2012 Annual Report (pdf) - Ontario Veterinary College - University of ...

Annual Report
2011/2012
“The Craft of the Veterinarian is for the Good
of the Nation.”

Oral History Project
The Oral History Project aims to provide historical resources based on interviews with graduates, faculty and
staff of the University. Questions surrounding influences and life at the University of Guelph during various
decades are just a few of the topics explored within the project. Over the past 30 years, over 200 alumni and
friends have been interviewed, including past OVC graduates such as Dr. Bernard McSherry (OVC ’42) and Dr.
Joan Budd (OVC ’50). The tapes can be listened to in the library's archival section. Many of the interviews have
been transcribed, with both printed and electronic articles available.
To consult the entire listing of available interviews please visit:
http://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/resources/archival_&_special_collections/the_collections/digital_collections/regio
nal/oralhistory.htm or using your preferred search engine, please type
‘Oral History Project-University of Guelph’
The Oral History Committee is a volunteer group under the auspices of the U of G Alumni Association. If the
project is to continue more volunteer help is required. For more information on the Oral History Project
and how to conduct and submit interviews contact Dick Julian at rjulian@uoguelph.ca.
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Annual General Meeting
9:30 am Saturday, June 16 th 2012
Room 1714, Ontario Veterinary College
Agenda
1.0 Call to Order .................................................................................................................................... Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson
2.0 Welcoming remarks .................................................................................................................... Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson
3.0 Remarks from the President of the University of Guelph .................................................... Dr. Alastair Summerlee
4.0 Moment of Silence………………………………………………………………………………………Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson
5.0 Approval of the Agenda
6.0 Approval of the Minutes from the 2011 Annual General Meeting, Saturday, June 18 th, 2011
7.0 Business Arising from the Minutes
8.0 Dean’s Address .............................................................................................................................................. Dr. Elizabeth Stone
9.0 President’s Report ........................................................................................................................ Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson
10.0 Treasurer’s Report .......................................................................................................................................Dr. Roger Thomson
10.1 Review Engagement Report
Motion: "Appoint two persons to conduct a review engagement and submit a Review Engagement
Report. The two persons should not include the OVC Alumni Association Treasurer.”
11.0 Receipt of circulated reports for information
11.1 President’s Report
11.2 Dean’s Report
11.3 Development Report
11.4 Communications Report
11.5 Honours & Awards
11.6 Financial Report
12.0 Resolution Approving Acts of the Directors
Motion: “That all resolutions passed and all acts, contracts and business transacted by the Directors
since June 18 th 2011, be ratified and confirmed by the members of the Ontario Veterinary College
Alumni Association”.
13.0 Elections:
13.1 Election and Ratification of Officers ................................................................... Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson
Motion: “That all officers and directors as listed on the slate be elected”.
14.0 Presentation of OVC AA Awards ...................................................................................................................... Dr. Dana Allen
15.0 Adjournment
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Minutes – Annual General Meeting
9:30 am, Saturday, June 18 th 2011, Room 1714 Lifetime Learning Centre
Opening:
The Annual General Meeting of the OVCAA was called to order at 9:17 am on June 18 in room 1714 of the OVC
Lifetime Learning Centre by Janet SN (OVCAA VP). Janet welcomed alumni to OVC during the 250 th anniversary
of veterinary medicine. She introduced Dr Summerlee, who greeted alumni and congratulated award winners.
She also pointed out that U of G receives the second highest number of applications in province.
Brad Rooney from UGAA welcomed alumni. UGAA has paid its commitment to Rozanski Hall and has now
committed $1 million to support first year seminars.
Janet SN introduced Dr Dean Percy, who read names of alumni who have passed away during the past year.
Present: Janet SN, Dean Percy, Roger Thomson, Lyn Helweg, Jim Millington, Peter Conlon [Summerlee, Stone,
Jacobs, etc.] and various alumni from OVC’41 to present (including Dr Bern McSherry, Dr Bob Curtis, Dr Don
Barnum, among others).
A. Approval of Agenda: Moved by L Helwig, seconded by D Butler. Carried.
B. Approval of Minutes: Moved by D Julian, seconded by L Helweg. Carried.
C. Open issues:
A) Janet SN welcomed Dean Stone to comment on OVC activities. The Dean described the new buildings
(Pathobiology and the Clinical Skills Building). The second cohort of MPH students has graduated. Nestle
Purina PetCare Canada has funded a Chair in Communications (regarding pet overpopulation/abandonment).
The ICU expansion and Animal Cancer Centre (Pet Trust: $15 million) were mentioned. CPHAZ is moving into
former AHL space. The Hill’s Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) was highlighted. Outreach activities: mini vet
school conducted in evenings for the public; talks by 4 th year students in the new PHC. Dr Joan Budd (OVC’50)
turns 100 this year. The city of Ottawa will be naming a building after veterinarian Dr Roly Armitage. Dr Alan
Meek became an honourary Fellow of U of G. Dr Blake Graham started an endowed scholarship fund for the
study of zoonoses. OVC’s 150 th anniversary preparations: history students have been hired to catalogue and
digitize photos.
B) Janet SN thanked Dr Stone and welcomed Dr Roger Thomson to give OVCAA financial report (a copy of
which is in the meeting proceedings). The endowment is recovering (p. 1 of proceedings). In April 2003, the
endowment was $182,000; it is now worth $200,000. We get some interest from that investment (about $7,000
last year; p. 3). The university decides whether we get that money or not. We spend about $10,000-12,000 per
year using a GIC investment outside the university endowment. The OVC Alumni Trust (April 1997) was
transferred to U of G and is now worth about $52,000 (up from a low of $37,000 in 2009) – Dr Tom Sanderson
asked what happened to it. Roger said the objectives were to provide bursaries to students in need and to
support projects fundamental to the college, and to grow the fund. No funds have been disbursed in the last 5
years. Harry Brightwell said we started at zero and alumni have contributed those funds. We are in much
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etter shape now than in the past 2 years. Move that OVCAA audit: Moved by R Thomson, seconded by Lynn
Helwig. Carried.
C) Janet SN moved that we approve the Board of Directors’ decisions of the past year. Seconded by Tom
Sanderson. Carried.
D) Election & ratification of officers. Janet SN invited alumni to join by contacting Tara Collins. The list of
officers (last page of annual report) indicates that Dr Dana Allen is a new director at large; other new members
include Michael Goldstein (DVSc - Surgery) and class reps. Dr Trace MacKay has stepped down (past VP &
president). Janet moved that officers be elected; Dr George Fleming seconded. Carried.
E) Dr Dean Percy introduced the 2011 OVCAA awards.
Distinguished Alumnus Award: Dr Bernard McSherry, OVC’42. Dr Ted Valli presented the award to Dr
McSherry. Listed Dr McSherry’s various external awards; military career (D Day – COTC during school, 12 th
Field Battery [Guelph] with Jim Schroeder, Bern entered British Navy then joined 12 th field artillery to operate
howitzers – commanded landing craft with 4 guns firing from sea as they approached; 94 guns on beach firing
within an hour of landing; Canadians advanced further than any of the allies on D-Day; proceeded through
France & Holland and into Germany). At Harvard medical school after the war saw pioneering dialysis
treatment when patient lost consciousness, electrolyte administered patient recovered immediately; led to
McSherry’s solution (balanced saline). First veterinary clinical pathologist in Canada. Discovered treatment for
pernicious anemia by bleeding dogs and feeding them different diets liver helped vitamin B12. Studied
lead poisoning; labelled RBCs with radioisotopes; identified 13 blood groups in cattle – that’s why cattle cannot
receive more than a single transfusion. Why do cattle become neutropenic upon infection while dogs develop
leukocytosis? Bern used sand to filter blood removed neutrophils but allowed lymphocytes through.
Eventually used glass wool to refine process. Dr McSherry accepted award: came to OVC in 1938; Guelph had
25,000 people; OVC had about 15 faculty; all vet students lived with families in town; no antibiotics except
sulphanilamide, studied material medica to make medications; pre-war campus was very welcoming; post-war
the OVC expanded rapidly – more faculty, specialization, first post-graduate programs and students; MacNabb
became Principal finances grew rapidly; no small animal clinics existed and small animal medicine was a
secondary concern; many foreign faculty recruited. Bern was told there was no need for clin path but persisted
and grew it at OVC starting in the late 1940s. Dr McSherry received a standing ovation.
Young Alumnus Award introduced by Dean Percy. Recipient Pat Turner, DVM 1992, DVSc 1997. Dr Rob Jacobs
spoke and presented award: Pat hired because of need for lab animal expertise; Dip ACLAM, directs university
lab animal diagnostic service; numerous grad students, publications, memberships, and other activities. Pat
accepted award and acknowledged colleagues and mentors.
Janet SN congratulated award winners and invited nominations for 2012.
Janet invited Peter Conlon and Tara O’Brien to show the 150 th website.
D. Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 11:02 by Janet SN (seconded by Jim Millington). Carried.
Minutes submitted by Brad Hanna, OVC’89.
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President’s Report: 2011-2012
Dr. Janet Sunohara-Neilson, President, OVC AA, Ontario Veterinary College
It has been an exciting year as the College celebrates its 150 th anniversary. Alumni have returned to OVC for the
Fall Faire, Doors Open Guelph and the recent Global Development Symposium, which have been organized by
the Dean’s Office. This Alumni Weekend is special because many classes are coming back to celebrate
milestones. The class of 1952 is coming back to mark 60 years since graduation!
The OVC Alumni Association (OVC AA) Board of Directors has been busy working on ways to better support the
students, the alumni and the college. Our biggest accomplishment this year has been the launch of our newly
designed website (http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/alumni). This has been skillfully managed by our longstanding
secretary, Maureen Anderson (DVM 2003). There is much to explore including a blog, alumni calendar
and information on awards.
The website is one of the ways we try to reach alumni out in practice. We have also started to contact the
different veterinary associations across Ontario. If you are a member of one of these associations, we have
some questions for you. What do you do for your local alumni? Would you be able to announce events for the
OVC AA? Are there ways in which the OVC AA could assist you? Any ideas are welcome in combining efforts to
better support our alumni.
The final games of the 82 nd Challenge Cup were made unique this year through the planning of Brad Hanna
(DVM 1989). Wishing to highlight the tradition of hockey during the 150 th celebrations, Brad designed and
constructed a magnificent silver cup. He presented this cup to the winning teams on March 30, 2012. Alumni
hockey players in their team jerseys congratulated the winners. It was a magical evening with students, alumni
and professors celebrating hockey. Congratulations to Brad on a fantastic event, and thank-you for the
wonderful gift to OVC hockey.
The OVC Business Club hosted an evening of networking this year which was supported by the OVC AA. This
represented the third annual event of its kind, bringing together hiring clinicians and the graduating class in an
informal setting. In future years, this will be a joint event of the OVC Business Club and OVC AA. Invitations to
the event will be sent by email to all OVC alumni and information will be available on our website.
The OVC Alumni Association is proud to have launched the 150 Days of Service Initiative challenging all OVC
alumni to make an impact in their local communities in honour of the 150th anniversary. No task is too small.
Take a moment to share with your alumni association how you are shaping your local and global community
through volunteerism. If your event hasn’t happened yet, don’t forget to make a sign, your own t-shirts, hats,
pins and more and send us your photos. You will have a chance to be showcased on the OVC 150th website!
To submit your volunteerism story, please contact ovcaa@uoguelph.ca.
Financial constraints continue to cause the OVC AA to get creative in the ways we serve our mandate. Our
operating costs are covered by income from an endowment fund which depends on the market. If you have
financial wisdom, we encourage you to consider the position of treasurer. Roger Thomson (DVM 1975) has
done a fantastic job as treasurer for many years, and is looking forward to new challenges.
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As the year comes to a close, we are saying good-bye to a couple of long-standing board members. Dick Julian
(DVM 1952) and Dean Percy (DVM 1957) have provided great support to the board for many years. Dick Julian
has represented the OVC AA at Senate meetings and has been passionate about University of Guelph’s Oral
History Project. Dean has provided us with many historical accounts of OVC and the veterinary profession
through the years which you read in the Crest. Both have represented the OVC AA at many events.
Brad Hanna (DVM 1989) is our incoming president and is well-known among recent graduates. He is an avid
supporter of students, alumni and the college. He has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards
including the CVMA Teacher of the Year awarded at Convocation this week. His artistic talents and generosity
are on display in the college. He designed and created four stained glass windows installed in his department at
OVC and the aforementioned Challenge Cup. Brad’s creativity and passion for the college will be an asset to the
OVC AA during his term as President.
Thanks to everyone on the Board of Directors for your hard work this year. Special thanks to Blanaid Donnelly
(DVM 2009) who served as Past-President this year. Her ideas have fuelled the OVC AA throughout her years of
service.
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Dean’s Report: 2011-2012
Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Dean, Ontario Veterinary College
Happy 150th!
It’s finally here. In fact, we’re halfway through the OVC’s 150 th anniversary year! The College calendar over the
last several months has been full of special events related to the 150 th and there are more to come. Many thanks
to Tara O’Brien, the OVC 150 project manager, for all her hard work along with the many volunteers who have
made the celebrations a success.
Some recent highlights include:
• Global Development Symposium: Critical Links Between Human and Animal Health
About 250 people from more than a dozen different countries participated in the symposium held last month at
U of G. The three-day event was a smashing success — it was truly inspiring to behold the enthusiasm and
passion of the participants who are tackling some of the world’s toughest challenges in global public health,
food security, and empowering communities for change.
Congratulations on a job very well done to members of the organizing committee, including Roger Thomson
OVC ’75 and my co-chair Cate Dewey, Andrew Peregrine and Jan Sargeant, Carol Ann Higgins and project
managers Tejay Monga and Tara O’Brien.
• Guelph Civic Museum exhibit
In March, we celebrated the official opening of our 150 th anniversary exhibit with about 70 alumni, faculty and
friends including Guelph MPP Liz Sandals and Mayor Karen Farbridge. “Ontario Veterinary College: 150 Years
and Counting….” showcases OVC’s ties to the Guelph community and the birth of veterinary medicine in Canada.
It was made possible thanks in large part to Lisa Cox, a PhD history student at U of G, who spent most of 2011
leading a project to catalogue and organize artifacts from the C.A.V. Barker Museum of Canadian Veterinary
History.
If you haven’t seen the exhibit yet, there is still time to check it out this weekend. The exhibit runs until June 18.
• Nature of the Beast exhibit
Animal imagery from the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre (MSAC) and the University of Guelph art collections is
featured in an MSAC exhibition, “Nature of the Beast,” May 17 to July 8. The event coincides with the 150th
anniversary of U of G’s Ontario Veterinary College.
• Honorary degrees
In order to engage the broader U of G community in OVC’s anniversary celebrations, we partnered with other
Colleges in nominating candidates for honorary degrees. In February, honorary degrees were presented to
animal welfare scientist and autism activist Temple Grandin and renowned avian pathologist Richard Witter.
This past week, the U of G honored: John McDermott DVM ’89 and PhD ’90, who has dedicated his career to
helping improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers in some of the world’s poorest countries; Ian Dohoo DVM
’76 and PhD ’82, renowned for his groundbreaking work in epidemiology and bovine health; Motilal Madan,
whose pioneering work in embryo transfer technology revolutionized the industry in India; Stanley Coren,
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award-winning human and animal behavioral researcher; and George Cohon, founder and chairman of
McDonald’s of Canada, owner of therapy dogs and an active supporter of many charitable causes including the
OVC Pet Trust Fund.
In addition to participating in convocation, the recipients took part in the annual U of G President’s Dialogue
on the topic “Feeding the Planet: Critical Links Between Animal and Human Health.” They also met with
members of the OVC community and delivered special lectures.
• Doors Open Guelph
The Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) welcomed hundreds of visitors as one of the locations for Doors Open
Guelph event on April 28. The historic OVC main building, the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre,
and the Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre were featured.
• 150 th Finale Celebration
Mark your calendars for the OVC 150 th Anniversary Finale dinner in Guelph on Nov. 3. Watch for details coming
soon or contact Tara O’Brien tlobrien@uoguelph.ca for more information.
The 150 Years and Counting…….
Members of the College community worked many hours and expended a lot of creative energy in the
challenging and rewarding process of creating a new Integrated Plan. We began in January 2011 and over the
next several months the plan began to take shape with input and feedback gathered at community meetings,
retreats and breakout sessions involving faculty, students and staff.
The result is the “Ontario Veterinary College 2012-2017 Integrated Plan: Beginning the Next 150 Years.” The
plan is intended to be a living document that will be revised and updated as we move forward. Each OVC
academic department has also developed its own plan and framework for action. These documents are available
for download on the OVC website and I encourage you to read them and learn about the strategic initiatives that
we’ll be focusing on over the next five years.
OVC People
Our greatest strength at the OVC has always been our people — and their passion, dedication and commitment
to making the world a better place.
Sadly, the OVC community lost long time faculty member and professor emeritus Dr. Bruce Hunter, who died
suddenly in October at the age of 61. Bruce had a distinguished 30-year career at OVC before retiring in 2010.
He was a widely recognized expert on diseases in wild birds and poultry and promoted the integration of
animal, human and environmental health.
Retiring professors this year included Drs. Ken Leslie, David Waltner-Toews, Population Medicine, Doris
Dyson, Stephen Kruth, Michael O’Grady, Clinical Studies, and Herman Boermans, Biomedical Sciences.
There was a strong OVC presence among a host of extraordinary women at the 17th annual YMCA-YWCA
Guelph Women of Distinction Awards. Dr. Joan Budd, OVC ’50 received a lifetime achievement award in the
science, technology and research category. (Joan also turned 100 on Nov. 9 and the College hosted a party in her
honour). Dr. Elizabeth Stone, OVC dean, received a lifetime achievement award in the education and training
category. Dr. Julie Yager, a professor emerita in the Department of Pathobiology, was nominated in the science,
technology and research category.
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Dr. Roly Armitage OVC ’51 was honoured by the City of Ottawa for his legacy of service in December when the
city officially renamed the hall at the West Carleton community complex Dr. Roland Armitage Hall.
Biomedical Sciences Prof. Jim Petrik received a 2012 Dr. William Winegard Exemplary Volunteer Involvement
Award from the United Way of Guelph and Wellington and the Volunteer Centre of Guelph/Wellington.
Jennifer Panko, a registered veterinary technician and certified canine rehabilitation practitioner in the Hill’s
Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre, received the Award of Merit from the Ontario Association of
Veterinary Technicians for her volunteer work in the community.
The College welcomed several new Faculty and Veterinarians over the last 12 months including: Biomedical
Sciences - Dr. Craig Bailey, neurosciences; Dr. Thomas Koch, stem cell research; Clinical Studies and
Biomedical Sciences - Dr. Tony Mutsaers, cancer scientist/medical oncologist; Pathobiology - Dr. Byram
Bridle, viral immunology; Clinical Studies - Dr. Fiona James, neurology; Dr. Bronwyn Rutland, small animal
medicine; Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Endowed Chair in Canine and Feline Clinical
Nutrition; Population Medicine - Dr. Michael Meehan, veterinary communications; Dr. Elizabeth Scholtz,
theriogenology; OVC Health Sciences Centre - Dr. Valerie Poirier, radiation oncology; Dr. Agatha Kisiel , small
animal surgery; Dr. Peter Conlon, Associate Dean (Students), has taken on the additional role of director of the
Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre. Peter did an outstanding job as the interim director of the PHC,
guiding the team that achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. Priorities in his new
role include expanding interactions with the Guelph community and increasing learning opportunities for
students.
Dr. Carolyn Kerr was appointed Chair of the Department of Clinical Studies after having served as interim chair
following the retirement of Dr. Dana Allen.
OVC’s information technology guru Peter Jaspers-Fayer retired this spring after 35 years of stalwart service to
the University of Guelph.
David Durbin joined the advancement team as a development manager working with senior development
manager Clare Olmstead.
DVM and BSc Students
The OVC is continuing to improve its programs to enhance the learning experience for student veterinarians
and ensure that OVC graduates are equipped to succeed.
Student veterinarians area benefit from more hands-on learning in the new large animal clinical skills building.
The first classes began to use the facility in January, providing invaluable learning opportunities for those
interested in careers in food animal and rural veterinary practice.
The Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) continues to grow and its programs evolve. The PHC
provides a total of 23,760 hours of student learning per year in a supportive, hands-on environment.
A comprehensive review of the DVM program is underway as part of the new integrated plan. The review
includes admissions, learning objectives and outcomes assessment to ensure that DVM graduates have the
necessary entry-level competencies — skills, knowledge and attitudes —to add more value to the institutions,
businesses and organizations that they join.
The College also provides essential components of some key University of Guelph undergraduate degree
programs. Approximately 637 BSc students are registered in the Biomedical Science program, which is jointly
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managed by the OVC and the College of Biological Sciences. In addition, OVC faculty help deliver the
interdepartmental Toxicology BSc program with three other colleges. OVC faculty are involved in more than 76
non-DVM undergraduate and graduate course sections, accounting for approximately 3,400 non-DVM course
enrolments last year.
Graduate Studies and Research
OVC continues to recruit and train outstanding graduate students. In fall 2011, we had 261 graduate students
including 150 MSc (up 40% from 2008) and 124 doctoral students (up 42% from 2008). Congratulations to
everyone who has been involved in graduate recruitment and training.
Dr. Chika Okafor was appointed to a two-year post-doctoral position in companion animal epidemiology.
Supported by Banfield Pet Hospital, he is expanding the scope of OVC’s renowned work in epidemiology and
evidence-based health care for pets by answering important questions about nutrition and health in cats and
dogs.
• Nathan Lachowsky, a PhD student in the Department of Population Medicine, was one of two U of G students
to receive a prestigious Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship in 2011. Working with Drs. Cate Dewey and
Alastair Summerlee, Nathan is studying HIV/AIDS in at-risk populations in Canada and New Zealand.
• Dr. Jessica Gordon, a DVSc student in the Department of Population Medicine, received a Food Animal
Incentive Award at the 2012 Western Veterinary Conference. Working with Drs. Stephen LeBlanc and Todd
Duffield, her research is focused on finding the most effective treatment for ketosis in dairy cattle.
• Dr. Jennifer Thompson, who this spring completed her PhD in the Department of Pathobiology, was the sole
recipient chosen from across North America for the 2011 Merial Research Award for Graduate Veterinarians.
Jennifer’s research focuses on canine mast cell tumours — in particular, determining the expression of tyrosine
kinase receptors, cellular proteins that are often impaired in animal and human cancers.
• Samantha Payne, an MSc student working with Dr. Matthew Vickaryous in the Department of Biomedical
Sciences, was awarded a three-year Canada Graduate Scholarship from NSERC.
• Graduate students from OVC headed to Brazil this year under a new federally-funded scholarship program
aimed at establishing closer research and development ties between Canada and Brazil. Guelph and the
University of Montreal will host 10 Brazilian exchange students over the next two years under the program.
OVC mentors for the Brazilian PhD students include Drs. Jon LaMarre, Thomas Koch and Pavneesh Madan, as
well as adjunct professor Dr. Gabriela Mastromonaco, who is curator of reproductive programs at the Toronto
Zoo.
Three OVC scientists shared in more than $1.2 million awarded to U of G researchers by the Canada
Foundation for Innovation (CIF) Leader’s Opportunity Fund: Dr. Luis Arroyo, Clinical Studies, $125,484 to
study the vascular effects of pulmonary artery calcification in horses; Dr. Pavneesh Madan, Biomedical
Sciences, $126,486 to study molecular markers of embryonic competence or failure; Dr. Brandon Lillie,
Pathobiology, $122,619 to research genetic variations that increase disease susceptibility in livestock.
Several OVC scientists were successful in the NSERC competition: Dr. Brandon Plattner, Pathobiology,
$155,000, to study the immunopathology of early and sub-clinical Mycobacterium avium subspecies
paratuberculosis infection (MAP), the cause of Johne’s disease; Dr. Keith Betteridge, Biomedical Sciences,
$180,000, to study the biology of early pregnancy in mares; Dr. Brandon Lillie, $150,000, comparative innate
immunity in domestic animals; Dr. Jonathan LaMarre, Biomedical Sciences, $125,000, for work on posttranscriptional
mechanisms in the control of early bovine development; Dr. Eva Nagy, Pathobiology, $22,741
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toward the purchase of a new cell culture incubator and inverted microscope; Dr. Lee Niel, Population
Medicine, $145,000, understanding and prevention of aggressive behaviour in dogs; Dr. Glen Pyle, Biomedical
Sciences, $125,000, the role of estrogen receptors in cardiovascular function.
Other research highlights: Drs. John Lumsden and Janet MacInnes, Pathobiology, were awarded a $540,000
strategic grant from NSERC to support their work on rainbow trout fry syndrome and bacterial cold water
disease. Drs. Brenda Coomber and Alicia Viloria-Petit, Biomedical Sciences, received nearly $200,000 from
the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) for their studies of the effectiveness of the drug Avastin in treating colorectal
cancer. Dr. Paul Woods, Clinical Studies, and McMaster University’s Brian Lichty were awarded more than
$300,000 from the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation for a veterinary clinical trial using cancer-killing viruses
to treat mammary cancer in cats.
Outreach Activities
• The OVC Mini-Vet School was back again this spring. From retirees to aspiring veterinarians as young as 12,
about 140 people enrolled in the third edition of the program that offered four evenings of lectures on a wide
variety of topics related to animal and human health.
• The OVC Health Sciences Centre continues to reach out to referring veterinarians by hosting General
Practitioner Rounds. Each of the free evening sessions focuses on a different topic and features discussions
based on recent cases at the OVC Health Sciences Centre. Topics this spring included emergency and critical
care, oncology, and internal medicine.
• The OVC’s rich history and bright future were on display in Toronto at the 2012 Ontario Veterinary Medical
Association (OVMA) conference. The college’s presence at the event was anchored by three booths at the OVMA
trade show — the OVC Health Sciences Centre, OVC 150, and OVC Pet Trust Fund — as well as OVC faculty
members who led numerous talks and lectures featured in the conference program.
• OVC students helped raise $3,000 for community development in Laos by drawing and submitting sketches of
chickens to Aeroplan. The money will buy 600 chickens for a Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) project in
Laos that aims to boost poultry production and help villages raise healthier animals through improved
agricultural practices and ecosystem health.
Programs and Infrastructure
• Congratulations to the team at the OVC Health Sciences Centre and the Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare
Centre for achieving accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). The comprehensive
evaluation includes a quality assessment of facilities, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health care
management. This is a significant achievement and shows that OVC meets a standard attained by only 15% of
practices in Canada and the United States.
• The OVC Health Sciences Centre (HSC) has weathered the tough economic times of the past few years and is
now seeing an increase in caseload and client revenue. Dr. Sherri Cox, associate dean administration and chief
operating officer of the HSC, is working with faculty and staff to implement changes aimed at focusing on the
client experience, improving efficiency, supporting clinical education, and fiscal viability. While our caseload has
not yet returned pre-recession levels, the HSC finished the fiscal year ahead of forecasts and we’re cautiously
optimistic that caseload and client revenue will continue to increase.
Several new and ongoing initiatives are intended to help ensure that trend continues.
• The College celebrated the grand opening of the first phase of the Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction
Centre (ESMRC) on June 7. The project includes a new 70 x 140-foot stand alone exercise arena, new
examination rooms and upgrades to the existing barn and stable area behind the Equine Sciences / Equine
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Guelph building. The Centre will focus on service to owners, trainers and veterinarians with a particular
emphasis on lameness evaluation, cardio-respiratory evaluation and equine reproduction, providing answers to
important problems facing the equine industry.
• The front entrance to the historic main OVC building has been renovated thanks to funding from the OVC Class
of ’57. The work included new flooring on the stairs, refinishing and staining the front doors, refurbishing the
original light fixtures installing new interior lights, paint and a new bannister.
• Throughout the year, the new OVC Animal Cancer Centre has been under construction, which will include a
linear accelerator. The ACC will provide exceptional cancer care for companion animals, promote
interdisciplinary cancer research and train future generations of cancer-care specialists and scientists in a
world-class clinical setting. Opening this fall, the ACC is supported by donors to the OVC Pet Trust Fund.
• Earlier this year, faculty and staff in the Department of Clinical Studies moved into new offices and
laboratories previously occupied by the Department of Pathobiology
• In December, the U of G Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses (CPHAZ) moved into new research and
laboratory facilities previously occupied by the UofG Animal Health Lab. The new facilities and equipment were
funded in part by a $1-million grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Ontario Research Fund.
The new laboratories will support investigations by more than 40 researchers investigating a monitoring a
variety of zoonotic diseases affecting public health, including food-borne diseases and diseases affecting
companion animals, food animals and wildlife.
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Report on Alumni Affairs and Development: 2011-2012
Clare Olmstead, Senior Development Manager
On behalf of the OVC development team, thank you to our alumni supporters. You are helping to provide the
next generation of student veterinarians with a first class education and you are improving the health and
welfare of all species. We are so grateful for your support and we look forward to continually earning your
confidence.
The Campaign for 2014 - The BetterPlanet Project
The BetterPlanet Project campaign is now in full swing and OVC has been the beneficiary of many generous and
visionary supporters like you. At the end of fiscal 2011-2012, the campaign had achieved $135M of our $200M
goal. Of the $135M raised, $47,012,813 has been donated to support the OVC. Thank you for your incredible
generosity.
OVC 2010/2011 Highlights and 2011/2012 Priorities
150 th Anniversary Sponsorship
Our 150 th anniversary celebrations have been a great success and we look forward to capping the year off with
the finale dinner on November 3. Throughout the year, we have celebrated with students, alumni, the
community, industry, and all levels of government. We are so grateful to our generous sponsors - IDEXX
Laboratories, Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc., Purina Veterinary Diets, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Antech
Diagnostics Canada Ltd, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ontario Veterinary
Medical Association.
Class Projects
2011-2012 has been a big year for OVC and many classes have seen great support and success in their efforts to
launch and/or complete their projects.
The OVC 1950 Memorial Bursary experienced growth this year given the donations made in Dr. Joan Budd’s
name celebrating her 100 th birthday.
The OVC 1957 50 th Anniversary Project finalized their $110,000 goal this year for the restoration of the front
entrance and vestibule of the OVC.
The OVC 1960 Graduate Award reached their $50,000 goal this year supporting Graduate students pursuing
eligibility for American Veterinary Medical Association recognized specialty certification.
The Class of OVC 1961 launched their class project this year, a $25,000 goal supporting 4 th year DVM students
with their external electives outside of North America.
The Class of OVC 2001 completed their fundraising goal of $10,000 to support a bursary for DVM students.
The Class of OVC 2007 launched their first class project with a goal of $5,000 in memory of their classmate Dr.
Erin Leis.
Many OVC classes reached out to their classmates through appeals this year, including OVC 1952, 1955, 1957,
1962, 1969, 1970, 1973, 1975, 2001 and 2007.
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Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre
The Equine Sports Medicine and Reproduction Centre (ESM&RC) opened on June 7. This project builds on OVC’s
historic strength in the area of equine medicine. The ESM&RC will address performance and reproduction
issues for otherwise healthy horses in an area that is separate from the hospital.
This project would not have been possible without the original donors who contributed to the Equine Research
Centre and the donors who supported the construction and equipment that created the Equine Sports Medicine
and Reproduction Centre.
Bovine Education Trust
Fundraising began in earnest for the Bovine Education Trust (BET) last year. To date, we have received our first
corporate donation from Vétoquinol and had a successful direct mail campaign to bovine practitioners. We plan
to build on this success in 2012-2013.
The BET is a joint project between the Ontario Association of Bovine Practitioners and the OVC. It aims to
provide real-life learning opportunities and on-the-job experience for veterinary students who hope to serve
the dairy and beef industries. These external learning opportunities may include stays at large scale dairy
operations or travel to conferences. By engaging in these opportunities students will develop their competence
and confidence and, upon graduation, will be fully prepared to be guardians of Canada’s food supply.
Our goal is to build a $500,000 endowment that will support veterinary students in perpetuity.
Minimally Invasive Procedures and Image Guided Therapy Program
Minimally invasive surgery is a well-established practice in human patients and is now a rapidly growing area of
surgery for animals as well.
The Ontario Veterinary College’s Health Sciences Centre will be the first Canadian Veterinary Organization to
offer a formalized Centre for Minimally Invasive Procedures and Image Guided Therapy. This Centre will allow
us to offer some of the best treatment for pets and will make OVC a leader in this area of clinical practice and
research.
The fundraising goal to create and sustain the Program until it is self-sufficient is $2 million.
Chair in Ecosystem Approaches to Health
This year we will begin to fundraise for a 5-year Chair in Ecosystem Approaches to Health. The Chair will
oversee local, national, and international projects that employ ecosystems approaches to understand and
promote animal and human health within the broader social and ecological context. While the Chair will be
based in the OVC, the teams of researchers working on the projects will be drawn from a multitude of
disciplines across the University.
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The fundraising goal for this project is $1 million.
Pet Trust
The Animal Cancer Centre/Institute for Comparative Cancer Investigation - The creation of the OVC Animal
Cancer Centre (ACC) has been greatly assisted by the OVC Pet Trust Fund, which has been actively fundraising
with a goal of $10 million since 2006. An increased fundraising goal of $15 million was approved by the Pet
Trust board in 2011. This increase allowed for the purchase and installation of a linear accelerator, for
advanced radiation therapy and for initial investments in personnel. The Pet Trust campaign is now in excess of
$10.5 million thanks to the generosity of pet lovers and veterinarians.
Construction of the ACC is nearly complete and is scheduled to open in September.
The Centre will provide surgical, medical, radiation, and investigational therapies; strong clinical cancer
research and translational research bridging basic and clinical research; innovative cancer treatments involving
clinical trials; training and education of veterinarians, specialists and technicians. The ACC will feature a
cryogenic tissue/tumor bank to store biopsy material that will become a valuable resource for global cancer
research.
Pet Trust supports up to $500,000 annually for research studies and graduate DVSc fellowships. Over 400
veterinary practices and 10,000 individual donors continue to support OVC Pet Trust and the various
fundraising initiatives they support on campus.
Last year the OVC Pet Trust celebrated its 25 th anniversary with a sold-out gala on October 13 th at the Granite
Club in Toronto. The event was a huge success attracting 370 guests and raising $239,000 for the Animal
Cancer Centre.
OVC 2011/2012 Fundraising Results
Annual Fund $1,716,076
Major Gifts $2,932,608
Total $4,648,683
Historical Results
2010/2011 $5.8M
2009/2010 $8.1M
2008/2009 $9.5M
2007/2008 $11.1M
2006/2007 $4.0 M
2005/2006 $3.8M
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Report on Communications: 2011-2012
Mr. Barry Gunn, OVC Communications Officer
The role of communications at OVC is to help position the College as a leader in veterinary health care, learning
and research. The portfolio includes writing, editing and photography for OVC and U of G publications, the
College website, marketing and fundraising materials, internal communications as well as media relations and
assisting with special events.
Celebrating OVC 150
We have developed a communications plan to help guide implementation of the variety of activities associated
with the 150 th anniversary celebrations. Part of the project involved updating existing graphics to create new
logos and a consistent brand for OVC 150.
Members of the OVC community are invited to highlight OVC’s
celebrations by adding the logo to email signatures, PowerPoint
slides and more. For details about how to use the logo in a variety of
applications, as well as access to the logos in a downloadable
format, see the graphics guidelines web page on the OVC website.
If you have any questions about how you might incorporate the
150th anniversary logo into your events or materials, contact Barry
Gunn at bagunn@uoguelph.ca.
Website Changes Ahead
Work continues on developing the content for five new websites to enhance the OVC’s online presence. Working
with the Waterloo-based eSolutions Group, we launched the OVC 150 website last year. Watch for new websites
for the following areas to go live in the coming weeks:
• Student Recruitment
• Research and Innovation
• Hill’s Pet Nutrition Primary Healthcare Centre
• OVC Health Sciences Centre
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Honors & Awards Committee Report: 2011-2012
Margaret A. B. Maxwell Memorial Scholarship: Dr. Pauline Delnatte
Proficiency Awards for Phase 4:
1 st: Dr. JillianThatcher
2 nd: Dr. Stefani Warmington
3 rd: Dr. Christina Engels
Phase 3: Allison Grant
Phase 2: Gayla Schwartz
Phase 1: Matthew Kornya
OCVAA Student Spirit Prize: Whitney Degroot
Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association Alumni Awards
Alumni Volunteer Award: Dr. Conrad Van Dijk, OVC '67
Distinguished Alumnus Award: Dr. Gavin F. Hamilton, OVC '52
Young Alumnus of Honor Award: Dr. R. Darren Wood, DVSc 2000
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Proposed Slate of Officers
OVC Alumni Association Board of Directors: 2012-2013
President:
Dr. W. J. Brad Hanna, OVC ‘89
Vice- President:
To be determined
Past- President:
Dr. Janet R. Sunohara-Neilson, OVC ‘07
Secretary:
Dr. Maureen E. Anderson, OVC ‘03
Treasurer:
Dr. Roger J. Thomson, OVC ‘75
Junior Treasurer:
Ms. Monica Marshman, Class of 2014
Directors:
Dr. Dana Allen, OVC ‘76
Dr. Colleen Best, OVC ‘09
Dr. Peter Conlon, OVC ‘80
Dr. Blanaid Donnelly, OVC ‘09
Dr. Lynn Helwig, OVC ‘54
Ms. Sarah Kramer, Representative: Class of 2015
Dr. Jim Millington, OVC ‘69
Ms. Amanda Rosborough, Representative: Class of 2013
Student representative: Class of 2016, to be determined
Stepping down:
Dr. Richard J. Julian, OVC ‘52
Dr. Dean H. Percy, OVC ‘57
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To learn more about how to get involved with the
Ontario Veterinary College Alumni Association please
contact:
Tara Collins
Alumni Advancement Manager
Ontario Veterinary College
phone: 519.824.4120 X54454
Email: ovcaa@uoguelph.ca
www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/alumni/
Ontario Veterinary College
University of Guelph
50 Stone Road
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 2W1
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