"We believe this will mark the great beginning to expand this endowment fund to its intended target of $2 million or more," said Dr. Roman Ganta, professor of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology and director of the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases.

"We sincerely appreciate Drs. Severson and Aron for their generous gifts and valuing the importance of the center's mission goals," Dr. Ganta said. "The endowment will allow us to further advance knowledge on vector-borne diseases affecting companion and agricultural animals and humans."

Dr. Ganta said the center's foundation and endowment funds continue helping promote its visibility to the highest level and aid in developing new projects to tackle important emerging vector-borne diseases affecting animal and human health.

The endowment funds will help the center prepare the future generation of scientists with high-level expertise to investigate vector-borne diseases, offer continuing education workshops, and develop resources such as a repository to maintain culture stocks of vector-borne pathogens, Dr. Ganta said.

"Dr. Ganta is a visionary scientist with three decades of research on vector-borne diseases," Severson said. "He has the expertise required to progress from research to working vaccine. It gives me great pleasure to support the work of the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases and its work to reduce the incidence of vector-borne disease and potentially eliminate them."

Dr. Aron said the center's work on vector-borne diseases is well-recognized.

"With climate change and with urban areas increasingly encroaching on animal habitats, vector-borne diseases will be a coming public health crisis, cause economic burden to cattle industry and emotional burden to pet owners," Dr. Aron said. "The Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases is at the forefront of investigating several important tick-borne diseases. I am delighted to offer my support for the active research pursued by Roman at the center."

The Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases is an interdisciplinary research center with a mission to combat vector-borne diseases. Established in 2015, its goals are to build an internationally recognized program in mitigating emerging threats of vector-borne diseases. During the last six years, the center has expanded research on various tick-borne diseases.

"Tick-borne diseases are a never-ending challenge for veterinary and human health," said Dr. Bonnie Rush, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dr. Ganta has demonstrated tireless commitment to solving specific issues with transferable solutions. Through the development of the endowment fund, the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases will continue to find more ways to control these important diseases in a foreseeable future."

Tick-borne diseases are among the most common vector-borne illnesses in the United States. Of these, rickettsial diseases caused by Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Rickettsiaspecies pathogens are a growing concern in the U.S. and in many parts of the world. The diseases impact the health of people, companion and agricultural animals.

"Given the steady increase in numbers of ticks in close proximity to people and their ability to feed on a wide range of hosts, pathogens transmitted by ticks continue to impact the health of various vertebrate hosts," Dr. Ganta said. "Vaccination to confer protection is one of the most effective means of controlling diseases. The center has expanded vaccine studies to address several tick-borne diseases of people, dogs and cattle, including anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever."

Since the center's establishment, Dr. Ganta has generated $9.56 million in competitive research grant support, with the lion's share — $8 million — coming from the National Institutes of Health.

For more information on the Center of Excellence for Vector-Borne Diseases endowment fund, visit givecampus.com/campaigns/17493/donations/new or contact Emilie Fink, emilief@ksufoundation.org, at the KSU Foundation.

The SPARK and SPRINTS programs will help encourage students in underserved communites to become veterinarians.

SPARK seeks to create direct and purposeful connections between aspiring veterinarians and veterinary practices in rural communities throughout Kansas. As a daylong immersive experience, SPARK provides participants with the opportunity to shadow veterinarians in rural communities and gain exposure to the demands and rewards of rural veterinary practice. The goal of the program is to generate long-term interest in a career in rural veterinary medicine. Additionally, SPARK participants will engage in educational sessions to learn how to garner the necessary financial resources to attend a professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, as well as how to create a competitive application for a selective Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program.

Ideal applicants for the SPARK program are those who intend to apply for admission to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program during the 2021-2022 application cycle and are within five years of attaining a veterinary medicine degree. Applicants outside of that criteria are welcome to apply as well. To apply, go to kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6L2r0qVJG39VJMV.

The SPRINTS initiative, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides opportunities for high school and college students who identify as tribal, Native American or Indigenous to gain exposure to veterinary medicine as a potential career path. The initiative encompasses many programs, including sponsoring registration, travel and lodging costs for students to attend Vet Med ROCKS, an annual summer camp hosted by College of Veterinary Medicine students. SPRINTS participants will receive tailored consultations about the required prerequisite coursework and their current high school or transcripts, as well as the application process for acceptance into the College of Veterinary Medicine. They also will receive fee waivers for their supplemental application to the college.

Ideal applicants for the SPRINTS initiative are high school and undergraduate college students, at least 18 years of age, who identify as Indigenous, Native American or tribal, and with a desire to learn more about careers in veterinary medicine. To apply, go to kstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ddolYXno3dPE9jD.

Questions about these programs can be directed to admit@vet.k-state.edu.

It's important to take special precautions for your pets during times of extreme cold.

Even dogs with heavy coats may need to come inside during periods of frigid temperatures. Dr. Nelson recommends keeping dogs with heavy coats in a slightly cooler room or the garage to prevent them from getting too warm and uncomfortable. Short trips inside the house before a long period of cold can give pets a chance to become accustomed to the atmosphere indoors.

Some pets may get nervous and panic while inside. Keeping them in a carrier or crate may help to ease the transition, Dr. Nelson said. If their nervousness is severe, talk with your veterinarian about calming medication.

Make sure pets know their food and water locations, too, when you move them inside. If your pet is not housebroken, Dr. Nelson recommends keeping them on floors that are easily cleaned.

Once inside, pets can be exposed to an environment that contains different hazards than those found outdoors.

"Lilies, dieffenbachia and philodendron are just a few of the indoor plants that can be toxic to pets," Dr. Nelson said. "Take inventory of what plants you have and find out if they are poisonous before bringing pets inside."

Some common items found in the home can be harmful to our furry friends.

"Some human foods, such as chocolate, raisins and onions, can be dangerous to pets," Dr. Nelson said. "Pets also may chew on electrical cords. In addition, candles and potpourri can be hazardous, so keep pets supervised while in the house and take appropriate precautions."

When given the proper care, pets can be comfortable outside during cold weather, Dr. Nelson said.

"An outside pet shelter should not be too big in order to prevent the loss of insulation and heat," she said. "The door should face the south or west to reduce wind gusts. Use clean straw or hay for bedding as blankets tend to get trampled easily and then lose their insulating effect. If your pet will allow it, hang a blanket over the door or use a pet flap to keep out the wind."

For cats, consider a cozy box in a sheltered area, Dr. Nelson said. Straw bedding works great for them as well.

"Outside water bowls should be checked at least twice a day for ice, or better yet, a pet-friendly heated water bowl should be used," Dr. Nelson said. "Outside-dwelling pets also may benefit from an increase in calories through a higher caloric food or feeding more of their regular diet. This will help them maintain body heat."

The age of the pet can make it more susceptible to cold weather, as younger and older pets are more prone to hypothermia and need extra attention. Nelson added that some diseases also can make it harder for pets to adjust to temperature changes.

"Arthritic pets should be treated with extra care as well," Dr. Nelson said. "Keep them indoors in a warm and well-cushioned area. Talk to your veterinarian about pain medications and possible diet changes that may help with this problem."

If you have a short-hair dog, sweaters are a good idea, Dr. Nelson said, preferably ones made out of cotton, fleece or natural fibers. Make sure that the sweater fits well and does not catch the dog's feet or can be easily pulled off. Sweaters with decorations that could be torn off and ingested should be avoided.

Outdoor cats will seek warmth and this sometimes includes near or on a car engine. Dr. Nelson recommends honking the horn on your vehicle or banging on the hood before starting the engine in order to scare off any cats that may be warming themselves.

Pets that walk on sidewalks and driveways run the risk of picking up rock salt, ice or other chemicals on the pads of their feet.

"Rinse off the feet of pets if they have been on salted or chemically treated walkways; do not let them lick it off," Dr. Nelson said. "It is best to try to avoid treated driveways, but if your pet must frequently walking on these surfaces, consider booties."

Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Dr. Nelson said to be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle and consider using products that contain propylene glycol, rather than ethylene glycol, because it is more pet friendly — but still not entirely harmless.

Frostbite can be an issue on the ears, feet and noses of pets. To avoid frostbite do not let your pet out in extreme cold for a long period of time. Chances are that if it is too cold for you to be outside for very long, it's probably too cold for your pet to stay out much longer as well, Dr. Nelson said.

In Memoriam - Recently Departed Alumni

Dr. Richard A Barta, DVM 1968
Jan. 12, 2021
Dr. Elmer George Davis, DVM 1964
Jan. 25, 2021

Dr. John William Forsberg, DVM 1959
Nov. 3, 2020

Dr. Gerald Dean Goetsch, DVM 1945
Jan. 14, 2021

Dr. Robert Glenn Hensleigh, DVM 1986
Jan. 12, 2021

Dr. Joe H Rainman, DVM 1961
Jan. 19, 2021

(click highlighted names for obituary)

Questions about Alumni or CE events?

Tony Ballard
Alumni and Events Coordinator
785-532-4833
tballard@vet.k-state.edu

Sarah Keatley
Event Coordinator
785-532-4528
keatley@vet.k-state.edu