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College of Veterinary Medicine Advance Newsletter

The Next Generation: Educating Our Undergraduates for Careers in Science and Veterinary Medicine

They are working in a laboratory.
James Bonner loves science. As a freshman, James knew he wanted to major in biochemistry, so when he was selected to be part of the new hands-on Science Education Alliance biology lab, or SEA lab, in the WSU School of Molecular Biosciences, he was thrilled. “The lab brings abstract scientific concepts into everyday learning,” said Bonner, one of 24 randomly selected freshmen admitted to the SEA lab in fall 2011, the program’s pilot year. » More ...

Preparing Students for the Careers of the Future

As a manager of a clinical laboratory with the US Air Force, Captain Cordy Herring needs to have science, business, and managerial expertise to do his job well. After he was selected to further his education in a USAF program, he looked at universities that would broaden those skills and the WSU Professional Science Master’s Program rose to the top of his list. » More ...

WSU’s Veterinary Patient Wellness Service

Black lab with yellow vest in the treadmill with Lori Lutskas
Who says cookies can’t be good for you? When Lori Lutskas goes to work each day, she carries a bag of cookies with her to encourage her patients to do their exercises. “We do cookie stretches,” said Lutskas, a licensed veterinary technician and WSU’s veterinary physical rehabilitation practitioner. She puts a cookie (aka a healthy dog treat) on a dog’s hip so the dog will stretch around to get it. “We try to make it fun.” » More ...

Bald Eagle Released After Treatment for Lead Poisoning

Bald eagle coming out of the box
A five-year-old bald eagle was brought to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital in January after he was found in a ditch near Orofino, Idaho. After determining that the eagle showed signs of severe lead poisoning, Dr. Nickol Finch, head of the exotic and wildlife unit, gave him intravenous fluids and chelation therapy, which binds the lead so it can be eliminated through the kidneys. » More ...

Rehabilitation Helps Dexter Walk Again

Dexter is a white and brown dachshund.
A 6-year-old dachshund name “Dexter,” was referred to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital by his local veterinarian after he stopped using his hind legs and began dragging them as he walked with his front legs. Dexter was having back pain and an MRI revealed one of his discs was pressing on his spinal cord causing the paralysis in his hind legs, a fairly common condition in dachshunds. » More ...

Grateful Clients: Dave and Eddylee Scott have Helped Raise over $20,000

Some friends throw the best parties. For two years in a row, our friends Dave and Eddylee Scott of Anacortes, Wash. threw a fabulous party to raise money for the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. They hosted the first event in 2010, which raised nearly $7,000 to honor their dog "Cassie" and the veterinarians who cared for her when she was diagnosed with cancer. » More ...

Good Samaritan Funds Give a Rescued Puppy Mill Dog named Dancer a Chance at a New Life

"Dancer," a 7-year-old Powder-puff Chinese Crested, wasn't always as healthy and happy as she is today. She spent the first 6 years of her life in a puppy mill in Oregon. When she came to live with Tracy and her family in Idaho, all her toes were dislocated from being confined to a wire cage. Her teeth had rotted, she had a cyst, and an injured back. "She was in such bad shape, we really debated if the journey to get well was worth the pain she would go through," said Tracy. » More ...

Molecular Biosciences and Neuroscience Students on the Fast Track

Unlike a lot of high school students, Ross Rowsey, a senior in the School of Molecular Biosciences, and Kathryn Jewett, a graduate student in the Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Physiology (now Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience), knew they wanted to go to graduate school. So when each learned about the accelerated graduate school programs in the college, they knew it would be the right course for them. » More ...

How These Scientists’ Work Will Improve Health and Save Lives Around the World

Last month the Hollywood movie Contagion showed the fear, devastation, and social chaos caused by a fast-spreading, airborne virus for which there is no cure. While the pandemic in the film is fictional, the newly emerging disease—Nipah virus—is not. » More ...

Education Innovators: WSU’s Commitment to Training the Country’s Best Veterinarians

Students in a room with a volunteer client.
“Here’s what I’ll do,” said long-time client John Vanderhorn to the student working in a veterinary clinic. The doctor was out of the office for a few minutes and Mr. Vanderhorn needed medicine for his cow. But the doctor had said nothing about it to the student. “Since the doc didn’t leave a note, I’ll just go back there and get the medicine myself,” said Mr. Vanderhorn. “That way you won’t be responsible. I’ll even sign something.” In a calm voice, Angela*, who is really a second year WSU veterinary student, says she will look again for a note. She then comes out of the room to consult with her small group of classmates and veterinarian coach as the simulation goes into a time out to give the student a chance to regroup and refocus. » More ...