the grand opening of the Ontario Veterinary College’s Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre in 2012.

One of Canada’s most accomplished equestrians, Lorraine Stubbs has shared her lifelong passion for horses as a world-class competitor, coach and judge, and as a champion for equine health and welfare.

During her career, Stubbs earned a reputation as an ambassador for her sport and her country. She was national dressage champion 15 times and represented Canada at three Pan Am Games and two Olympics, including a top 10 finish in Montreal in 1976. That same year, she established Rock Eden Farm, a renowned breeding and training facility for dressage and thoroughbred racehorses near Rockwood, Ont. In 1991, she won double gold at the Pan Am Games in Havana and was named Horsewoman of the Year.

Lorraine has also mentored and inspired generations of riders. She is the first Level III Certified Coach in Canada in any equestrian discipline and she coaches both at her farm and internationally. She has also served as a consultant to the RCMP breeding program and the Mounties’ famed Musical Ride.

Lorraine’s competitive spirit is matched by her dedication to supporting the community through thoughtful and generous philanthropy. She shares the University of Guelph’s commitment to excellence in veterinary health care and research — values that have helped shape the evolution of the University for over 150 years. A member of the campaign cabinet for the University’s Better Planet Project, she recently established the Lorraine Stubbs Equine Fund, creating a legacy of support for rural conservation and the health and well-being of competitive horses.

Keep up to date on the latest research news and announcements by checking the OVC Research website.

NSERC RTI program 2015 competition

The NSERC Research Tools & Instruments (RTI) grants foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capacity of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering by supporting the purchase of research equipment and installations. RTI grants are one-year awards that assist buying or developing research equipment that cost more than $7,000. RTI are divided into three categories:

Category 1: $7,001 to $150,000 available for all disciplines that come under the Evaluation Groups;

Category 2: $150,001 to $325,000 (Subatomic Physics only); and

Category 3: more than $325,000(Subatomic Physics only).

Please note that NSERC continues to use its current on-line system (not the new Research Portal) for the RTI Program (using Forms 100 and 101).

For more information, visit the U of G Office of Research website and refer to NSERC’s program guidelines.

Deadline is Aug. 1 for NSERC Notification of Intent (NOI)

NSERC has announced the start of another competition cycle. Researchers who intend to apply for a Discovery Grant in the 2015 competition must submit a Notification of Intent to Apply (NOI) by the deadline date of Aug. 1 by 8 p.m. NSERC will not accept any NOIs after the deadline. The NOI is mandatory when applying for a Discovery Grant. Applicants who do not submit an NOI by the deadline cannot submit a full application later in the fall.

If you do not intend to apply this year, please let NSERC know by sending an email, before August 1, 2014 to coord@nserc-crsng.gc.ca , with your name, department and institution name.

For details, see the announcement on the U of G Office of Research website.

Connect with NSERC: community engagement visits

NSERC has begun another round of community engagement visits to provide researchers, students, professors, administrators and other stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about some recent programs and policy development.

In addition to the engagement visits, NSERC is hosting dedicated webinars to walk participants through the Research Portal and the NSERC Common CV, and to provide practical tips for using the new systems.

The next webinar is June 17 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. See the Office of Research announcement for details on how to participate.

The webinars serve as a platform for the community to ask questions and seek more information from some of NSERC’s grants and scholarships experts.  Some of the topics include: 

Federal Budget 2014

Update on the Allocation of Discovery Grants Budget Among Evaluation Groups

Eligibility and Appeals Processes

Common CV & New Research Portal

Women in Science and Engineering

Update on Scholarships and Fellowships programs

The daughter of an OVC graduate who died in 2013 has penned a moving Father’s Day tribute to her father.

In an essay published last week on the Globe andMail’s Facts and Arguments page, Lynn Bauman-Milner writes about the “magic” of childhood summers spent travelling the backroads of rural southwestern Ontario with her dad, Dr. Murrel Bauman.

Read the story here.

Dr. Bauman was an OVC ’61 graduate whose commitment and dedication to clients was well recognized throughout many years of practice. He died last June at the age of 84. 

The founder of Eldale Veterinary Clinic, he had served the Elmira community for 48 years as a highly respected large animal veterinarian whose practice grew to include 10 veterinarians and served generations of farm families.  In 2009, he was the inaugural recipient of the Veterinary Service Award from the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners (OABP).

OVC faculty and staff are reminded that a community meeting tomorrow will provide an update on the College budget.

All members of the OVC community are encouraged to attend the meeting that will discuss the overall budget including the OVC Health Sciences Centre.

The meeting will take place Tuesday, June 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 1800 of the Pathobiology / AHL building.

This is your opportunity to participate as a contributing member of the OVC community. There will be an opportunity for questions and constructive feedback after the presentation.  

Elizabeth Stone and Stephanie Nykamp will make presentations followed by a question period.   We look forward to your contribution as to how we can all face both the challenges and opportunities in the upcoming year.

Alumni Weekend is coming up and tour guides are still needed to help showcase OVC on June 21.

In particular, volunteers are needed for the afternoon tours of the Mona Campbell Centre for Animal Cancer starting at 3:30 p.m.

There will also be tours of the main building and Smith Lane Animal Hospital (Primary Healthcare Centre).

Scripts will be provided as well as tour routes.

Your help is appreciated! If you are interested, please contact Elizabeth Lowenger at  lowenger@uoguelph.ca.

This year’s Alumni Weekend celebrations will mark the University of Guelph’s 50^th anniversary. Events include the return of the Conversat Ball after a hiatus of nearly 40 years, a family picnic at Creelman Hall, the 140th anniversary open house of the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), the unveiling of a Gryphon statue, and 38 reunions planned for various classes and groups.

For more information, see the news release and detailed schedule on the U of G Alumni website.

The University of Guelph’s state-of-the-art science complex will now be called the Summerlee Science Complex in honour of Alastair Summerlee, U of G’s longest-serving president.

The announcement was made Friday during a campus-wide tribute and farewell to Summerlee, whose 11-year term as president will end June 30. Hundreds of current and former faculty, administrators, students and staff attended the event, along with board members, government ministers, elected officials and members of the Guelph community.

Also unveiled Friday was the Alastair Summerlee Scholarship in Civil Society. The $15,000 award will be given annually to a graduate student conducting international fieldwork aimed at changing lives. It’s provided by a $500,000 endowment made possible by donors.

For more, see the U of G news release and watch the video tribute that features personal reflections of Summerlee’s family, friends, students and colleagues including former OVC dean Ole Nielsen.

Members of the community are also invited to leave their own thoughts on the Message for Alastair blog.

The Ontario Veterinary College’s Class of 2014 was urged to “go forth and do great things” at Friday’s convocation ceremony.

“You are joining the best profession in the world at a time when your skills are sorely needed,” Dr. Tracey McNamara, who was presented with an honorary degree at the ceremony, told the graduating class.

Watch the entire convocation ceremony here, as well as a surprise musical tribute to University of Guelph president Alastair Summerlee. Friday’s ceremony was the last of Summerlee’s 11-year term as president.

Now a professor at the Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Veterinary Medicine in Pomona, Calif., McNamara is best known for her work in uncovering the outbreak of West Nile virus in New York State in 1999. McNamara discovered that the deaths of the wild crows and captive birds at the Bronx and Queens zoos were related to the human cases of encephalitis being diagnosed across New York.  

She told the class that the West Nile virus story was a validation and illustration of the power a veterinary education. It also shows that collaboration between among veterinary and human health professionals and government agencies is essential to protect the public against outbreaks of zoonotic disease.

“Ultimately, West Nile forced agencies and disciplines to work together for the first time, and it was not easy,” she said, adding that things have changed since 1999 as agencies and officials have adopted the “one health” approach.

“Be proud of what you are. Be proud of being a veterinarian. Never lose sight of the fact that you have unique skills,” she said, urging graduates to embrace the broader responsibilities that come with a veterinary licence.

“You are limited only by your imagination, so now go forth and do great things.”

In her address to the class, OVC dean Elizabeth Stone reflected on the meaning of the veterinary oath and urged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning in whatever capacity they choose to serve society.

“The public has ever increasing expectations of the abilities of veterinarians,” she said. “You will learn from your clients and your patients, and be humbled by these lessons. Most importantly, lifelong learning is essential in order to be able to retain your joy in being a veterinarian. If you find yourself bored or disillusioned, follow your dreams in a new direction. The possibilities are endless.”

Summerlee talked about what it means to be a veterinarian, an OVC graduate, and a U of Guelph gryphon.

“You have to be critical, aware, and caring citizens,” he said. “You have to be the kind of people who can use information to generate knowledge and wisdom. You have to be the people who care about the planet and the people on it.”

“Go out and take on the world. Because we really need you.”

Lindsay Oxby is one of the student veterinarians completing an externship at Heartland Veterinary Services this summer.

A vital component of training for student veterinarians is hands-on, real-world opportunities.

Each summer, DVM students from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) have an opportunity to practice the diagnostic and technical skills they’ve learned, both in a clinical setting and on farms, through practical training at veterinary clinics. 

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Ministry of Rural Affairs (OMAF and MRA), students must complete this eight-week Externship Course between third and fourth year in a rural (companion and food animal or companion and equine) practice.

“We couldn’t provide this course without the veterinary practices – the veterinarians, technicians and their staff — that provide their time and expertise to OVC students during their Externship Course.  It is invaluable,” says Dr. John Tait, externship co-ordinator.

“It not only helps students transition from the academic environment to the hands-on world of veterinary medicine,” says Tait, “it gives them an opportunity to be part of a team providing animal care to the public, to apply the skills they’ve learned, refine their communication, technical and problem-solving skills.”

The Externship Course started in the mid-1980s to provide practical experience to DVM students entering their final year. This year, close to 70veterinary practices are hosting 118 students and more than 40 of the practices have been involved for over 20 years. Their support is critical — not only do practitioners provide their expertise, they evaluate the students’ clinical, diagnostic and communication skills covering a set list of criteria.

Ask any of the veterinarians involved and you’ll hear similar comments – they love hosting the DVM students, their enthusiasm and their knowledge of new research and techniques. They also remember being students themselves and how important this hands-on training was to their careers.

“It is a reminder for me that the vet degree is only the beginning of our education,” says Dr. Aaryn Clark, Markdale Veterinary Services, Markdale, Ont.  “The real learning is on us once we graduate. The enthusiasm that students bring is infectious.  The cases and procedures we all take for granted are brought to life again. Students make me reflect and recognize how I’ve developed since my formal education years and I am happy to pass on a few tricks that I have learned along the journey with the hope that I can help them professionally and personally in some lasting way.” 

“Most of the vets at the clinic have benefitted from an incredible externship experience themselves that helped to shape the way they now practice,” says Dr. Jamie Hobson, Eldale Vet Clinic in Elmira.  “We recognize the importance of students getting that real-life experience and of developing mentor relationships with Ontario practitioners. We also appreciate that these future practitioners are coming out with new knowledge that they can teach us.”

That sentiment is echoed by Dr. Jim Mantle, Lindsay Animal Clinic: “An added benefit is the discussions we are able to have with students on their perspective of the profession and the newest teachings on a wide variety of topics.  I feel the experience is ‘win-win’ for both the student and the host practice.”

Be sure to follow five of OVC’s externship students as they blog about their experiences at www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/externship.

And see below for more comments from some of the clinics that have been participating in the Externship Course for more than 20 years:

Brooklin Veterinary Hospital, Brooklin

“We enjoy having the externship students. Many of us are OVC grads ourselves and understand how valuable the program is. As well, we also get great personal satisfaction in mentoring these students as new members of the profession.”

Cobden Animal Centre, Cobden

“Externships are invaluable in exposing veterinary students to the real day-to-day working world of veterinary clinics and help prepare them for the transition from student to working professional.”

Dundas Animal Hospital, Dundas

“We like to give back to the profession and also make sure people get the experience they need.”

Durham Veterinary Clinic, Durham

“I’ve always thought that it was every clinic’s responsibility to give back by providing practical experience to the next generation of veterinary practitioners.” Dr. Kent Charlton

Fenelon Animal Clinic , Fenelon Falls

“Participating in the OVC DVM Externship Course has been a pleasure over the years, as a way to support great future veterinarians. It is a great way for them to get hands-on experience and for us to learn new ideas and stay fresh and to enjoy and refresh our enthusiasm for this terrific career. We always look forward to sharing our spring with the students.” Dr. K. Kelly

Heartland Animal Hospital and Heartland Veterinary Services, Drayton, Listowel, Mount Forest, Ontario

“This hands-on training for veterinarians is huge. It’s our way of giving back to the students, but we also take seriously training the next group of vets.”

Kirkton Veterinary Clinic, Kirkton

“We participate in the OVC externship program to give students looking for experience in large animal medicine a full understanding, not only of the medicine and surgery, but also the daily routines of a rural practice servicing a mix of species.” Dr. Reg Clinton

Main Street Animal Hospital, Cambridge

“We pride ourselves in contributing to educational extension of learning through the externship course.”

New Hamburg Veterinary Services, New Hamburg

“We do it to pay it forward. Everyone here went through the program and we want to help the next generation.”

North Simcoe Veterinary Services, Midland

“We’ve hosted dozens of students over the years, with as many as four in a summer. A number of externship students have worked with North Simcoe Veterinary Services over the years, with two currently on staff.”  Dr. Joel Rumney

Paris Veterinary Clinic, Paris, Ont.

“Giving back is very important at Paris Veterinary Clinic.  We are happy to help with the education of future veterinarians.”

Perth Veterinary Clinic, Perth
“We enjoy having a student each year. Their enthusiasm and current knowledge base are appreciated.” Dr. Scott Robertson

Port Perry Veterinary Services, Port Perry

“We participate in the program because we were all students once and we recognize the importance of seeing clinical practice to gain valuable experience that will help them in their first years as veterinarians.”

Slate River Veterinary Services, Neebing

“We believe that hands-on experience is very important in expanding a veterinary student’s knowledge base. It provides students with cases and circumstances they might not see or experience otherwise prior to graduating. While it is a very large commitment on the part of the hosting clinic, the rewards of paying it forward and helping to shape the future of the profession is very rewarding.”

Springer Animal Hospital, Sturgeon Falls

“The primary reason we highly value the Externship opportunity is for the practical skills the student veterinarians get by being in the field.  We also like to convert as many as possible to consider large animal practice.” Chris Wielusiewicz  

Temiskaming Veterinary Services, New Liskeard

“They introduce new ideas and come up with tough questions which keep us on our toes. We enjoy working as a team with the students and it is rewarding to see how their surgery skills and diagnostics improve during the externship.” Dr. Connie Dancho

It will continue to be noisy around the Companion Animal Hospital (Small Animal Clinic) this week with excavation continuing outside with hammer drills, jackhammers and saw cutting throughout the day, along with heavy equipment and truck traffic into the construction site. As well, work on the foundation footings will begin.

Regular updates will continue to be provided through OVC Bulletin, on the HSC News and Events page at www.ovchsc.ca/news and on the bulletin board near the Sunken Lounge.

One of the great grey owls examined by OVC veterinarians earlier this year at the Owl Foundation rehabilitation centre in Vineland, Ont.

OVC research is expanding baseline medical knowledge of iconic birds of prey found in North America’s boreal forests and arctic regions.

Earlier this year, a team of OVC researchers teamed up with the Owl Foundation rehabilitation centre in Vineland, Ont. to study the eyes of great grey owls as well as snowy owls. The group included Drs. Chantale Pinard, Stephanie Nykamp, Hugues Beaufrère, and intern Sarah Wills.

The researchers examined the eyes of 23 captive great grey owls and 19 snowy owls. Each bird was given a non-invasive ophthalmologic examination including reflexes, slit lamp biomicroscopy, tear production, intraocular pressure, corneal measurements and ultrasound assessment.

The study is the first to document ocular findings in great grey owls. The group’s initial findings are reported in a research poster that won the best poster at the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists Congress held May 15-18 in London.

“This was a tremendous opportunity and the people at the Owl Foundation were very accommodating and great to work with,” said Pinard, a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist in the Department of Clinical Studies.

“It was extremely interesting for me because we were dealing with an iconic avian species with very large, interesting eyes, and generating new findings that have never been reported in the literature.”

Great greys are the largest owl in North America; however, their large head, long tail and fluffy feathers mask a body that is lighter than most other large owls. They are found in forested habitats from Alaska to parts of the Lower 48 states, Ontario and Quebec.

Each year, many great grey owls are brought to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres where they are treated for a variety of health issues including eye-related problems. Because their eyes are so large — taking up most of the space in their skulls — they are highly susceptible to trauma and manifesting symptoms of systemic infectious diseases.

The study — which was expanded into an intern research project for Wills — was initiated by Beaufrère, chief of the OVC Health Sciences Centre Avian and Exotic Medicine Service, through his interest in birds of prey and contacts with the Owl Foundation. The findings are important because northern owls are not well studied compared to the more widespread temperate-zone species such as screech owls and barn owls, Beaufrère said.

“The goal of the study was to collect baseline data of what is normal in these owls,” he said. “Establishing reference values for ocular findings will help wildlife and zoo veterinarians interpret test results, diagnose and treat eye diseases and trauma in the birds that they see.”

Beaufrère also aims to answer the “what is normal?” question with respect to owls’ blood chemistry. In collaboration with Dr. Melanie Ammersbach, a PhD candidate in the Department of Pathobiology, Beaufrère recently completed the largest study to date of normal hematologic parameters in birds of prey. The research team analyzed the biochemical components of blood samples taken from 276 owls — from 13 species including five types of boreal owls — in Canada and France. Results of the study, sponsored by Abaxis Canada, will be published soon in the journal Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

“Quite a lot is known about other birds of prey such as falcons and eagles, but owls have a completely different lifestyle and some unique physiological features,” said Beaufrère.

“In many areas across their range, owls are under pressure and they face many health challenges including injuries related to human activities, hunger and competition for space, predation, parasites and infectious diseases such as West Nile virus. By establishing baseline parameters for healthy owls, we can help zoological institutions and organizations like the Owl Foundation with their breeding, rehabilitation and re-introduction programs that are essential to the long-term survival of these magnificent birds.”

A snowy owl gets an eye exam. 

From treating dogs in Belize infested with beefworms, to tracking and tranquilizing radio-collared lions in Uganda, the summer of 2014 is shaping up to be one to remember for a group of OVC student veterinarians.

The Global Vets 2014 team.

As part of the Global Vets program, five teams of students have begun arriving at their initial destinations in Africa, Central America and Thailand where they will contribute to a variety of projects in animal, environmental and public health this summer.

“Global Vets is student run, meaning we are responsible for organizing our own itineraries using advice from previous participants of the program,” says Dan Katz, one of the 16 students participating in Global Vets this year and 2014 Global Vets co-President. “This year we have three groups going to Thailand, one to Africa and one to Central America.”

The students will be blogging about their experiences throughout the summer. Check out their first posts here.

Katz, who represented the 2014 Global Vets team with “talk local” on Rogers TV earlier this year, will be traveling to Belize, Guatemala and Ecuador this summer along with Laura Tindal. There they’ll work with a variety of different organizations including a local wildlife rehabilitation group to learn more about issues affecting Central American ecosystems and the animal trafficking trade. In Guatemala, the team is excited to work with AYUDA, an organization that brings veterinary care, wellness clinics, and pet education to isolated areas that would otherwise go without.

DVM students can apply for Global Vets in the fall of their second year.  The program offers student veterinarians a unique opportunity to investigate animal health in developing countries. Participants are responsible for developing an itinerary for their project, taking into account which organizations and shelters have a need, making contacts in their host country and raising sponsorship and awareness for their project. They then participate in selecting and mentoring the next year’s Global Vets team.

“Global Vets has built a reputation and its name speaks for itself,” says Adam Kleinberg, who heads to Thailand this summer. “We bring our knowledge as student veterinarians in hopes of making a lasting impact in the local community, but we are also exposed to the issues that veterinarians face abroad and are immersed in the religion and rich culture in each of these incredible countries.  It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and one that OVC grads carry with them throughout their careers as veterinarians.”

While in Thailand, Kleinberg, along with Phil Levis and Michael Kwan, will spend some time at Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, assisting with the general husbandry and rehabilitation of rescued elephants that have been subjected to abuse within the country’s infamous animal entertainment industry. A second project will involve the Koh Samui Dog and Cat Rescue where the group will focus on preventative care and sterilization to assist with the island’s population of sick and feral animals.

Visit globalvets.ca for more information.

Discover Vet School fundraiser always a hit

A major fundraiser for the Global Vet program is Discover Vet School, which completed its fifth run in March.

In addition to raising funds for the Global Vet group, the event is also a real draw for future veterinary students and those who want to learn more about veterinary medicine. “There were 150 participants in Discover Vet School this year,” says Dan Katz, this year’s Global Vets co-president.

There are a variety of people who attend the four-week program, from those interested in animals or who are involved in the industry to  students planning to pursue veterinary medicine and apply to OVC in the near future, adds Adam Kleinberg, a second-year DVM student who was involved in planning this year’s Global Vets program.

This was the third year that Debbie Miller has attended the school, and she probably will be back next year.  While applying to veterinary school isn’t in her future, she’s enthusiastic about the program and the students and faculty who make it happen. 

“I like to support the students and I learn from it,” says Miller, who has a hobby farm near Elora.  “The profs like what they teach and they explain things simply. I learn things that help me take care of my horses.” 

Kayla Scott, a second-year Animal Biology student in the Ontario Agricultural College, was also back at Discover Vet School for a third year and plans to return in 2015.

While the lectures are a definite hit, this year’s addition of a lab night earned rave reviews. While Miller knew horses could lock their legs allowing them to sleep standing up, she now understands they do it via a sliding and locking mechanism that is an inherent feature of the equine patella, thanks to lab night where participants got a better understanding of horse anatomy.

“Lab night was a huge success and this year’s DVS participants really enjoyed it,” adds Kleinberg. Students work to change the content each year.  In addition to lab night in parasitology and anatomy, this year’s event featured diagnostic imaging, wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary neurology, farm animal medicine and reproduction, and integrative medicine and rehabilitation.

Participants in the annual Discover Vet School program enjoy a variety of lectures on key topics in animal health and welfare.

Two OVC professors are among three University of Guelph researchers included on the Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher list.

Dr. Todd Duffield and University professor emeritus Ken Leslie, members of the Department of Population Medicine’s renowned team of dairy health researchers, were named to the list of over 3,000 leading scientists in diverse disciplines whose publications are among the top 1% most cited in their field.

For more about the Thomson Reuters list, including methodology details, see the website.

The OVC Health Sciences Centre (HSC) has changed the method used to fax patient Discharge Summaries.

Communication with referring veterinarians is very important to OVC HSC, and continuous improvement in this area is a key objective.  The new faxing method facilitates getting the discharge summary to the clinic within minutes of it being finalized.  Since the change, 70 per cent of the reports were sent by the new method within five minutes, with over 80 per cent in 10 minutes and the bulk (90 per cent) out to the clinics within the hour.  As well, Discharge Summaries can now be easily sent overnight, during weekends and statutory holidays.

Sending reports directly using the new method has had the additional benefit of improving the quality of the transmitted text, and clinics have reported the readability of faxed Discharge Summaries has indeed improved.

If you have any feedback on this change, please contact the HSC at ovchsc@uoguelph.ca.

The next time you pick up after your dog, don’t forget to wash your hands. Dogs can carry harmful bacteria, such as Salmonella and Campylobacter, which can cause illness in humans, says Erin Leonard. A PhD graduate in Population Medicine, she recently completed her thesis on “Zoonotic Enteric Bacteria in Pet Dogs.”

“We don’t want people to be scared of dogs,” she says. “We just want them to practise good hygiene.” That includes washing your hands after handling dog feces and after preparing dog food that contains raw meat.

Salmonella and Campylobacter can cause gastrointestinal infections in humans. People with chronic diseases or compromised immune systems are at greater risk of developing these infections and related complications. Children under five, people over 65 and pregnant women are also more susceptible to infection.

More than 20 per cent of the dogs Leonard tested shed Salmonella in their feces. The bacteria can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in humans; severe cases can cause septicemia, which requires hospitalization.

For more, see the story in At Guelph.

Dr. Erin Leonard

The veterinary community is mourning the loss of the former dean of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Alex Livingston, who served dean of WCVM dean from 1992 to 2002, died on June 7 at the age of 74.

Livingston was an accomplished educational leader and researcher who was broadly recognized for his contributions in the areas of animal pain, animal welfare and analgesic research.

For more, see the obituary. 

Genome Canada has launched a Request for Applications (RFA) for large-scale research projects that focus on the application of genomics in the area of agri-food and fisheries and aquaculture.

For the latest on this and other funding opportunities, see the OVC Research website.

Sponsor(s): Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI)

Program: 2014 Large Scale Applied Research Project Competition: Genomics and Feeding the Future

Description: The competition will be a partnership with Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF). This competition aims to support projects focused on using genomic approaches to address challenges and opportunities related to global food safety, security and sustainable production, and thereby contribute to the Canadian bioeconomy and the well-being of Canadians.

Note that in this competition Genome Canada will place strong emphasis on the potential ability of the proposed research to lead to benefits for Canada (with an emphasis on economic benefits)

Eligibility:

Genome Canada funds can be awarded to researchers and scholars affiliated with the following institutions and organizations:

• Canadian post-secondary organizations and their affiliated institutions including hospitals and research institutes;
• Canadian non-federal government departments or agencies and not-for-profit organizations (including community or charitable organizations) with an explicit research or knowledge-translation mandate.

Research teams may include as co-applicants international, private sector (for-profit organizations), or federal laboratory scientists. However, Genome Canada funding is restricted to work performed within Genome Canada eligible institutions, i.e., Genome Canada will not support research to be undertaken outside Canada, in for-profit organizations or in federal laboratories, except for costs incurred based on a reasonable fee-for-service arrangement or contract.

Project Duration: Up to 4 years/project

Funding availability:

• There is up to $30 million available for this competition through Genome Canada with an additional $5 million available from Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF).
• At least 60% of the requested funding for eligible costs for each project must be obtained through co-funding from other sources.

Maximum project value: Genome Canada will invest a minimum of $600,000 to a maximum of $3.3 million in an individual project (i.e., with the maximum investment from Genome Canada, plus the required co-funding, a total investment of more than $10 million per project is possible.

Indirect costs: No indirect costs are required on the amount requested from the Funders; however, indirect costs may apply on amounts requested from sponsors/partners (sources of co-funding).

 How to apply:  The Registration Form and Pre-Application Form, and required accompanying forms, are available on the OGI website (Full Application Form available soon). Please review the Request for Applications and Guidelines for Funding Research Projects prior to preparing your application packages for submission at the various stages of this competition.

Please submit an OR-5 Form together with the submission of the draft registration package. If significant changes are made to the project proposal throughout the competition stages, a revised OR-5 Form may be requested. Note: all stages are mandatory.

DRAFT REGISTRATION - INTERNAL DEADLINE to Office of Research Services: Please submit your completed Registration Form and Suggested Reviewers Appendix, to research.services@uoguelph.ca by June 30, 2014.

DRAFT REGISTRATION - EXTERNAL DEADLINE to OGI: July 7, 2014.

Special Note on Draft Registration: In order to better prepare the projects being submitted from Ontario for this competition, the Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) will complete a due diligence review of the applications prior to submission to Genome Canada. Please note to accommodate this process that the deadlines for OGI differ from those in the official RFA from Genome Canada. All applicants will receive feedback on their applications including gaps and areas for improvement.

FINAL REGISTRATION - INTERNAL DEADLINE to Office of Research Services: Please submit your completed Registration Form and Suggested Reviewers Appendix, to research.services@uoguelph.ca by July 28, 2014.

FINAL REGISTRATION - EXTERNAL DEADLINE to OGI: August 11, 2014. OGI will submit eligible Registrations to Genome Canada by August 18, 2014.

PRE-APPLICATION - INTERNAL DEADLINE to Office of Research Services: Please submit your completed Pre-Application Form and Pre-Application Summary Budget and Co-funding Appendix (Available soon) to research.services@uoguelph.ca by September 3, 2014.

PRE-APPLICATION - EXTERNAL DEADLINE to OGI: September 17, 2014. OGI will submit Pre-Applications to Genome Canada on November 17, 2014.

*Applicants will be notified of the results in late January 2015; successful applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

FULL APPLICATION - INTERNAL DEADLINE to Office of Research Services: Please submit your completed Full Application Form to research.services@uoguelph.ca by February 27, 2015.

FULL APPLICATION - EXTERNAL DEADLINE to OGI: March 13, 2015. OGI will submit Full Applications to Genome Canada on April 13, 2015.

*Notification of Award in late June 2015.

Information for co-applicants: If you need to meet a deadline set by the lead institution for this opportunity, please ensure that you provide the Office of Research with at least 10 days in advance of the lead institution’s deadline to review the application, or your proposed component of the project. Please be in touch with the Office of Research (contact information below) ahead of the deadline if it looks like it will be difficult for you to submit all the required documentation on time (i.e. budget, proposal, OR-5 Form).

For questions, please contact:

Alison Symington

Vice President, Research and Corporate Development

Ontario Genomics Institute

Phone: 416-673-6594

E-mail: asymington@ontariogenomics.ca

-       OR            -

Margaret Kirnbauer
Research Contracts Manager

University of Guelph
Phone: 519-824-4120 ext. 54059
E-mail: mkirnbau@uoguelph.ca

The OVC Alumni Association honoured three outstanding veterinarians for their contributions to the profession, their alma mater and their communities. From left to right: Dr. Brad Hanna, president of the OVC AA; Dr. Bert Mitchell; Dr. Lynn Helwig; Dr. Michelle Lem; Dr. Elizabeth Stone, OVC dean.

A man whose long commitment to public service and veterinary medicine helped ensure a safer food supply and healthier animals was honoured by the OVC Alumni Association (OVC AA) on Saturday.

Dr. Bert Mitchell OVC ’64 received the Distinguished Alumnus Award during the association’s annual general meeting on June 21. The OVCAA also presented the Young Alumnus Award to Dr. Michelle Lem and the Alumni Volunteer Award to Dr. Lynn Helwig.

The AGM and awards were among of the highlights for OVC graduates who took part in Alumni Weekend 2014 festivities, which this year marked the 50^th anniversary of the University of Guelph. Other events included the Conversat ball and the unveiling of a bronzed Gryphon statue that now guards the entrance to the campus at Gordon Street and Stone Road. There were also tours of OVC including the C.A.V. Barker Museum of Canadian Veterinary History, Mona Campbell Centre for Animal Cancer and the Smith Lane Animal Hospital.

The Gryphon sculpture was first conceived by the OVC Class of ‘56, with alumnus Bob Liptrap and former OVC dean Ole Nielsen playing a lead role in pushing the project. The class raised $25,000 for the statue.

In her welcoming remarks, Dr. Elizabeth Stone, OVC dean, included a brief tribute to Dr. Alastair Summerlee, who was attending his final Alumni Weekend as University president.

“Alastair has done a tremendous amount for the College,” said Stone, who presented a gift from OVC to Summerlee for his contributions that have “changed the future of veterinary education.”

Mitchell’s distinguished career spanned the private and public sectors, and he has been a passionate advocate for the University of Guelph for many years. Known as a skilled and conscientious problem solver, his contributions made an important impact on public policy in Canada and the United States.

He held variety of research and management positions over 18 years at Ralston Purina in St. Louis, Mo. He returned to Canada in 1982 as the director of the Bureau of Veterinary Drugs, where he played key roles in enhancing the regulation of products used to treat bovine mastitis, banning use of the antibiotic chloramphenicol in food animals, and promoting partnerships between governments and producer groups.

In 1988, he moved on to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) where he served in senior positions related to surveillance and compliance. There he helped write the rules and regulations to prevent the spread of bovine spongiform encephalitis (BSE) in cattle.

In accepting the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Mitchell thanked family and friends for their support over the years and shared the credit for his achievements in public health with the “hundreds” of veterinarians, scientists and government officials who contributed to those initiatives.

“None would have succeeded without this support,” said Mitchell, who to mark the occasion wore a convocation gown and hood worn by a member of the last class of veterinarians to graduate from the University of Toronto. The garments were supplied by his OVC ’64 classmate, Dr. Ed McCall.

Dr. Michelle Lem, OVC ’01 and MSc ’12, Young Alumnus Award for her contributions to improving animal health and welfare. She is the founder and director of Community Veterinary Outreach, a registered charity that provides free preventive veterinary care for animals of the homeless and marginally housed people.

Launched in Ottawa, the program has been successfully reproduced in other communities including Hamilton, Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo. An OVC 2001 graduate, Lem completed her MSc in 2012 studying the effects of pet ownership on at-risk youths.

Dr. Lynn Helwig OVC ’54 received the Alumni Volunteer award for his tireless service to many professional and community organizations and his upbeat presence on the OVC AA board of directors for many years.

Describing Helwig, Dr. Roger Thomson said, “he never needed to be front and centre, and he was always enthusiastic about being part of the University community.”

“I’ve always held OVC in my heart,” Helwig said.

For more, see the OVC Alumni Weekend photo album.

Summer is here and for pet owners that means it’s also tick season.

An OVC professor has been in the news recently commenting on the increasing numbers of deer ticks in Ontario and rising concerns about Lyme disease.

Dr. Andrew Peregrine, a parasitologist in the Department of Pathobiology, was interviewed by CTV News last week and earlier this month by the Sarnia Journal newspaper.

Lyme disease is a serious illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which can be spread through the bite of blacklegged (deer) ticks. The ticks were once virtually unknown in southern Ontario but are spreading northward due to the effects of climate change, rising deer populations and migratory birds. Deer ticks have become well established in areas along the Lake Erie shore such as Long Point and Turkey Point parks.

Peregrine told CTV that in most parts of Ontario, the risk is low and most ticks don’t carry Lyme disease. But in Long Point it is estimated that 60 per cent of the deer tick population is infected with Lyme disease.

For more, see the stories on the CTV news and Sarnia Journal websites.