Interim Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush meets with Drs. Jesper Nordengaard, Jolle Kirpensteijn and Omar Farias from Hill’s Pet Nutrition to thank them for lead gift supporting the creation of a new Pet Health & Nutrition Center at the Veterinary Health Center.

“This private-public partnership will enhance our educational capacity in small animal nutrition and client communication, to strengthen the preparation of our graduates for success in private practice. We are grateful to Hill’s for their tremendous generosity and investment in our students,” said Dr. Bonnie Rush, interim dean of the college. “This integrative partnership enhances the educational experience for K-State veterinary students through shared resources and expertise. The new experiential learning environment will strengthen our training program in nutrition and primary care, and will attract student externs from colleges of veterinary medicine across North America.”

“Kansas State is an important partner for Hill's Pet Nutrition,” says Jesper Nordengaard, vice president and general manager, Hill’s US, “as it harbors one of the most important veterinary schools in the Midwest of the US. We are proud to support the Pet Health and Nutrition Center as we believe that it fits seamlessly in our vision to help enrich and lengthen the special relationship between people and their pets.”

“By renovating the space and expanding resources, students will have the opportunity to care for their clients in a private practice environment,” Dr. Rush added. “While pet health faculty will have the capability to operate with more autonomy, specialty services remain available when clients’ needs arise.”

This renovation will create 3,400 square feet of space on the first floor of Mosier Hall for the new Hill’s Pet Health & Nutrition Center. This project will also allow the addition of 5,000 square feet research suite on the second floor.

“We are truly excited and grateful to Hill’s for partnering with us to provide this opportunity to teach primary care skills in a facility more representative of a true companion animal practice,” said Dr. Susan Nelson, clinical professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “The new facility will allow us to be more feline friendly and enhance student training in all areas of primary care, especially in the areas of nutrition, communication, business management, diagnostics and routine surgical procedures.”

“We are honored to support this great initiative, which will put K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine at the forefront of primary care and nutrition education,” said Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, chief professional veterinary officer, Hill’s US. “We look forward to a continued partnership to create a future generation of veterinarians, fully knowledgeable and confident in making nutritional recommendations, every pet, every time.”

A 270-seat contemporary auditorium will be constructed in a new area of the complex. Additional benefits from the renovations, as detailed by Dr. Rush, include: provision of a comprehensive educational experience in small animal nutrition and communication with pet owners; expansion of wellness-training opportunities for students; additional space for routine procedures; better capabilities to serve the wellness needs of small animal clients; dedicated space for communication training and rounds; and dedicated space for nutritional displays and nutrition consultation.

Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. The right nutrition, combined with the devotion of veterinary professionals can transform the lives of pets; and healthier and happier pets can transform the lives of pet parents. Hill’s is dedicated to pioneering research and ground-breaking nutrition for dogs and cats based on a scientific understanding of their specific needs. HILL’s® Prescription Diet® therapeutic pet foods. HILL’s® Science Diet® and HILL’s® Ideal Balance™ wellness pet foods are sold through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more information about Hill's, our products and our nutritional philosophy, visit us at HillsPet.com, HillsVet.com for Facebook, keywords “Hill’s Pet Nutrition.”

Dr. Giselle Cino meets with the current president of SENASCA, Dr. José Carlos Martin Camperchioli.

The award was presented at the society’s annual meeting Nov. 5 in Washington, D.C. Several past K-State clinical pathologists trained by Dr. Stockham attended the ceremony.

Dr. Melinda Wilkerson, adjunct professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology and current chair of pathobiology at St. George’s University in Grenada, nominated Dr. Stockham for the award.

“I have known Dr. Steve Stockham since 1986, when I was a sophomore veterinary student and he was assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU),” Dr. Wilkerson said. “Steve was a committee member for my Masters of Science training at MU. Dr. Stockham mentored me and facilitated an opportunity for me to present my MS studies on afibrinogenemia, to the annual meeting of the ASVCP in Kansas City in 1988. I was fortunate to be a part of the process of recruiting Steve Stockham to Kansas State University in 2001, for I personally benefited from his mentoring and successfully passed the AVCP board exam in clinical pathology in 2003.”

Dr. Wilkerson, who nominated Dr. Stockham, noted there were 10 current and former K-Staters at the ASCVP award ceremony to show their support, including Balaz Szladovits, Brad Galgut, Mehrdad Ameri, Rachael Holicky, Adi Wasserkrug Naor, Mark Morton, Yvonne Wikander.

“Dr. Stockham is an exceptional man, mentor, educator, and clinical pathologist who inspires everyone around him, including pathologists, veterinarians, technicians, residents, interns, and students, to be the best they can be,” said Dr. Mandy Meindel, clinical pathologist for Covance Laboratories Inc., Madison, Wisconsin. She was a clinical pathology resident who trained under Dr. Stockhams’ guidance. “Despite his countless achievements will continue to be an inspiration and guiding influence in veterinary clinical pathology.”

Dr. Stockham earned a bachelor’s degree in 1970 and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1972, both from Kansas State University. He then earned a master’s degree in pathology from Michigan State University. He is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, an honorary member of the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology, and was elected to the “Hall of Fame” of the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology in 2013. He has been a faculty member at Kansas State University for 14 years during which he has been actively engaged in teaching, diagnostic service, research and institutional service. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Stockham has been involved in teaching in many ways including veterinary and graduate student instruction, resident training, curricular changes and faculty development.

Overall Dr. Stockham has 38 years of teaching experience in the veterinary curriculum, with 31 years as a primary instructor and course coordinator. Most of his classroom teaching has been in veterinary clinical pathology courses in which he uses a combination of lectures, case-based discussions and on-line microscopy methods to engage students and promote learning. His instructional activities have led him to receive 25 teaching awards during the past 28 years, such as the prestigious Norden/Pfizer Distinguished Teaching Awards in 1987, 1998, 2012 and 2016; the Bayer Animal Health Teaching Excellence Award in 2005, 2009 and 2013; and the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching in 1994. Dr. Stockham received the 2015 ACVP Educator Award, and in 2016, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges presented him with its Distinguished Teaching Award in Academic Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Stockham retired after 15 years of service to K-State in 2016.

Kansas State University’s Grant Chapman, associate provost for International Programs, and Dr. Du Yuanzhao, general manager/president of Yebio, sign a new memorandum of understanding to fund pre-veterinary tuition and activities for five students. Joining them are Dr. Harry Dickerson, associate dean for research, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health, Kansas State University; Dr. Trevor Ames, dean, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Patrick Gorden, director of Food Supply Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine; Dong Wenchun, vice president, Nanjing Agricultural University ; Wang Ming, vice president, Chinese Veterinary Medical Association; Dr. Lei Wang, manager of the education programs for the U.S.-China Center, Kansas State University; Dr. Fan Gencheng, deputy general manager of Yebio; and Dr. Guo Xuan, director for research and development, Yebio.

The K-State representatives included Grant Chapman, associate provost for International Programs; Dr. Jishu Shi, director of the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health; and Dr. Lei Wang, manager of the education programs for the U.S.-China Center.

The conference was organized by the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health and Nanjing Agricultural University, and was sponsored by the Qingdao Yebio Bioengineering Company and Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, China Ministry of Education.

Representatives also attended the conference from schools that partner with Kansas State University in the U.S.-China Joint DVM Program: Dr. Trevor Ames, dean, University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Patrick Gorden, director of Food Supply Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine; and Dr. Harry Dickerson, associate dean for research, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.

The conference was attended by more than 100 people including deans of 14 Chinese veterinary schools, DVM graduates of the U.S.-China Joint DVM Program, senior executives of Yebio, and faculty and students of the Nanjing Agricultural University.

“The Nanjing Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine has a long history with Kansas State University,” said Dr. Dong Wenchun, vice president, Nanjing Agricultural University. “It will be 100 years next year since Dr. Luo Qingsheng, the first Chinese DVM and the founder of our veterinary school, entered Kansas State University to study veterinary medicine in 1919. It is significant and memorable for our school to be chosen to host this conference.”

The conference held separate morning and afternoon sessions, which were hosted respectively by Dr. Jiang Ping, dean, Nanjing Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Wang Ming, vice president, Chinese Veterinary Medical Association.

The morning session was highlighted by a signing ceremony for a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the U.S.-China Joint DVM Scholarship Program between Kansas State University and Qingdao Yebio. In this MOU, Qingdao Yebio will support the U.S.-China Joint DVM Scholarship Program by funding pre-veterinary tuition and activities for five students.

The U.S.-China Joint DVM Scholarship Program provides for one year of pre-veterinary study at Kansas State University and four years of veterinary study at either K-State or at one of the four partnering schools: University of Minnesota, Iowa State University, University of Georgia and University of California, Davis.

The program was initiated by the U.S.-China Center for Animal Health, China Agricultural University and Chinese Veterinary Medical Association, and has been financially sponsored by the China Scholarship Council, Kansas State University, Zoetis/the International Veterinary Collaboration for China and Banfield Pet Hospital. The U.S.-China Center for Animal Health has been leading the program since it was launched in 2012.

“Kansas State University has a well-advanced, structured and standardized veterinary education system with rich experiences, and has trained numerous DVMs for China,” said Du Yuanzhao, general manager/president of YEBIO. “The Qingdao YEBIO-KSU joint efforts on the DVM program would address the great needs of China by training professional veterinary practitioners, and accelerating the development of veterinary education in China.”

“We value the partnership between the academic and industry, particularly in animal health field as a way serving the great society and the community,” Chapman said.

The afternoon session at the conference featured presentations and discussions on how to efficiently use the U.S.-China Joint DVM Program to promote veterinary education reform in China. Dr. Wang Ming started the conference with a summary of Chinese veterinary education reform in last 10 years.  Dr. Shi reported the history and development of the U.S.-China Joint DVM Program. Dr. Cao Shengbo, dean of the Huazhong Agricultural University College of Veterinary Medicine [that has recruited graduates of the joint DVM program Yi Ding and Yaoqin Shen as associate professors], talked about how to support and greatly make use of DVM graduates in advancing Chinese veterinary education. Dr. Ames presented curricular and educational innovations in U.S. veterinary medical training.

The U.S.-China Joint DVM Program has graduated five DVMs since 2017. All of them have been recruited as associate professors at universities in China following their graduations in the U.S., which is unprecedented in China. The four DVM graduates of from the class of 2017 – Drs. Yaoqin Shen and Yi Ding, associate professors at Huanzhong University; and Drs. Jing Li and Bo Liu, associate professors at China Agricultural University – shared at the conference what they have learned in the U.S. and their teaching experiences in China.

“This conference provides a great opportunity for deans of veterinary schools in the U.S. and China and DVM graduates from our program to share their experiences and thoughts about veterinary education in China, which can be used as guidance for future Chinese veterinary education reform,“ Dr. Shi said. “We are so glad to see graduates of the joint DVM program have already made visible impacts in China.”

Following the conference, Dr. Shi and Dr. Wang interviewed applicants for the pre-veterinary program of the U.S.-China Joint DVM Program, along with Drs. Ames, Gorden and Dickerson. Four students have been selected to enter the program in fall 2019.

Drs. Jishu Shi, Harry Dickerson, Grant Chapman, Patrick Gorden, Trevor Ames and Lei Wang celebrate the progress of the U.S.-China Joint DVM program.

Jessie Schulteis, fourth-year veterinary student, Braxton Butler,second-year veterinary student (circled above), were among a group of students receiving scholarships at the KLA Convention. 

Among the KLA scholarship recipients were two veterinary students from K-State: Braxton Butler, second-year student from Virgil, Kansas, and Jessie Schulteis, fourth-year student from Lincoln, Kansas. Each received a $1,500 Cartridges for Cash (CFC) scholarship from Merck Animal Health and KLF. This award recognizes K-State veterinary school students with a career goal of being a large animal veterinarian.

Kate Rigby, a fourth-year K-State veterinary student from San Diego, California, was one of five students selected nationally for a Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation scholarship. This $5,000 scholarship award recognizes promising veterinary students committed to a career in equine medicine. The scholarship was presented at the 2018 AAEP Convention, Dec. 3 in San Francisco, California.

To be eligible for the Merck Animal Health/AAEP Foundation scholarship program, applicants must be second- or third-year veterinary students dedicated to equine medicine and active within any of the AAEP’s 39 student chapters at colleges of veterinary medicine in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. The scholarships are awarded to students for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals.

“Through our ongoing partnership with the AAEP, we are honored to back standout veterinary students who are passionate about pursuing careers in equine veterinary medicine,” said Craig Barnett, DVM, Merck Animal Health director of equine technical services. “These recipients represent the future of veterinary medicine, and we are confident that they will help us advance the science of healthier animals in the years to come.” 

Rick Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, Dipl. ACVSMR, Certified ISELP, AAEP Foundation Advisory Council chairman, added, “Merck Animal Health continues to serve as a leader in the industry for both veterinarian and student and we are very appreciative. These scholarships underscore the company’s commitment to the veterinary profession, students and the health of horses, especially in a time when students are graduating with excessive educational debt.”

Fourth-year student Kate Rigby holds a big check for $5,000 representing a scholarship she received from Merck and the AAEP Foundation.

Dr. Chuck Dodd tours the SUA dairy farm.

Don't add stress. If your dog isn't much of a people person, an increase in parties and guests coming and going for the holidays can make them nervous or stressed. The best place for your pet is in a back room away from guests, Dr. Nelson said. You may need to speak with your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications if your pet is extremely anxious this time of year.

• Remember as well that it is easy for a pet to slip through an open door when greeting a guest, and an escaped pet could become a lost pet. "This time of year there is a higher potential for pets to get lost if there is snow on the ground," Dr. Nelson said. "Snow covers familiar scents, making it hard for them to find their way home. Make sure your pet is also properly identified with a collar and tags and/or a microchip in case of an escape."

• Don't share food or drinks. You might be planning to indulge in some sweet treats and special meals at holiday parties, but there are some foods that should be off limits for your pet. "Alcohol, caffeinated beverages, yeast dough, and fatty, rich foods should be out of reach for pets," Nelson said. "Fatty foods, especially for dogs, can cause pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening. Bones also should not be offered as they can cause obstruction and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract."

• Other toxic treats to keep out of reach: chocolates; macadamia nuts; raisins; grapes; dips containing garlic, chives or onion; drinks and confections made with nutmeg; salty snacks; and sugar-free candies that contain xylitol. And don't forget to keep trash cans closed and food wrappers out of reach, as they are too tempting for pets to get into and ingest.

"Remember to have guests put purses out of reach so your pets don't get into sugar-free gum, cigarettes or medications," Dr.Nelson said.

• Avoid a decoration disaster. Keep an eye on your pets around potentially hazardous decorations. Tinsel and ribbons, which are very tempting for cats, can be dangerous if ingested and can cause bunching up of the intestines, which can be fatal. Glass ornaments can break and cut pets' feet, and hooks used to hang ornaments can become problems in the gastrointestinal tract if swallowed. Be aware of any candles you have out, so pets don't knock them over and get burned or start a house fire. Light cords need to be out of reach for animals to prevent electrocution if chewed on, Dr. Nelson said.

"It is important to keep liquid potpourri out of reach as it can be toxic for your pet if ingested," Dr. Nelson said.

• Reconsider decorating with your favorite holiday plants. "People often forget about seasonal plants and pets," Nelson said. "Holly and mistletoe are toxic if ingested, and all parts of lilies are toxic for cats. While not deadly, poinsettias can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Also, don't allow pets to drink the water from the base of live Christmas trees as water additives and chemicals from the tree can cause gastrointestinal distress and possibly death."

• Don't forget about gifts for the pets. "Giving gifts to the pets can be fun, but remember to keep food items hidden until the last minute," Nelson said. "Also keep food items that are gifts for your family out of reach so pets don't tear open packages. Your pet's exceptional sense of smell makes these items irresistible."

After the presents are opened, keep an eye out for dangerous toy pieces such as small parts or balls. "These items can become foreign bodies if ingested, and batteries — especially if punctured from chewing — can cause burns in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract," Dr. Nelson said.

• Start the New Year off right. Dogs with noise phobias will be frightened during New Year's Eve parties — especially when it comes to poppers, noisemakers and fireworks. Additionally, cats will be attracted to string confetti, which if ingested, can cause a gastrointestinal obstruction.

Dr. Nelson recommends keeping pets in a room where they are protected from loud noises, and talking with your veterinarian about medications for noise phobias, should your pet suffer from severe noise anxiety. The use of string confetti should be avoided, or if used, removed before your cat is allowed in the area.

Welcome to:

Stephanie Freeman, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Office Specialist II
Mark Loberg, Dean of Veterinary Medicine, Program/Project Manager I
Anne Dykeman, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Research Assistant

Farewell to:

Baolin Wang, Anatomy & Physiology, Research Technician
Dr. Lacey Robinson, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Assistant Professor
Lauren O'Dell, Veterinary Health Center, Client Services Assistant
Dr. Rachel Palinski, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Fellow (Post Doc)