College of Veterinary Medicine Western University of Health Sciences

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3rd Annual Draws Record Crowd The College of Veterinary Medicine’s third annual Open House, held on April 5, 2008, welcomed more than 500 Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies, as well as middle school and high school students, their parents, and friends from communities throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Attendance at this annual community-wide educational event has steadily increased each year. Low cost pet micro-chipping, tips on pet care, animal learning exhibits, information on how to become a veterinarian, and of course food, drinks, and ice cream, combined with perfect Southern California weather, drew a record-breaking 2008 crowd. Daniele and her cat “Squidee” with the cat tree they won at the CVM Open House. My Cat Squidee One of my best friends is my cat, Squidee. She is a gray, white, and black tabby. I got her when I was three. I begged my dad to get me a cat because we had a previous cat before that disappeared. When Squidee was three months old a terrible accident occurred. I was leaving to go to preschool. The cat was sitting on top of the opened garage door. Not knowing she was up there we closed the garage door. When we came home that evening we found her inside the garage in shock. We took her into the vet to see what we could do to help because her leg was completely flat. The vet ended up amputating her left back leg saying that she was so young she would not even miss it. When it was all over and she healed she was as happy as a child on Christmas Day. Now she is seven. She will be eight on April 15th 2008. She inspired me to not be scared when something bad happens. When her leg was flattened by the garage, she did not give up. She can run up a tree and climb up a brick wall just as well as any other four legged cat. She is always happy and purring no matter what. She helped me to not be scared when “monsters” were in my closet. When I had a nightmare, I held her so tight. She is one of the best cats you could have. We love each other so much. She will let you do anything to her. If you pull her tail she will just lick you. She is the most well behaved cat I have ever seen. I hope she will inspire you just like she inspired me. Congratulations to CVM students clubs, faculty and staff for their outstanding work, and thank you to the following donors for their support. Bayer Animal Health Brianne E. Brockmeier, DVM 2009 Wendell Cole, DVM Costco D & R Furniture Maria Fahie, DVM Fort Dodge Animal Health Global Dosimetry Hill’s Pet Nutrition Drs. Gary and Shirley Johnston Los Angeles Zoo Mr. Mac McBride Merial Drug Company Mimi’s Café Nestle Purina Pet Care Royal Canin Mr. Gary and Dr. Peggy Schmidt Scrubby Puppy Stater Bros. The Butler Company Ms. Annaluz Wilton 6
PRECEPTOR PROFILE Curtis Eng, DVM, Chief Veterinarian Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens MY LOVE FOR THE EXOTICS came as a result of the endless badgering of my parents to watch Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. I thought for sure I’d be Jim jumping out of the helicopter and landing on that Cape buffalo. But alas I found out that Jim suffers from severe chronic pain associated with those daring episodes so I refocused my goals onto something more practical and less painful. Becoming a veterinarian has been challenging for me given the disdain that my parents had for animals. Growing up in Washington, D.C. (a place with no cows, pigs or sheep, I point out) and in a mammal-free environment (yes, I could have the proverbial goldfish which I cajoled my parents into expanding to some 10 tanks scattered around the homestead), I lived vicariously through all my friends who had cats, dogs, gerbils and the whole gamut of pets. Nevertheless I persevered, obtaining my veterinary degree from Purdue University. I almost became an honorary Hoosier by staying in Indiana for 12 years post graduation. Starting with a small animal/exotic practice where I stayed for seven years while volunteering one day a week at the Lincoln Park Zoo (Chicago, Ill.), I moved on to a small zoo in South Bend, Ind. serving as their Assistant Director/Staff Veterinarian. Following the advice of John Soule’s famous quote,“Go West, young man….” I packed my bags for Phoenix, Ariz. to become chief veterinarian for their Zoo, followed by further westerly travels to Los Angeles where I currently serve in the same capacity. The WesternU Preceptor Program was one of the factors that attracted me to the LA Zoo position. Having had the benefit of some very good mentors in my past, I have strived to serve in the same capacity. Being able to provide advice and guidance, not only regarding clinical issues, but more importantly on career and life issues is an invaluable experience for me. These students come in with wonderfully idealistic attitudes about what veterinary medicine is about, as they should. My goal is to preserve that passion for the profession, but provide a dose of realism that will soften the impact of reality on them once they graduate. Regardless of the life stage at which students come to us veterinarians, I believe it is important for us to serve as role models and sources of information/inspiration for these students. Although our goal at the Zoo is not to convert students into zoo veterinarians, many students find it appealing, but believe the field is far too competitive for them to enter. I agree it is an extremely competitive field, but I remind them that they’ve already jumped the biggest hurdle of their careers by getting into veterinary school. Becoming a zoo veterinarian takes just a little more effort but is easily within their grasps. My goal is to make sure they grasp those opportunities wherever they are. Ten Reasons 10. I don’t know how to do anything else anymore. 9. We won’t be able to say “I’ll go ask the doctor.” 8. No more free VIN membership. 7. I no longer have the attention span to do the same job for more than four weeks at a time. 6. I’m really going to miss disbursement day. 5. We will never ever be able to pay back the debt that we owe. Not just the money, but the overwhelming debt that we all owe to friends and family who’ve kept us going along the way. Why I Don’t Want to Leave the College of Veterinary Medicine By Sara Stoll, DVM ’08 4. I am afraid that no one will ever push us quite as hard or believe in us as much as Pep or Dr. J or any of our beloved faculty have. 3. I am quite certain that I will never be able to organize my life as well as Anna and Renee have organized it the past 4 years. 2. We’ll never be able to come back to campus after a long adventure in veterinary medicine, to find your classmates and faculty welcoming you with open arms. 1. And the number one reason I don’t want vet school to end is that we have to go our separate ways. The best thing about going to vet school at WesternU has always been the people. And I know that I will never feel as much a part of any team or community as I do right now. 7
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Page 5: First Avian Conference Soars at CVM
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Page 13 and 14: Post Grad 2008 Plans NAME IMMEDIATE
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College of Veterinary Medicine Western University of Health Sciences

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