College of Western University of Health Sciences Fall 2010/Volume 11, Issue 4

CVM News Alumni News White Coat Ceremonies Honors Day 2010 Grads in the Field New Building Dedication Welcome Week WAVE Program

Preceptor Profile Alan Schulman, DVM, DACVS Animal Medical Center of Southern California

n A Work Of Heart Outlookthe Word from the Dean n Fall 2010/Volume 11, Issue 4 College of Veterinary Medicine This edition of the Outlook Western University of Health Sciences highlights many of the Editor: activities that mark the Paul Gordon-Ross, DVM, MS beginning of the academic 909.706.3529 year. Our convocation [email protected] exercises and orientation activities were mere reminders Associate Editor: that the cycle had begun . . . Carla Sanders again! [email protected]

The dedications of the new Assistant Editor: Health Education Center (HEC) Jason Carter and the Patient Care Center 909.706.3874 (PCC) represent a significant [email protected] expanse of university resources that will have broad beneficial Photographer: Jess Lopatynski implications for every area of the university, including the 909.469.5298 [email protected] College of Veterinary Medicine.

Our faculty members are continuing their successful Photographer: Jeff Malet efforts in acquiring funding for research. In addition, student participation in research activities continues to 909.469.3790 [email protected] expand, and there has been a significant increase in student presentations of project outcomes at national Graphic Designer: meetings. Paul Gettler 909.469.5256 Under the leadership of Dr. John Tyler, the CVM is [email protected] developing a program of that will provide opportunities for students to contribute to societal ------needs through service and to be recognized with a special “Service Citation” at the time of graduation. We’ll 309 E. Second St. provide more details on that new and exciting endeavor Pomona, Calif. 91766-1854 in future issues. www.westernu.edu [email protected]. Most definitely, we’ve started this academic year with an enthusiastic bang! n A Work Of Heart

On The Cover Photo courtesy Alan Schulman, DVM, DACVS

Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhD

If you would like to be removed from the Outlook mailing list contact Liz McGowen at 909.469.5392 or e-mail [email protected] 2 CVM Calendar n

Veterinary Board Exam Prep ...... November 1, 2, and 3, 2010 Job Fair ...... November 4 and 5, 2010

A Tribute to Caring (www.westernu.edu/tribute)...... November 13, 2010 National Board Exam ...... November 15 to December 11, 2010 Thanksgiving Break ...... November 25 to 26, 2010 Winter Break...... December 20, 2010 to January 3, 2011 Open House ...... April 2, 2011 Honors Day...... TBA Spring Break ...... March 21 – 25, 2011 CAREs ...... March 23 – 25, 2011

2007 CVM Charter Class

Alumni Calendar n

Class of 2007 Five Year Reunion...... 2012 Alumni Western States meeting, Las Vegas, Nev...... TBA

3 White Coat Ceremony Welcomes Class of 2014

MEMBERS OF THE WESTERNU COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE Class of As for practical advice, he offered a 2014 took their first steps toward a veterinary degree on Aug. 7 during list that included: the traditional White Coat ceremony. The event, at Bridges Hall of Music in • Place value on communication Claremont, followed the Convocation the same day at Ontario Convention and business skills as well as Center. the clinical aspects. CVM Dean Phillip Nelson, DVM, PhD, welcomed the assembled faculty, • Learn from the faculty. Talk students, family and friends. In his greeting, Vincent J. Naimoli of Tampa, with them, explore with them. Fla., a member of the WesternU Board of Trustees and father of a CVM student, extolled the 105 members of the new class to “do good things” • Be flexible to new and different career opportunities. Consider with their veterinary degrees. emerging markets such as China, Asia and Eastern Europe. Keynote speaker Clinton A. Lewis Jr., president of U.S. Operations for • Consider all options beyond private practice, such as food security, Pfizer Animal Health, praised the education the students bioterrorism, and research. were about to receive. He stressed that it takes the “The white coats symbolize an important step in your right faculty, as journey,” Mr. Lewis said. well as the right He added that the new class is “extraordinarily teaching privileged to attend this wonderful, forward-thinking and learning university.” approach, for Dean Nelson followed up Mr. Lewis’ speech by success and the presenting him with a plaque honoring his longstanding new class “will join a commitment and support to veterinary medicine. long list of who have benefited” from WesternU. He said The students were presented by Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, the WesternU model of problem- Teresa Morishita, DVM, PhD, and Josep Rutllant, DVM PhD, Director of based learning and the team Second Year Curriculum. Director of First Year Curriculum, John Tegzes, approach should be the approach for MA, VMD, DABVT, administered the Pledge of Commitment, while teaching everywhere. Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs, Stephen Waldhalm, PhD, DVM, led the faculty in the ’s Oath. “You have a distinct advantage,” he told the students. In closing, Dean Nelson told the class, “The white coat represents a symbol of trust. There are people who will depend on you.”

4 Shining STARS of Summer SEVENTEEN STUDENTS PRESENTED AN ARRAY OF SUMMER RESEARCH PROJECTS in animal health. The students gain a better appreciation of research and the the CVM portion of Western University of Health Sciences’ Third Annual effort needed to succeed in this field. This greater understanding will help Student Technology and Research Symposium – STARS. The daylong event them become better veterinary professionals, no matter what career path on July 27 featured presentations on subjects as wide ranging as they choose. Research is the underpinning# of our current understanding pedigrees of snow leopard and seal histology to canine ehrlichiosis in the of medicine and will be the source of future advancements. By highlands of Peru. participating in this program, they are better positioned to determine the # validity of new information and what changes, if any, should be made to As part of the program, participating students wrote an abstract on their veterinary practice.# For those who consider a research career path after research, then gave a 15-minute oral presentation and answered questions graduation, this early exposure will inform this important decision. We are from faculty, fellow students and visitors. proud of these students, for choosing to spend their summer in the Tom Phillips, DVM, PhD, who oversees the program, praised the projects pursuit of new knowledge.” and presenters, noting this was the third year the event has been held. “It Dr. Phillips said special thanks should go to the sponsors of the student started out as a college-sponsored event, but the last two years, due to its summer research stipends: Merial, Morris Animal Foundation, WesternU’s success, it has been a university-wide event. Each year the quality# of Summer Student Research Grants, and CVM Summer Student Research presentations, the data, and the research have improved over the previous Grants. year’s entries.” # Even though many of the students were nervous and had trepidations Dr. Phillips also lauded the benefits of the program itself. “The summer about presenting their results at STARS, a post-seminar survey revealed student research program is important, as it gives students, in a clinical that 92 percent of responding students (response rate, 64 percent) degree program, a ‘taste’ of research. The STARS acronym really says it all, enjoyed the STARS symposium.# And although awards were for participating students have the potential to become stars of the only given to four students, all the presentations were of an exceptionally profession – to contribute knowledge and understanding to the science high quality, which made the selection process difficult, according to of medicine, and to make new discoveries that will benefit human and Dr. Phillips.

# # # This year, the following students participated in the CVM STARS program: # # #

Bradley Ahrens, mentored by Dr. Carlos Cocker Bridget Morton, mentored by Dr. Pedro Paulo Diniz Bacterial etiology of necrotic arachnidism in black widow spider bites Detection of an intracellular pathogen by direct PCR from blood samples Suzanne Benedict, mentored by Dr. Linda Kidd Bridget Morton, mentored by Dr. Pedro Paulo Diniz Persistent hyperadrenocorticism in dogs with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism on trilostane therapy Canine ehrlichiosis in the Highlands of Peru Aleli Camacho, mentored by Dr. Kristopher Irizarry Sean Perry, mentored by Dr. Pamela Govett Comparative analysis of gene expression in skin under pathologic conditions Comparing MS-222 (tricaine methanesulfonate) and propofol’s influence on acid-base status in elasmobranches during anesthesia Janet Cometa, mentored by Dr. Janis Joslin A study on the incidence of various diseases in captive snow leopards in North America Lindsey Porterfield, mentored by Dr. Josep Rutllant The use of canine testicles as a model to retrieve viable epididymal spermatozoa Charli Dong, mentored by Dr. Peggy Barr from related endangered species Snow leopard pedigree Kursten Roderick, mentored by Dr. Jennifer Buur Sonia Fang, mentored by Dr. Wael Khamas Pharmacokinetics of N-acetylcysteine in healthy cats Histomorphology and functional correlates of the vasculature in the female reproductive tract of northern elephant seals and California sea lions Stephanie Rodriguez, mentored by Dr. Maria Pia Phillips Comparison of glutathione and liposomal glutathione on the levels of oxidative Erica Faulhaber, mentored by Dr. Kristopher Irizarry and Dr. Katherine Mitsouras from COMP stress in FIV-infected astrocytes Gene amplification and analysis of snow leopard papillomavirus Jennifer Scudder, mentored by Dr. Katherine Mitsouras from COMP Eric. J. Fish, mentored by Drs. Pedro Paulo Diniz, Frank Bossong, and Dr. Kristopher Irizarry Ellen Collisson and Yvonne Drechsler The use of trait mapping to evaluate differences in phenotype and genetic mRNA detection and genomic analysis of feline coronavirus in monocytes of healthy shelter cats variation between bullmastiff littermates in Southern California Gordon Hui, mentored by Dr. Kristopher Irizarry # # # Construction of host and papilloma viral protein interaction map to facilitate understanding of papillomavirus genome This year awards were given to: Kimberly Lin, mentored by Dr. Hrvoje Smodlaka Best Presentation (tie): Lisa Lippman and and Stephanie Rodriguez Seal histology Most Research Progress: Eric Fish Lisa Lippman, mentored by Dr. Yvonne Drechsler Most Potential for a High Impact Publication: Jennifer Scudder Isolation and cloning of an avian coronavirus Most Daring Research: Bradley Ahrens

5 PRECEPTOR PROFILE

AT ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, students from WesternU’s College of Veterinary Medicine receive a good deal of hands-on training – literally – under Dr. Alan Schulman, DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. “I want them to get used to doing a full exam on every animal,” he explains. “In addition, when we have a normal dog, I want the students to feel the elbows, shoulders, hips and knees – I want them to get used to seeing and feeling what a normal dog feels like.” It is through these procedures that Dr. Schulman hopes to help instill confidence in the students who rotate through his practice. “We end up saying to the students that we know they have excellent didactic training, now I really want them to get the experiences that will make them feel that much better about their abilities. I want them to feel good about handling animals and doing surgical procedures.” At Animal Medical Center, located in Los Angeles, students in rotations may see a variety of cases. “The practice is a full-service, 24/7 emergency referral center and general practice,” Dr. Schulman explains. “We see a phenomenal cross section of cases – anything from the normal to all of the exotic specialties that come in the door.” One to two students at a time spend four weeks in rotation with Dr. Schulman and his staff. “My expectations have been met by each and every student who passes through here,” he says. “WesternU students really do measure up. They seem well rounded, have a great attitude and good surgical and tissue handling abilities.” And, he stresses, “they want to learn. They ask brilliant questions and are very receptive. They have received excellent training comparable to some of the more established veterinary training facilities in the U.S.” Dr. Schulman says serving as a preceptor has been beneficial to him “because sometimes I forget the breadth of knowledge after 27 years and take some things for granted. It’s great to be able to share that knowledge.” His own interest in veterinary medicine developed when he was a child, growing up in New York City. “I knew I wanted to be a veterinarian from the time I was a munchkin,” he relates. His parents were extremely supportive, and he reveled in summers in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York where he learned about critters such as frogs, salamanders and snakes. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, followed by a DVM from The New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, also at Cornell. He completed an internship and surgical residency at California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles and set up his own practice in 1989. In addition to his work as a veterinarian, Dr. Schulman also is a frequent, well-known guest expert on local and national news and information programs. In his spare time, he likes to ride his horse, ski, and work out, train and play with the New York Yankees during the off season as well as many National Hockey League players. Dr. Schulman hopes that students who rotate through his practice will “get the experience that will make them the best doctors.” In addition, he offers this advice: “Be patient and be able to communicate with people. Never really forget that communication is one of the important things to do as a vet. And, never be complacent, because when you’re complacent, you’re standing still, but you’re not really standing still, you’re falling behind. Keep up with new advancements and developments.”

6 University Dedicates New Buildings

WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES dedicated its two “He also deserves credit for developing a real sense of family newest buildings – the Health Education Center and the and community” at WesternU, the chancellor said during the Patient Care Center – in late August during a ceremony Aug. 25 event. “The personal experience that students have attended by university, state and U.S. dignitaries. California State here translates into the kind of experience that they can give University Chancellor Charles B. Reed, EdD, served as the their patients. And that is an incredibly important contribution keynote speaker, noting that WesternU is addressing California's to our society and to our state.” dire need for more health care workers thanks to visionary He also acknowledged the leadership. contributions of WesternU “The role of all universities, public and private, is to prepare Provost and COO Benjamin students to meet the future needs of our businesses and Cohen, Assistant Provost for communities and families, and in doing so, universities need to Strategic Operations and be fully integrated in their communities,” Chancellor Reed said. Clinical Services Joan Sandell, At WesternU, “community service has been a cornerstone of Executive Director of this university’s philosophy since it was first established more Facilities and Physical Plant than 30 years ago. Today’s dedication represents another new Todd Clark and WesternU chapter in the expansion board member Vince Naimoli. of WesternU’s efforts to In addition, Dr. Pumerantz meet the needs of so thanked the Board of Trustees for its support and Senior Vice many Californians.” President for Advancement Thomas Fox for organizing the dedication ceremony. He praised WesternU Founding President Philip Representatives from the offices of Assemblywoman Norma Pumerantz for his long- Torres, U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano and state Sen. Gloria Negrete term vision and for McLeod presented Dr. Pumerantz with proclamations. Pomona continuing to propel the Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Frank Garcia and University to new and members of the Pomona City Council presided over a ribbon- greater heights. cutting ceremony.

7 Orientation A Team Effort at CVM THERE WERE ACTIVITIES (NOT GAMES). There were lectures and After the various learning to trust each other. There was the consideration of a components were paradigm shift in how they view their profession. completed, the participants were debriefed. “We For the 100-plus wanted to know ‘What did first-year students you learn from this? What and a handful of happened? How will you faculty from the apply this to a veterinary WesternU College of practice?’ ” Veterinary Medicine who participated, Dr. Charles says this was this was all part of a the second year the team building and program has been offered orientation program at WesternU and feedback on campus prior to was extremely positive. “Many felt it gives them a skill set to be the start of classes in able to manage a difficult professional curriculum … Usually August. they are very skeptical at the beginning, but then they see how it works and get excited about it.” The two-day event at WesternU was based on the curriculum of the national AVMA Veterinary Leadership Experience (VLE), A part-time instructor in the CVM and a radiology resident, Dr. a five-day program put on each summer in Post Falls, Idaho, Charles was asked to head up the team-building event because according to Betsy Charles, DVM, MA, who helped facilitate the of her background. She has a Master’s degree in organizational CVM course. leadership and is a member of the core leadership team for the AVMA VLE. “The whole premise is that in order to be effective veterinarians or medical doctors or teachers, you need to be She says the program has one key goal: “This is all about emotionally intelligent,” explains Dr. Charles. “And we believe helping the students to become compassionate and caring the most effective way to lead is through servant leadership. health care providers.” The VLE curriculum is built on those ideas as are the orientation programs we provide.”

Students were welcomed to campus for the 2010-2011 school year in August with a round of activities and special events. Among the highlights were university orientation, a lunch sponsored by Novartis, sessions on problem-based learning, and a roundtable featuring “Students’ Secrets to Success.” Parent’s Night capped the day on Aug. 6. The final day, Aug. 7, began with University Convocation at Ontario Convention Center, followed by the College of Veterinary Medicine’s White Coat Ceremony at Bridges Hall of Music in Claremont. The festivities concluded with the President’s Picnic at Ethan Allen Park on the WesternU campus.

8 A Beneficial Partnership CVM Teams Up with Claremont Organization to Aid Seniors

SENIORS IN CLAREMONT ARE BENEFITING from the knowledge of students and faculty at WesternU’s College of Veterinary Medicine through the Veterinary Ambulatory Community Service Program (VACS). The program, which is offering free basic veterinary care to the city’s seniors for a limited time, is made possible through a First-year CVM students Lindsay Smith, Nicole Wyatt and Yvonne Rosales look over a Chihuahua as part of the VACS program. $9,800 grant from the Claremont Community After the Sept. 28 session, Dr. Bossong noted that it “had a great Foundation, according turnout and seniors were anxious to know when we were to CVM’s Frank Bossong, scheduling the next event. LuAnn Manley noted that we saw DVM, Assistant Professor 21 patients that day and several had never been to the of shelter medicine. veterinarian before and needed care. So, we feel the day was a

RVT LuAnn Manley holds Vinny in the VACS unit, The program got under big success.” which is providing free basic pet care to seniors in way on Tuesday, Another VACS day is planned at the Joslyn Center in the Claremont. Sept. 28, 2010, when the coming months. mobile VACS unit pulled up to the Joslyn Senior Center. About two dozen seniors turned out with cats and dogs, and during Nickia Cleaves, executive director of the Claremont the day, three neutering surgeries were performed, according Community Foundation, said the program money was a gift to Eva Jaeger, RVT at the CVM, who from Dr. Cynthia Gordon of was part of the VACS team. The Claremont, who requested it be other RVT at the event was LuAnn used “for the care of companion Manley. animals for people of restricted means.” “We looked at different During the visit, each senior was options and when we heard about interviewed by veterinary students the WesternU mobile unit that and faculty to collect a thorough seemed like a wonderful thing to history of their pets. Procedures support,” she explained. available included exams, spaying, neutering, pre-screening blood The overall mission and goal of work, vaccines, micro chipping, the VACS program is to offer basic heartworm testing and FeLV-FIV veterinary care to underserved testing. Veterinary students and animal populations and the faculty explained the procedures people who care for them. VACS is planned and performed and Dr. Frank Bossong, assistant professor in shelter medicine, shows CVM dedicated to increasing successful students how to tell the age of a dog by looking at its teeth during the VACS answered seniors’ questions. unit’s stay at the Joslyn Senior Center on Sept. 28. pet-family relationships and reducing homeless animal “Our goal for the students is for them to really get the concept populations through education and care. This service-learning of community service – the importance of giving back to the initiative promotes veterinary student learning about medicine, community,” Dr. Bossong said prior to the inaugural outreach societal issues and community service through active civic event. “Plus, they get really hands-on training in a situation like engagement and outreach. this so they are practice ready.”

9 CVM Student Profiles - Class of 2014 n

Raised in Bedford, Mass., I graduated with a BA I grew up in Golden, Colo., and received my in Economics from Calvin College in Grand Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Rapids, Mich. As an avid equestrian, with my University of California, San Diego. I worked central veterinary interest in equine sports for a small animal practice in San Diego and medicine, I look forward to starting at WesternU I volunteered for Rescue House, a cat rescue in Southern California – a geographic hotbed of and adoption organization. I am interested horse activity! in small animal medicine. Ann-Marie Aumann Kendra Bettis-Scheibe

I was raised in Southern California and received my I am from Santa Fe, Texas, a small town Bachelor’s degree from California State University, just outside of Galveston. I received my Long Beach in Microbiology with minors in Bachelor’s from Texas A&M University Chemistry, Computer Science, and Anthropology. with a major in Animal Science. I have I’ve worked with domestic, exotic, and marine spent the past five years working at a animals. I enjoy playing capoeira and all water specialty hospital in Houston, Texas. My sports, especially outrigger paddling and surfing. interest is in small animal emergency Ryneil Castro and critical care medicine. Jeannie Clark

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., and I grew up in Derry, N.H., and received my graduated from Manhattan College in the Bachelor’s degree in Pre-Veterinary Medicine Bronx with a BS in Biology. My experience from the University of New Hampshire. includes volunteering at a small animal I worked for a mixed animal practice as an clinic and a stable, and research in undergraduate, and I volunteered at a wildlife paleontology. I am primarily interested in rehabilitation sanctuary in Africa in June, 2009. small animal and wildlife medicine. I am interested in mixed animal medicine. Kimberly Danaher Michelle Crupi

Originally from Sturbridge, Mass., I received I grew up in Philadelphia, Pa., and received my Bachelor’s degree in both Biology and my BS in Bioengineering from Syracuse Spanish from Drew University in Madison, University in 2010. I am very interested in N.J. My undergraduate research studied wild pursuing small-animal orthopedic surgery, but small mammals and deer, and I volunteered am also going into WesternU with an open at a wildlife clinic at Tufts University. I am mind. I’m really excited to try a little bit of interested in wildlife medicine. everything and see where my passion lies. Ian DeStefano Christine DePompeo

I grew up in San Jose, Calif., and attended I grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wis., and University of California, Davis for my received my Bachelor’s degree in Animal undergraduate studies in Animal Science. I am Science from the University of Minnesota. interested in all fields of veterinary medicine I volunteered in Australia with exotics, and am eager to learn all about my future interned at a cat and dog practice, and patients. Here’s to an exciting and challenging interned at a raptor rehabilitation facility. journey in veterinary medicine! I hope to practice exotic and companion Janelle Dumlao Elizabeth Ferderbar animal medicine.

10 CVM Student Profiles - Class of 2014 n

I am interested in the behavior of all kinds I was born and raised in South Korea and moved of animals, including zoo, wildlife, and small to Charlotte, N.C., when I was 14. I received my animals. I completed my Bachelor’s degree at BS and MS in Biology from the University of the University of California, Davis, majoring North Carolina, Charlotte. I am hopeful that in Animal Science with an emphasis on many years of small animal experience and Behavior. I grew up all over but lived most of scientific research will contribute to my my life in Orange County, Calif. becoming a successful veterinarian. Marissa Heil Hye-Young (Erica) Kim

I grew up in New Jersey and graduated I grew up in the foggy, but beautiful town of from Rutgers University. I majored in Tiburon, Calif. I received my Bachelor’s Animal Science, minored in the Biological degree in Animal Science from California Sciences. I was a research assistant at Polytechnic State University, San Luis school, worked as a veterinary technician Obispo. I worked for a small animal practice at a small animal clinic, and volunteered as and I assisted with elephant conservation a veterinary assistant at an equine practice. research in Africa. I am interested in small Bryan Lui animal medicine, especially surgery. Nicole Malecek

I grew up in Southern California and received Originally from New Hampshire, I received my a BS in Human Biology from the University of Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from California, San Diego. I have worked in small Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts animal medicine since 2001 and as an RVT and completed my senior qualifying project in since 2009. My interests are in radiology, embryology at the University of Massachusetts genetics, and . I can’t wait to Medical School. For the past two years I have start this most exciting journey! been working for a contract research Angelo Marco Elise McDevitt organization in pre-clinical drug testing.

I was born and raised in Tucson, Ariz. Following a successful business career, I was I graduated from the University of inspired to pursue veterinary medicine while Arizona with a BS in Veterinary Science. volunteering at a wildlife rescue facility in I worked in a small animal practice and Northern California. I’ve worked in a shelter have volunteered with livestock, horses, and with equine facilities and a farm animal and wildlife. I am primarily interested in sanctuary. I am interested in becoming a rural small and large animal medicine. mobile vet and continuing my volunteer efforts. Cynthia McGrogan Sue Mowatt

I graduated from Penn State University, I grew up in Nassau, Bahamas, and just double majoring in Animal BioScience and recently graduated from the University of Psychology, and double minoring in Equine Florida with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and International Agriculture. My Science with an emphasis in animal current interests lie in the field of biology. I have interned at a variety of pathology and shelter medicine but I guess places including a dolphin encounter we’ll see where the next four years lead. facility back in The Bahamas. Caitlyn Neal Amanda Pinder

11 CVM Student Profiles - Class of 2014 n

I grew up on the west coast of France. I I was born and raised in Fontana, Calif., and moved to Los Angeles 10 years ago where I received my BS in Animal Science with a went back to school. I followed the RVT minor in Microbiology from California State program at Pierce College then completed the Polytechnic University, Pomona. I work relief prerequisites for veterinary school. I worked at an emergency clinic in Upland, Calif., and with large and small animals, wildlife, and was work at a day practice in Corona, Calif. I am trained in laboratory animals. interested in laboratory animal medicine. Maritchu Ravenscroft Yvonne Rosales

I grew up in Palmdale, Calif. I received I’m from Colorado Springs, Colo., and my Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science received my BS in Organismic Biology from from the University of California, Davis. I University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. I have worked in a small animal clinic and worked at a small animal-exotics-wildlife did an internship at the UC Davis clinic during undergrad, and also spent time Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in doing schutzhund training. I am interested in large animal radiology. I would like to small animal medicine. focus on exotic animals. John Ruitenbach Karin Selby

Born and raised in Southern California, I I was born and raised in central Arizona. obtained my BS in Biology from the In the fall of 2009 I received my BS in University of California, Los Angeles. I Animal Physiology from Arizona State have worked in small animal private University. I enjoy camping, fishing and practice for a little over a year, and am spending time on our family cattle ranch. excited to explore other areas of I am the proud father of two young veterinary medicine at WesternU. daughters. I am interested in food animal Kara Seyler Ryan Sitton medicine.

Born in the Philippines, I grew up in Southern I’m from a small town in New Hampshire California and graduated from the University and graduated from the University of New of California, Irvine in 2009 with a degree in England, where I majored in Medical Biology. I am interested in laboratory and small Biology and minored in Chemistry. My animal medicine, specializing in oncology. undergraduate summers were spent I have three dogs: Duke, Venus, and Gale, all of working at a mixed animal practice and I whom live with my family in Texas. volunteered at a marine animal Stanley Sowy rehabilitation center while at school. Amanda White

I grew up in Maryland and graduated from I am from Pittsburgh, Pa. I earned my BS in Cornell University with a BS in Animal Biology from Dickinson College and after Science. While in college I worked in small working as a marine mammal observer, I animal medicine and research, and after moved to San Diego for my master’s. I graduating in 2008 I worked in healthcare earned my MS from San Diego State market research in New York City. I am University in Evolutionary Biology studying excited to decide my career focus at walruses. My interests are marine mammal Kendall Wilson WesternU! Josh Yonas and small animal medicine.

12 CVM Faculty Update n

RONALD L. TERRA, DVM, MS, He pursued animal science further at the University of California, MBA, has been named Director Davis, obtaining an undergraduate degree in 1977 while also a of Fourth Year Curriculum. He member of the football and track teams for four years. In 1982, he succeeds Peggy Schmidt, DVM, earned both a DVM and an MS in Animal Science, both also from MS, DACVPM, who moved to the UC Davis. He received his MBA in Agriculture from the University newly created position of of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, in 2002. Director of Outcomes His professional career led him to Turlock, Calif., and the Lander Assessment. Veterinary Clinic, where he practiced for 24 years. During his “I am looking forward to doing as spare time, he served as a high school football official and good a job as Dr. Schmidt,” he eventually football coach at Modesto Junior College. says. “I hope to make fourth year Dr. Terra and his wife, Deborah, are the parents of three grown as enjoyable as possible while children: Kevin, a recent CVM graduate and practicing vet; enabling the students to learn as Rebecca, a high school teacher; and David, a computer software much as they possibly can to engineer. RONALD TERRA succeed.” Now in his fifth year at WesternU, In his spare time, Dr. Terra enjoys reading, particularly historical Dr.Terra has been the course leader for clinical skills for the past novels, history books and science fiction, and watching football. four years. His background is in food animal medicine, for which His favorite teams? he developed an interest working on his grandfather’s dairy farm “The 49ers, of course!” For college, it’s his alma mater, UC Davis. in the tiny northern California town of Winton. “Go Aggies!”

CVM Faculty Profile n

LIFE ON A FARM IN BRAZIL AND A FATHER WITH A MICROSCOPE paved my canine samples around to the way for a veterinary career for Pedro Paulo Diniz, DVM, nine different research institutes, PhD, who joined the CVM faculty in September, 2009. His migrating like a gypsy,” he recalls specialties are small animal internal medicine and vector-borne of his six years of research. “It was zoonotic diseases. “My father worked in the medical field and very challenging, and this quest oversaw laboratory testing,” Dr. Diniz explains. “One of my earliest unexpectedly brought me to the memories is of me playing with his microscope. I loved to U.S.” He would eventually figure it explore the microscopic wonders.” out, discovering that the most frequent tick-transmitted disease That wasn’t all he played with during his eclectic childhood. in Brazil can cause cardiac injury From ages 2 to 8, he lived in the Brazilian countryside surrounded and dysfunction in dogs. by cattle, sheep, chickens and other animals. Then, it was off to the city – Sao Paulo, Brazil – with his expanding family, which Dr. Diniz says he appreciates that included his father, mother (who taught college-level French the CVM has a strong reverence literature and later did post-doctoral training at the Sorbonne in for life and enjoys its problem- France), and two younger brothers. based learning approach to PEDRO PAULO DINIz education. “We want to inspire Dr. Diniz’s own educational pursuits and quest for knowledge and students to be lifelong learners,” he says. “Veterinary Medicine is information took him from his homeland to the United States. He evolving too fast, and we always have to keep looking and earned his DVM in 1999 from Sao Paulo State University, College learning.” of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. That was followed in 2002 by a residency certificate in Small Animal Since arriving in California in 2009, Dr. Diniz and his wife, Marina, Internal Medicine and a PhD in Clinical Sciences in 2006, both to whom he has been married for three years, have come to also from Sao Paulo State University. In 2009, he completed post- enjoy the Golden State. He takes advantage of its great weather doctoral training in Microbiology at North Carolina State daily as he bikes to work from his home in nearby Montclair. In University in Raleigh, N.C. their spare time, the couple likes to explore the region, taking in everything from the beach, through the mountains to the desert, It was the lowly tick that brought him to North Carolina in 2005, leaving little time – or room in their small apartment – to care for as he furtively sought the reason why dogs in Brazil seemed to be animals of their own. Says Dr. Diniz, good-naturedly: “For now, I dying – despite medication and treatment – from a tick-borne am a vet with no pets.” disease. “Due to limited resources in my university, I had to carry

13 C V M N e w s n

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and The CVM’s Ellen Professor of Avian Microbiology Teresa Y. Collisson, PhD, and Morishita, DVM, MPVM, MS, PhD, Yvonne Drechsler, DACPV, was the invited international PhD, and speaker and workshop presenter for the Vishwanath 2010 European Association of Zoo and Venketaraman, Wildlife Veterinarians Summer School PhD, from from Aug. 23-27 in Beekes Bergen, Tilburg, WesternU’s College of The Netherlands. Dr. Morishita’s Osteopathic Medicine presentations included “Avian Disease of the Pacific, have Teresa Y. Morishita Ellen Collisson Vishwanath Transmission in Zoological and Wildlife received a grant from Venketaraman Settings” and “Experiences of a Taxon Advisory Group a private corporate partner, SurroImmune, Veterinary Advisor.” Dr. Morishita serves as the veterinary in excess of $40,000 to conduct further advisor to the Galliformes Taxon Advisory Group for the studies on Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Association of Zoos and Aquariums and was asked to share her Virus. The title of the project is “Effects of experiences in developing animal health programs for CAEV infection on macrophages and T evaluating the conservation and high priority needs of lymphocyte function.” Galliformes birds (including peafowl, pheasants and their n relatives) housed in zoos and natural settings. Dr. Morishita also is editor-in-chief, since 2005, of the Journal of Zoo and Happy birthday to WesternU, which Wildlife Medicine and was asked to speak on “Ethical marked its 23rd year in September. It was Dilemmas in Scientific Publishing.” She then co-lead the week- the day after Labor Day, in 1977, when Dr. Yvonne Drechsler long workshop with Dr. Marcus Claus of the University of Philip Pumerantz first opened the doors Zurich in Switzerland, editor of the Journal of Mammalian of the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific with, as Biology, on “How to Write a Scientific Manuscript.” he describes it, “a broken phone and some rented furniture.” n One short year later, he and a small group of dedicated faculty and staff welcomed COMP’s first class of 36 osteopathic The College of Veterinary Medicine hosted the 2010 CVM medical students. That opening paved the way for the Research Seminar Series: “An Eco-Health Approach and Wildlife succeeding colleges, including establishment of the College of Conservation in Mediterranean Ecosystems” on July 19. The Veterinary Medicine in 1998, followed by its first graduating series was presented by Cristian Bonacic, MV, MSc, DPhil, head class in 2007. The university has come a long way in the past of department for Ecosystems and The Environment, Fauna three decades: This year, WesternU welcomed more than 1,000 Australis wildlife laboratory, Pontificia Universidad Catolica, incoming students in nine colleges, and that small group of full- Santiago de Chile, Chile. time faculty and staff now numbers nearly 700. n A team of veterinary investigators has obtained support for the first private enterprise-funded clinical trial at WesternU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. The team consists of: Tom Phillips, DVM, PhD, principal investigator; Maria Fahie, DVM, MS, DACVS, lead investigator; David Clark, DVM, DABVP, investigator; Gary Johnston, DVM, MS, DACVR, investigator; Frank Bossong, DVM, investigator, and Marc Togneri, DVM, investigator. This $30,000 yearlong project is a pilot phase of a prospective randomized study to investigate the therapeutic benefits of autologous platelet treatment in canine osteoarthritis (OA). The study will employ a novel, filtration-based, canine platelet enhancement therapy (C-PET) device developed by Pall Corp., a world leader in the manufacture of filtration technology. The Pall C-PET system is based on the company’s leukocyte reduction technology which helped set a standard of care for (human) patients receiving blood transfusions in many countries including the U.S. The C-Pet system will be used at the point of care to isolate and concentrate the patient’s own platelets for a single President Philip Pumerantz (center) with the founding Board of Directors injection in the affected joint.

14 GRADS IN THE FIELD “Grads in the Field” is a regular column in the Outlook. CVM alumni are encouraged to email Paul Gordon-Ross, DVM, MS ([email protected]) sharing experiences from their first years as veterinarians.

GROWING UP IN THE Jan. 1, 2011, she is SAN DIEGO AREA, continuing to pursue AMBER ANDERSEN, her love of media DVM 2009, wasn’t entertainment. A one to shun the member of Veterinary limelight. She News Network, she is a attended the San certified veterinary Diego School of journalist and has been Performing and featured on several Creative Arts and radio interviews. She developed an also is in the process of interest in putting together a web entertaining. But magazine – a webizine she’d also decided – among her other early on that she endeavors. wanted to be a She’s not one to sit still. veterinarian. So, after Dr. Andersen earned an obtaining her DVM undergraduate degree last year, Dr. from California Andersen opted to Polytechnic State combine her degree Dr. Andersen talks about the human-animal bond in this shot from her audition tape for the University, San Luis with her love of Oprah Winfrey Network. Obispo, and started in performing by the CVM in August auditioning for a show about the human-animal bond on the new 2005. The next summer, she had the opportunity to visit South Oprah Winfrey Network. Africa to interact with their wildlife. She also has worked with Many shows on television today deal with animals, she explains, animals and people in Native American tribes and rural areas of but few have a host who can speak from the standpoint of a Mexico. While at WesternU, she served as the CVM’s student veterinarian. So, she put together a professional audition tape for a representative to the California Veterinary Medical Association in show she calls “Animal Dr. Amber.” As she says, “We have Dr. Phil for 2006-2007. She also co-founded the university’s Disaster Animal psychology, Rachael Ray teaching us how to cook and Dr. Oz Response Team, which aided victims of the 2007 Southern talking about human health. ‘Animal Dr. Amber’ will educate and California wildfires. She was recognized for her leadership by entertain while exploring all aspects of the human-animal bond.” Western Veterinary Conference and California Veterinary Medical Foundation as a scholarship recipient. She completed externships During the audition process, Dr. Andersen said she hoped such a at the San Diego Zoo, Sea World and the American Veterinary show would “increase the visibility of our profession in the media Medical Association’s Washington, D.C., office. and give the public expert animal information. We will address all aspects of our relationships with animals. Topics will cover a wide After graduation, Dr. Andersen worked in small animal general range including pets, food animals, zoos, wildlife, marine life, public practice and was offered a unique role developing the animal health and current events.” services program for The Annenberg Foundation’s proposed public education center in Los Angeles, a job she enjoys today. She submitted the video in May and online voting took place into July. While Dr. Andersen’s show was not picked up as part of the Amber Andersen, DVM lineup for the new network, which debuts on cable on Class of 2009

To view Dr. Amber Andersen’s audition tape for “Animal Dr. Amber” or to find out more about her, log on to: www.facebook.com/animaldramber www.youtube.com/user/AnimalDrAmber

15 A Guessing Game CVM professor studies how dogs are identified

FOR MANY ADOPTED DOGS, determining their ancestry is a thing: there was a very low guessing game, as people do their best to identify dogs of correlation between what people unknown parentage. But how often do they get it right? That’s guessed a breed was based on its what the CVM’s Victoria Voith, DVM, PhD, DACVB, wondered. looks and what the DNA analysis So she, along with colleagues and students, set out to indicated was the actual breed determine the following: How often does a person’s composition. Sometimes even if the assumption about a dog’s breed match what DNA reports majority of respondents were in indicate the breed actually is? agreement regarding a breed, the DNA did not support their identification. Victoria Voith Dr. Voith’s first 20 subjects were randomly selected from a pool of family dogs that had been adopted by Western University of Dr. Voith’s findings confirm those of earlier investigators, Scott Health Sciences personnel – students, faculty, and staff. The and Fuller: Sometimes cross-bred dogs don’t look like the dogs originally came from 17 different canine adoption purebred dogs in their ancestry – and, even more importantly, agencies and were between 6 weeks and 5 years old when sometimes mixed breed offspring do not look like either the adopted. All the animals had been identified as mixed breeds; parents or grandparents. In fact, the mixed breeds may look 16 were thought to be partially one or two specific breeds and more like other purebreds. five as “types” of dogs. (One had been identified by breed and The consequences of misidentification are that published data type – a terrier-chow mix.) bases reporting incidents and prevalence of breeds of dogs Only 25 percent of the dogs that had been adopted as that engage in unwanted behaviors may be wrong, says Dr. probably being of specific breeds also had one of those breeds Voith. This draws into question the validity of dog-breed bans identified as a predominant breed by DNA. Even if DNA imposed by insurance companies, housing authorities, and analysis identified the same breed as the adoption agency, the governmental agencies. Not only may dogs be discriminated DNA also identified breeds, of equal or higher percentage, that against because they look like certain breeds, but the data were not mentioned by the agencies. collected about breeds of dogs may be inaccurate. This should not be interpreted as adoption agency personnel Dr. Voith would like to see all dogs evaluated as individuals and not knowing what purebred dogs look like, according to Dr. shelter dogs classified and promoted simply as American Voith. The dog may have been relinquished by an owner as a Shelter Dogs, with no breed attached. specific breed, the mother of the puppy may have looked like a She still has about a year to go before all her studies will be specific breed, and mixed breeds often do not grow up to look completed. The initial research report, “Comparison of like any of their parents or grandparents. Adoption Agency Breed Identification and DNA Breed Next, Dr. Voith showed video clips of the 20 dogs to more than Identification of Dogs,” was published in 2009 in the Journal of 900 people in dog-related professions. She found the same Applied Animal Welfare Science.

Test Your Breed Knowledge See if you can identify the correct breeds. To find out if you guessed correctly, look at the bottom of Page 19.

Dog 1 Dog 2 Dog 3

16 RESEARCHUpdate

Ellen Collisson, MS, PhD, former doctoral Veterinary internist and Assistant Professor student and associate Dr. Shail Singh and Pedro Diniz, DVM, PhD, has published an their research team have published their effort to identify pathogen DNA from canine findings regarding adenovirus vectors in meningoencephalomyelitis patients infected avian influenza virus immune responses. The with a variety of vector-transmitted complete citation is: Singh S, Toro H, Tang organisms. The study likely rules out the use DC, et al. Non-replicating adenovirus vectors of PCR for this diagnostic purpose in dogs. expressing avian influenza virus The complete citation is: Barber RM, Q Li, hemagglutinin and nucleocapsid proteins Diniz PPVP, et al. Evaluation of brain tissue or Ellen Collisson Pedro Diniz induce chicken specific effector, memory cerebrospinal fluid with broadly reactive and effector memory CD8(+) T lymphocytes. Virology. 201. polymerase chain reaction for ehrlichia, anaplasma, spotted fever group rickettsia, bartonella, and borrelia species in canine Veterinary immunologists and virologists Peggy Barr, DVM, PhD, Tom Phillips, neurological diseases (109 Cases). J Vet Intern Med. 2010;24:372–378. DVM, PhD, and Pia Phillips, PhD, have Dr. Diniz also has published a collaborative study of a common tick joined with Steven as a vector for Anaplasmosis and Erlichiosis in dogs. This study was Henriksen, PhD, designed to assess the effects of either simultaneous or sequential vice president for experimental infections with E. canis and A. platys on research and hematological and serological parameters, duration of infection, biotechnology at and efficacy of doxycycline therapy in dogs infected with one or Peggy Barr WesternU, and others both organisms. The study was a collaboration with scientists at to publish a study of the interaction of Idexx Laboratories and North Carolina State University. The authors methamphetamine use with virus diseases Tom Phillips from IDEXX have been working with Drs. E.B. Breitschwerdt, Diniz that have great societal impact. The group and S.D.Gaunt for a number of years on vector-borne diseases and plans further publications related to this collaborated to design, analyze and interpret the data generated in work. The complete citation is: Huitron- this study. The complete citation is: Gaunt SD, Beall MJ, Stillman2 Resendiz S, Henriksen SJ, Barr MC, et al. BA, Lorentzen L, PPVP Diniz, et al, Experimental infection and co- Methamphetamine infection of dogs with Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis: and lentivirus hematologic, serologic and molecular findings. Parasites & Vectors. interactions: 2010;3:33 reciprocal Veterinary epidemiologist Peggy Schmidt, enhancement of DVM, MS, DACVPM, recently published central nervous the results of a collaborative, observational system disease. J Pia Phillips study that was conducted to investigate the Neurovirol. 2010 Aug seroprevalence of anaplasma marginale in 16(4): 268-78. Iowa feedlots and its association with Steven Henriksen morbidity, mortality, and treatment costs. The complete citation is: Coetzee JF, Schmidt PL,

O’Connor AM, Apley MD. Seroprevalence of Peggy Schmidt Anaplasma marginale in 2 Iowa feedlots and its association with morbidity, mortality, production parameters, and carcass traits. Can Vet J. 2010;51:862–868.

17 Always In Our Hearts: Stories from the WAVE Program Sasha By Michelle Cox

It has been especially hard for us losing Sasha, our best friend of 14 years. He is now with his good friends Willow and Jacquel, both of whom he loved very much. Sasha was so special to everyone because he was not the typical Chow Chow that everyone perceives. He loved each of his family members, other animals and was a gentle, loving creature that we are blessed to have had time with on this earth. Cancer was first diagnosed in April 2008 in his right anal gland. It was removed, and we were blessed to have him for two more years before this dreadful disease once again reared its ugly head. He suffered an episode with vestibular disease three weeks prior to finding the mass, which had blocked his colon function. He was then laid to rest. He is so loved and missed every day. However, we are glad that he is no longer in pain. We miss his beautiful face and loving, giving, outrageous heart. So many kisses are sent his way. Keep prancing and running and be free of what ails you, my friend. Our Eternal Love, Michelle and Shannon

The Willed Body Program for Veterinary Medicine, WAVE THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE’S REVERENCE FOR LIFE COMMITMENT promises that animals will not be harmed in our teaching programs. A key element of this commitment is the WAVE (Willed deceased Animals for ) Program, which reaches out to animal owners to ask that they consider donating their beloved pets’ remains to anatomy and clinical skills education at the college (WAVE Program is modeled after the Human Willed Body Program at WesternU). More than 500 deceased animals have been donated to the college in the last two years. These special animals are providing a greater quality of education to future generations of veterinarians. All donations to WAVE must be deceased due to age, serious illness or injury. An animal that has no owner to approve the donation of its remains will not be accepted. When you know that the death of your beloved pet might be imminent, and you live within 40 miles of the college, please ask your veterinarian about donating to WAVE. Your veterinarian may contact Ms. Tami Miller at (909) 469-5597 to make all arrangements. Always in Our Hearts: Stories from the WAVE Program appears as a regular feature in each issue of the Outlook.

18 Our students are on journeys of discovery.

WesternU alum, Kaitlynn Koehler, DVM ’10 with her Husky "Snuffy."

Your gift will help pave their road.

WesternU College of Veterinary Medicine • 309 E. Second Street • Pomona, CA 91766-1854 Contact Tim McPheron at (909) 706-3762 • [email protected]

Answers for the Dog Breeds Test: The DNA results on the dogs pictured on page 16 reveal the following: Dog 1 (Brown Dog): Approximately 25 percent Rottweiler, with traces of Chow Chow, Japanese Chin, Doberman Pinscher, and American Staffordshire Terrier Dog 2 (White Dog): Approximately 25 percent of each of the following: Rottweiler, American Eskimo Dog, and Golden Retriever Dog 3 (Black and White Dog): Approximately 25 percent Rottweiler, with traces of German Shepherd Dog, Weimaraner, and Irish Setter

19 Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 465 San Dimas, CA 91773

College of Veterinary Medicine 309 E. Second St. Pomona, Calif. 91766-1854

15246-10/10-P

MISSION STATEMENT:

THE COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE is committed to serving society and animals through the preparation of students for the practice of veterinary medicine, and/or veterinary research in an educational program of self-directed learning, reverence for life and clinical education through strategic partnerships. Instruction and clinical opportunities are provided in a wide variety of domestic species, including food animal, equine, and companion animals. The college sustains a vibrant diverse faculty by encouraging advancement through personal and professional development and research. This creates an environment of competent, caring, ethical professionals, where cooperative learning, public service and scholarship can flourish. n