w inter 2010 - The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary ...

Left: Dr. Robert Donnell oversees the Anatomic Pathology laboratory, which includes necropsy (post-mortem) and biopsy (surgical pathologies). The labperforms post-mortem examinations and tests biopsy samples from UTCVM and referral veterinarians. Right: The endocrinology laboratory deals withthe study of glands and hormones and their related disorders. Under the direction of Dr. Jack Oliver, it has gained an international reputation in adrenalabnormalities and is the college’s busiest diagnostic lab.Labs: Unsung Heroes Behind the ScenesWhen a client visits the large or small animalhospitals at the University of Tennessee Collegeof Veterinary Medicine, the client service representatives,students, veterinary technicians and clinicians are the onesthe client interacts with. But clients rarely get a chanceto meet the unsung heroes behind the scenes: the peoplerunning the diagnostic laboratories. Good medicinedemands good diagnostic work.Of the college’s eight diagnostic laboratories, six arehoused within the Department of Comparative Medicine:bacteriology/mycology, endocrinology, immunology,parasitology, pharmacology and virology. Clinical Pathologyand Anatomic Pathology (which includes necropsyand biopsy) are in the Department of Pathobiology.Combined, the labs run diagnostics on more than 100,000samples submitted each year.The labs’ primary function is to support the smallanimal and large animal clinics. They are essential fordiagnosing medical problems and helping to monitorinfectious disease outbreaks. In addition to providingtraining sites for graduate students and direct learningexperiences for veterinary student research, the labs alsoserve the veterinary community at large, receiving samplesfor diagnosis from the region, country and world. Thecollege’s diagnostic laboratories fully integrate teaching,service and research.Left: Dr. Sherry Cox leads the pharmacology laboratory, where the effects of drugs and other chemicals on animals’ biological systems are studied.Right: Dr. David Bemis oversees the bacteriology/mycology laboratory where bacteria and fungi and their interactions with their host animals are studied.4Veterinary vision • winter 2010

A Host of Parasites:“Worms, Bugs, Blood and Guts”Nematode. Ascarid. Coccidia. No, those are notnames middle school students use to taunt eachother. They are parasites, creatures that live off their hosts,and Dr. Sharon Patton has dedicated her entire professionalcareer studying the likes of them.Parasites occur in just about all animal groups, and theparasitology lab at the UT College of Veterinary Medicinereceives samples from all across the country. Patton, aprofessor in the Department of Comparative Medicine,promises to one day write a book called “Worms, Bugs,Blood and Guts.” Until then, she verbally warns studentsof hookworms—those voracious bloodsuckers—and advisesstudents to treat feces with respect, since it containsmany clues to an animal’s health.Diagnosing and monitoring parasites are importantto both pet and human health. While the CompanionAnimal Parasite Council says gastrointestinal parasitesinfect almost 34 percent of the dogs in the United States,and the American Heartworm Society says heartwormsinfect more than 240,000 dogs and 3,100 cats, some of theparasites are zoonotic, meaning they can pass from animalto human and vice versa.Some of the parasites can have dire circumstances forhumans. Baylisascaris, or raccoon roundworm, is foundin raccoon feces, and can travel through the liver, brainor spinal cord. Yet another reason NOT to feed raccoonsaround your home. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of catsthat also infects other animals including people. Only catspass the infective stages in their feces, but other animalsmay have the parasite in their muscles and organs afterthey eat the infective stages. The Centers for Disease Controland Prevention estimates that more than 22 percentof the population 12 years and older in the United Stateshave been infected with Toxoplasma. The disease, toxoplasmosis,is usually not a serious disease in people or cats,although both may develop muscle pain, flu-like illnessand lymphadenopathy. Serious illness may occur in thosewith weakened immune systems, and severe consequencesincluding birth defects, blindness and brain damage may6Veterinary vision • winter 2010

occur in babies born to a mother infected while pregnant.Women who are infected during pregnancy are also at riskof miscarriage. People become infected by eating the parasitein raw or undercooked meat, mussels and oysters, orby accidentally eating soil contaminated with Toxoplasma“eggs” on unwashed hands, fruits or vegetables.Children may become infected with the commonroundworm (called ascarids or Toxocara spp) of dogs andcats, although these worms cannot mature in a person’sintestine. The adult ascarids live in the small intestine ofthe dog or cat and pass eggs in the feces. The ascarid eggsdevelop in the soil and in about four weeks a larval wormis in the eggs. Dogs and cats are infected when they eatthese larvated eggs. When another vertebrate animal (thatincludes people), eats these larvated eggs, the larvae hatchin the intestine, go into the bloodstream and migrate intothe muscles, liver, lungs and other organs. Dogs and catscan also be infected by eating the mature larvae in thetissues of these animals. The worms cannot mature toadults in these animals. If children eat the larvated eggsin contaminated soil, the larvae will migrate into theirmuscles and eyes and produce disease. Each year morethan 700 people infected with Toxocara spp experiencepermanent or partial loss of vision.Last fall, the UTCVM hosted the national meetingof the American Society of Parasitology in Knoxville.Patton, a former president of the society, and Dr. CharlesFaulkner, a clinical assistant professor, were charged withironing out the details: program presenters, properlycooked food, and clean, parasite-free bathrooms. Pattonsays more than 250 people from around the worldgathered to share recent scientific discoveries and remaincurrent on parasites. “The meeting included veterinaryparasitology, human parasitology, physiology, ecologyand life-cycle studies of parasites, as well as diagnosis,treatment and control. Basically, it included everythingyou ever wanted to know about parasites … and more!”Patton says each year the meeting brings people togetherwho may be working on the same problem from differentangles. “Who knows what you really need to know?” shesays. “I might think I know a particular parasite insideand out, until I meet someone who is studying it on themolecular level. That stimulates new thought processesand moves science forward.”the MuffinMysteryBy Karl Snyder, seniormedical technologistII, UTCVM ClinicalPathology LabIt was a day like any other whenthe phone rang, and a lady beganpleading, “I hope you can help me, sir.I’ve been calling all over the city trying tofind someone who can check something to seeif has rodent droppings on it.” She had my attention.I began to turn the problem over in my mind as she told her story. “Iwas eating a breakfast muffin that I’d gotten from a restaurant. I wasabout half finished when I put on my glasses. I was horrified to find acouple of little black things stuck to the box and sitting on top of mymuffin. I called the Health Department and they are going to inspectthe restaurant but they wanted me to have the material examined tosee what it is.”I had considered several things by this point and offered thefollowing: “The only thing we might be able to do is smear it on aslide and stain it. If we see a lot of bacteria that would be about theonly explanation. However, all we could say is ‘it is probably this’ or‘possibly that.’ We couldn’t pin down anything that would hold up incourt.” She assured me that she just wanted to know if she should gosee a doctor.Within an hour she was standing in the lab holding the suspectmuffin in its original container. She pointed to the mysterious contaminants.Katie, our trusty lab assistant, smeared a sample on a slidewhile I pressed some of the brown material on the glucose pad of aurine stick and added a drop of water, getting a very strong positive.I needed more proof before signing off on this case. Lugol’s Iodinerevealed starch; Sudan IV stain lit up the fat globules and I wassurprised to see cholesterol crystals in the confection. “Chocolate,ma’am. Nothing but chocolate.” She looked relieved, perhaps alittle embarrassed, and was grateful for our help. “Pleased to be ofassistance,” I said. “This is a full service lab.”Dr. Sharon Patton (at left with students) is past president ofthe American Society of Parasitologists and the SoutheasternSociety of Parasitologists (SSP), a past member of the ExecutiveCommittee of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents,the Secretary-Treasurer of SSP, a member of the board of theCompanion Animal Parasite Council, and a contributor to severalother scientific societies including the American Associationof Veterinary Parasitologists.Patton’s research interests include diagnostic parasitology,zoonotic parasites (particularly toxoplasmosis), heartworms indogs and cats, and parasite-induced diseases of farm, companionand exotic animals. She is author or co-author of morethan 100 scientific papers and has presented more than 150scientific and service talks.Veterinary vision • winter 2010 7

Undergraduates in the LabIn his second year of college, Stephen Kania walkedinto a research laboratory where a friend was workingand said, “This is it. This is what I’m going to do the restof my life. This fits.” Kania, now an associate professor inthe UTCVM Department of Comparative Medicine, wenton to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology, a master’s inveterinary microbiology and a PhD in veterinary infectiousdiseases.Kania splits his time evenly between teaching, researchand diagnostics. Outside of the classroom, he carries outthese activities in the immunology laboratory. Much of thework in the lab involves molecular diagnostics, moleculargenetics and molecular characterizations. “In terms of thecollege one of our missions is to study infectious diseases,”says Kania. The college’s Center of Excellence in LivestockDiseases and Human Health funds some of the infectiousdiseases research done in his lab. Kania says studyinginfectious diseases is important to both human and animalhealth. Methicillin resistance, a hot topic in human andveterinary medicine, arose in the organisms that infecthumans long before being found in ones that infectanimals. To Kania, that is one of the more interesting andbest reasons to study methicillin-resistant Staphylococcuspseudintermedius in dogs. “Fifteen years ago, you couldn’tfind one of these organisms resistant to methicillin; nowwe’re seeing about 30 percent resistance. On a graph,that’s a quick climb, and we’re very interested in learninghow resistance genes are spread to susceptible organismsand conditions that favor the proliferation of resistantorganisms.” Kania’s lab is studying it locally, nationally andcollaborating with researchers in Europe. The researchteam at the UTCVM includes clinicians, microbiologists,technologists, veterinary students and graduate students.Dr. Linda Frank focuses on transmission between ownersand their pets and Dr. David Bemis leads an effort tocharacterize resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics.Bemis works closely with Kania in teaching undergraduatesthe ins and outs of research.A few years ago, Kania decided to add an undergraduateteaching component when the UT Knoxville McNairSummer Research Institute sent out a call for laboratorieswilling to participate in a graduate school preparatoryinternship. “I had no ideawhat it would be like tohave an undergrad workin the lab.” Kania says.“When Edward Oforicame he didn’t know whatto expect either. He notonly worked in the lab thatyear, but the next summer,too, doing PCR analysisresulting in several publications.He’s a real brightguy who helped train some of our veterinary students whowere doing research projects in the lab.” When it was timefor Ofori to graduate (he’s currently pursuing a PhD inbiomedical engineering), Kania laughingly asked, “Well,are there any more of you?”Kania believes taking courses where students arehanded reagent A and reagent B to mix together to seewhat happens is vastly different than actually getting involvedin a lab on a daily basis, thinking about a researchproject and using initiative.In fact, initiative is usually the way he finds students.“The way I select them is I choose from the ones whofind me,” he explains. “They are going out and contactingpotential researcher mentors, and perhaps they arecontacting 100 researchers. They are saying ‘I want toget research exposure,’ and I think that’s a good indicatorof their commitment.” That’s what Edward Ofori’syounger brother Michael did. During his undergraduatestudies in pre-med, he spent his summers working in theimmunology lab. Three other students, Caroline Cofer,Lauren Liatt and Laura Eberlein, worked in the lab asundergraduates before being accepted to UTCVM. Eachyear, as the students’ skills progress beyond routine tasks,Kania produces more challenging projects. Eberlein, classof 2011, has sequenced the entire 27,000 bp cassette thatcontains the genes responsible for methicillin resistance inS. pseudintermedius.Many undergraduates have limited opportunities tobe involved in a meaningful way with research and havefour years to determine if that career choice is right forthem. Although it is a big investment of time, Kania enjoysencouraging people who show an interest in research.“The students bring a lot of enthusiasm into the labs.They often come in not knowing which end of a pipette tosqueeze,” Kania laughs. “It takes a while before they canmake a large contribution, but for the most part these arevery talented individuals, quick learners. They ask lots andlots of questions and it’s a joy to answer those questions.”Kania says teaching is the bottom line. “My greatestreward is being able to contribute to students’ education.That’s what it’s all about as far as I’m concerned.”8Veterinary vision • winter 2010

Take 2 Aspirin, Buy Stockin Tissues, and Call Me inthe MorningNever one to turn up her nose at a good medical mystery, Dr. Melissa Kennedy and her lab have helpedidentify herpes virus in Asian elephants, were the first to publish that equine herpes could affectgazelles, and were the first to diagnose influenza in giant anteaters, a species listed as near endangered; that’snothing to sneeze at.Kennedy, a veterinarian and clinical virologist with a PhD in Comparative and Experimental Medicine andan associate professor at the college, received a call from Nashville Zoo veterinarian Dr. Sally Nofs who wasconcerned about a 12-member colony of giant anteaters, a near threatened species. An outbreak of respiratorydisease had swept through the colony, affecting all 11 adults. They suffered severe nasal discharge andcongestion, poor appetite and lethargy. Kennedy’s lab needed samples for testing. Nasal samples. From thegiant anteaters.The virology lab at the veterinary college utilizes an electron microscope, a vital piece of expensiveequipment usually only found in academic and research institutions used to identify unknown viruses. Sinceperforming diagnostic work for exotic species is not a moneymaker, not many commercial laboratories areequipped to do it. Kennedy says it’s part of the responsibility of a land-grant institution. “We service communitieslocally, regionally, nationally and internationally helping them with infectious disease problems.Otherwise, they might not have anyone else to turn to for assistance.”Once the samples from the giant anteaters reached the lab, the hunt was on and history was made. Afterisolating the virus from the samples, extensive testing with the electron microscope as well as genetic sequencingshowed the anteaters were infected with a human influenza virus.The flu. Kennedy says the impact on civilization is minimal, but it shows howadaptable the wily virus is. “Just when you think you’ve got them figured out,they’ll do something different.”Kennedy admits she harbors a healthy respect for viruses. “I think they areway cool, but I’m weird,” she laughs and then explains they are the ultimatesurvivors that become intimately involved in the cells they target. “Virusesdon’t set out to kill their host because they are so dependent upon the cell.They’re opportunistic and design ways to elude the host’s defense systemsand use the cell to their advantage. It’s amazing.” Kennedy says all they’rereally trying to do is survive and reproduce their own.But in giant anteater populations, the influenza virus will have to tryto survive without the help of humans. As word of the discovery spreads,management of giant anteaters is changing. “Given the contagious nature ofthe influenza virus, caretakers with respiratory disease should be restrictedfrom caring for giant anteaters.” And it all started with a runny nose.Photo courtesy of Pete MeenenVeterinary vision • winter 2010 9

Needs-basedPopulationHealth Planning:Identifying Barriers toHealth Care Services inthe Appalachian Regionof East TennesseeAbout Dr. Agricola OdoiDr. Agricola Odoi is an assistant professor of epidemiology inthe Department of Comparative Medicine at the Universityof Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, and an adjunctfaculty member in the College of Public and Allied Health atEast Tennessee State University. He is an analytical epidemiologistwith research experience in Uganda, Kenya, Canada and theUnited States. His research interests include the application ofgeographic information systems and spatial epidemiology methodsin the investigation of animal and human diseases, zoonoticinfections of public health significance, and determinants ofpopulation health. He teaches both professional and graduatelevelepidemiology courses at UTCVM.Odoi is also involved in the National Institute for Mathematicaland Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS), a new center based atUniversity of Tennessee and aimed at fostering collaborations oncutting-edge research activities between biology and mathematicsresearchers from across the globe. As part of the institute’sactivities, Odoi and colleagues from Colorado State Universityand the USDA organized an investigative workshop this summerwith the goal of developing new tools to better understandand help with addressing the problem of tuberculosis in cattlein the U.S. Last summer, Odoi also worked with a group ofundergraduate and veterinary students from other universitiesacross the U.S. as part of the NIMBioS’ Research Experience forUndergraduate and Veterinary Students (REU/REV), a programintended to introduce veterinary as well as undergraduate mathand biology majors to research while working together as a team.Outside of work, Odoi enjoys spending time with his dear wife,Evah, their two lovely children, Faithful and Livia, and is activelyinvolved in church activities. Odoi is originally from Ugandawhere he had his veterinary training at Makerere University,Kampala. He completed his graduate training in epidemiology atthe University of Nairobi (Kenya) and the University of Guelph(Ontario, Canada). After completing his PhD at the University ofGuelph, Odoi worked in public health in Canada before joiningthe UTCVM Department of Comparative Medicine. He loves thesouthern weather, countryside and people.By Dr. Agricola Odoi, assistant professor of epidemiology,Department of Comparative MedicineWhen someone suffers from a heart attack orstroke, receiving urgent care is critical. But forpatients in Tennessee’s rural Appalachian communities,can they get to that treatment in time? Dr. Agricola Odoiis answering that question, thanks in part to a two-yearresearch grant from the Greater Southeast Affiliate of theAmerican Heart Association. Odoi’s study, “IdentifyingNeighborhoods Lacking Timely Access to Heart andStroke Care in the East Tennessee Appalachian Region,”will investigate issues related to access to emergency strokeand heart attack medical care.“People living in neighborhoods lacking timely accessto emergency treatments for these conditions may bedisadvantaged,” says Odoi. “Therefore, one of the aimsof the study is to identify communities that, even if anambulance responded in record time to a 911 call, thedriving times to the nearest specialty hospital are too longfor a stroke or heart attack patient to arrive at the hospitalwithin the time recommended by the American HeartAssociation so as to avoid complications or even death.”The study is part of a larger research effort intended toperform health equity analyses in communities in Tennesseewith the long-term goal of identifying barriers to accessand utilization of health care services. The results will beused to guide needs-based population health planning.Stroke and heart attack are serious problems in theUnited States, costing the country $65.5 billion and$156.4 billion annually, respectively. Stroke is the thirdmost common cause of death and the leading cause ofadult disability in the country. Heart attacks account forapproximately 450,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. Theburdens of these conditions in the U.S. vary by geographicallocation, with the highest risks being reported in thesoutheastern states. Compared to other states, Tennesseehas the third- and fourth-highest risk of death from heart10Veterinary vision • winter 2010

Thank you to Abbott Animal Health, Merial Animal Healthand Pfizer Animal Health for their sponsorship of the 2009Anesthesia Crew!The Anesthesia Crew is an extraordinarily successful educational program at UTCVM.Launched in 2004, and initially funded in part by Pfizer Animal Health, the program providesas many as 10 of the very best preclinical veterinary students with an early experience of theclinical environment in the anesthesia service in the Small Animal Hospital. As members ofthe crew, these competitively selected students spend the summer between their second andthird years of veterinary college enhancing their professional development while contributingto the college’s clinical mission. “These students act as key members of our clinical anesthesiaand pain management team working on individual clinical anesthesia patients,” says Dr. RalphHarvey, DVM, MS, DACVA, associate professor and Anesthesia Crew chief. “We insure thesestudents are exposed to a beneficial learning environment, made richer by opportunities toparticipate in a range of activities, including emergency and critical care cases.”In the introductory five years of the Anesthesia Crew, the mutual support, teamwork and sharingof knowledge among crew members and fourth-year clinical students have been impressive.Harvey continues, “Although unexpected, these well may be the most widespread and beneficialoutcomes of bringing these preclinical students into the hospital—we’ve broken down barriersin the curriculum and enriched the educational experience for all.”academic & hospital services updateVeterinary vision • winter 2010 13

2008-2009 Faculty AwardsUT’s Allianceof WomenPhilanthropistspresentedone of its four2009 GivingCircle GrantAwards to Dr.Lilith (Charmi)Mendes-Handagama,ComparativeMedicine, in the amount of$18,000 for her project, “DevelopingNon-surgical Pet Contraceptives.”The winner ofthe 2009 Carl J.Norden-PfizerDistinguishedTeacher Awardwas Dr. RobertHenry, professor,ComparativeMedicine.The 2009 Student Chapter of theAmerican Veterinary Medical Association(SCAVMA) OutstandingEducator of the Year was Dr. Michael(Mickey) Sims, ComparativeMedicine.Dr. India Lane, Small Animal ClinicalSciences and director, EducationalEnhancement for UTCVM, receivedthe Helen B. Watson OutstandingDissertation in the UT College ofEducation, Health and HumanSciences. She also received UT’sOutstanding Faculty Award for herwork advising a student’s doctoraldissertation.Dr. Angela Lusby, DVM ‘04, CEMPhD ‘09, Dipl. ACVN, received thePhi Zeta Excellencein VeterinaryClinical ResearchAward at 2009UT Comparativeand ExperimentalMedicine ResearchSymposium. Lusby is the firstUTCVM small animal resident tocomplete the UT Standard NutritionProgram, and is now a diplomate ofthe American College of VeterinaryNutrition. She is also the recipientof a Waltham Travel Grant andpresented her work at the EuropeanCollege of Veterinary InternalMedicine Congress, held in Portugalin September.Dr. Joseph (Joe) Bartges, DVM,PhD, Dipl. ACVIM and ACVM,professor ofmedicineand nutrition,SmallAnimalClinicalSciences,received the B. Ray Thompson Sr.Outstanding Faculty Award at the2009 UT Institute of AgricultureAwards Day. Bartges holds the AcreeFamily Endowed Chair in SmallAnimal Research.Dr. David Hicks, resident, SmallAnimal Clinical Sciences, receivedthe first endowed Mark BloombergMemorial Research Award for hiswork on gait analysis at the 2009Veterinary Orthopedic SocietyConference. Hicks is a PhD studentin the Comparative and ExperimentalMedicine graduate program atUTCVM.Small Animal Medicine intern Dr.Courtney Kleinhelter was the 2009recipient of the Jessie’s Memorial“Top Doc” Intern Award. The awardis provided annually by Mr. JayRobinson and Ms. Brenda Perry inmemory of their beloved Yorkie,Jessie.The 2009 BrandyMemorial Awardwas presented toUTCVM cardiologistDr. BeckyGompf, SmallAnimal Clinical Sciences, at the 2009UTCVM Honors and Awards Convocation.The annual award is madepossible by Mr. Sherman “Jerry” andMrs. Diane Garrett in memory oftheir beloved dog, Brandy.Adjunct assistant professor inComparative Medicine, Dr. JohnDunn, DVM, PhD, was honoredby the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention with the 2008 JamesH. Steele Veterinary Public HealthAward.Drs. Margo Holland, Steve Kania,David Bemis and H. C. (Robert)Wang, all of Comparative Medicine,received University of TennesseeCenter of Excellence awards inresearch.Pathobiology resident Dr. MarciaIlha received the Young InvestigatorPoster Award for original research atthe annual meeting of American Collegeof Veterinary Pathologists. Ilhaalso received a student scholarshipfrom the C. L. Davis Foundation.Dr. Donald McGavin’s lifetimecontributions to pathology wererecognized with the Farrell LectureshipAward, also sponsored by the C.L. Davis Foundation. McGavin is aprofessor emeritus in Pathobiology.In MemoriamDr. Robert (Bob) Selcer, former professorof neurology in the Departmentof Small Animal Clinical Sciences,died June 13, 2009. Selcer was boardcertified by the American College ofVeterinary Internal Medicine (neurology)and was on the UTCVM facultyfrom 1977 until 2003. He completedthe DVM at Texas A&M Universityand before joining UTCVM, he servedon the faculty at the University of California.Following his retirement fromUT, he remained in the Knoxville area.Selcer is survived by his wife, Peggy,and children Michael and Katie.faculty focusVeterinary vision • winter 2010 17

faculty focusDr. Sherry Cox, ComparativeMedicine, and Dr. Marcy Souza,Small Animal Clinical Sciences, arerecipients of $50,500 in funding fromthe Morris Animal Foundation fortheir work in collaboration with theUniversity of Wisconsin School ofVeterinary Medicine to investigatetramadol, a pain medication, inAmazon parrots. Dr. Cheryl Greenacre,Small Animal Clinical Sciences,has also received funding from theMorris Animal Foundation for herwork evaluating blood levels of painrelievingdrugs in reptiles (beardeddragons).Dr. Beth Hamper, Small AnimalClinical Sciences, received a grantfrom the Winn Feline Foundationto evaluate ways of improving felineimmune function through diet. Shewill be working with CVM’s nutritionfaculty members, Drs. Claudia Kirkand Joe Bartges.Dr. Melissa Kennedy, DVM ’83,PhD ’91, Dipl. ACVM, ComparativeMedicine, was recently elected as amember of the board of directors,Winn Feline Foundation.Dr. Mohammed Reza Seddighi,who recently completed his residencyin anesthesia at UTCVM, has beenappointed as a clinical assistantprofessor in anesthesia, a positionshared by both the large and smallanimal hospitals.Dr. Patricia Sura, Small AnimalClinical Sciences, was honored atthe American College of VeterinarySurgeons’ last meeting with theaward for best clinical publicationin the journal Veterinary Surgery.Her article entitled “Comparisonof 99mTcO4-trans-splenic portalscintigraphy with per-rectal portalscintigraphy for diagnosis of portosystmeicshunts in dogs,” was coauthoredby Drs. Karen M. Tobias,Frederica Morandi, Greg B. Danieland Rita L. Echandi.Dr. Tomas Martin-Jimenez,Comparative Medicine, launchedUTCVM’s new Clinical PharmacologyConsultation Service in May.He and two graduate students, Drs.Nicolas Villarino and Tamara Veiga,provide consultation to the college’sclinicians, residents and interns.Faculty Hires, Promotions,Tenure, Transfers andRetirementsDr. Sherry K. Cox, promoted toclinical associate professor, ComparativeMedicine.Dr. Christine G. Egger, professorwith tenure, Small Animal ClinicalSciences.Dr. Michael M. Fry, promoted toassociate professor with tenure,Pathobiology.Dr. Cheryl B. Greenacre, professor,Small Animal Clinical Sciences.Dr. Tomas Martin-Jimenez,promoted to associate professor,Comparative Medicine.Dr. Elizabeth Strand, promoted toclinical associate professor.Dr. William B. Thomas, promotedto professor, Small Animal ClinicalSciences.Dr. David “Dave” Edwards, professoremeritus and former departmenthead, Pathobiology.Dr. Maria Cekanova, transfer fromPathobiology to Small AnimalClinical Sciences.Dr. Donna M. Raditic,visiting scholar, Nutritionand IntegrativeMedicine Service,Small Animal ClinicalSciences.Dr. Susannah Lillis,clinical assistant professor, Radiology,Small Animal Clinical Sciences.Dr. Malanie J. Perrier, clinicalassistant professor, Surgery, LargeAnimal Clinical Sciences.Dr. Jill Narak, assistant professor,Neurology, Small Animal ClinicalSciences.Dr. Angela Lusby, clinical instructor,Nutrition, Small Animal ClinicalSciences.Dr. Kristie Steuer, clinical instructor,Field Services, Large Animal ClinicalSciences.Dr. Beth Miller Johnson, clinicalassistant professor, Community Practice,Small Animal Clinical Sciences.New DiplomatesDr. Teresa Buchheit, LACS, ACVIMDr. Karen Kalck, DVM, DACVIM–Large Animal, LACSResidents and InternsDeparting House Officers whohave completed their internship orresidency requirements at UTCVMare listed below.ResidentsDr. Matthew C. Allender, ZoologicalDr. David A. Hicks, SurgeryDr. Scott A. Rizzo, MedicineDr. Mohammad Reza Seddighi,Anesthesia, clinical assistant professor,UTCVMDr. Christina M. Wolf, Neurology18Veterinary vision • winter 2010

InternsDr. Sara J. Almon, private practiceDr. Menolly R. Beittenmiller,private practiceDr. Glen A. Bonin Jr., surgicalinternshipDr. Javier Gallegos, private practiceDr. Brian A. Maran, cardiologyresidencyDr. Courtney P. Kleinhelter, privatepracticeStaff NewsNelle Wyatt, LVMT, is the newly appointedreferralcoordinator forthe veterinaryteaching hospital.She handles bothsmall and largeanimal referralsfrom communityveterinarians.Membersof the college’s talented InstructionalResources staff receivedfive distinguished awards at theBioCommunications AssociationConference held in July in Utah. TheBCA is an international professionalorganization of people working inthe biological communications field.Photographer Greg Hirshoren wona Citation of Merit in the Portraitdivision. Videographer BabbetHarbison won a Citation of Merit forDog Bite Prevention in the GraphicsMedia: Specialty category; her entryalso won a BCA Medical EducationAward. Photographer Phil Snow wona Citation of Merit in the Clinicaldivision and an Award of Excellencein the Specimen division. Graphicdesigner Anik Vasington alsoworked on the project. You can seetheir work at http://bca.org/gallery/index.html.Virginia “Ginny” Bleazey, administrativespecialist, Pathobiology,received the E. G. Chapman OutstandingService Award at 2009 UTInstitute of Agriculture Awards Day.New StaffersTammy Berry, grants and contractscoordinator, Research AdministrationPei Wang, research specialist I/technologist, Comparative MedicineDavid Boruff, IT specialist I/CVMwebmasterStaff PromotionsRupal Brahmbhatt, ComparativeMedicine, to laboratory technologistII (senior lab assistant)Staff KudosToni Conatser and Kim Abney,Comparative Medicine, earned theirEnvironmental Health and Safetycertificates for successfully completingLaboratory Hazardous WasteManagement Training.Staff RetirementsJan Grady, LACS, Senior BudgetClerkMarilyn B. Cottrell, ComparativeMedicine, senior laboratory technologistI (research specialist)Interns Completing the VeterinaryTechnician Internship Program atUTCVMHeather GearJennifer NichiporukKayla RegerTalisha SotoThe College is proud to recognize the accomplishments and contributions ofthe CVM Outstanding Employee for Fall 2009, Michele Wilson. Michele'sCVM career began in 2003, and she is now a Licensed Veterinary TechnicianLevel II and works on the Oncology Service in the Department of SmallAnimal Clinical Sciences.The College of Veterinary Medicines (CVM)Outstanding Employee Award recognizesexemplary performance, dedication, commitmentand compassion of a college employeetwice yearly. Nominations are considered bythe college's Awards Committee, made up ofrepresentatives from throughout the college.Her co-workers call Michele an irreplaceablemember of the Oncology Service and describeher as knowledgeable, committed and professional.Michele is lauded for consistently puttingthe well-being and interests of her patientsand clients before anything else, many timesstaying past the usual 8-5 workday to assistwith sick patients. In developing an amazingrapport with clients, her caring nature becomes apparent. Students alsoappreciate Michele's supportive, positive and helpful attitude as she teachesthem the skills considered important on their oncology rotation.In receiving the award, Michele (in typical Michele fashion) said theOutstanding Employee Award was for all her fellow technicians who workside-by-side in the hospital.faculty focusVeterinary vision • winter 2010 19

alumni and developmentPegasus HelpsPay it ForwardCompany Gives Wings toCorporate ResponsibilityAngel was at death’s door. Her gums were black andlegs were cold. After her veterinarian in MiddleTennessee resuscitated Angel, owners Jeff Ray and NancyYonko had the 2-year-old Tennessee Walking Horserushed to the large animal hospital at UTCVM whereshe was diagnosed with colitis (an infection of the largecolon which erodes the organ’s lining) and life-threateningendotoxemia. She was even showing signs of laminitis.Dr. Steve Adair, associate professor of equine surgery,decided to try an aggressive form of treatment and use hyperbaricoxygen therapy (HBOT) on Angel. With HBOT,the patient is placed in a chamber that delivers pressurizedoxygen, and while there wasn’t any published data onHBOT use with horses, the experimental therapy had beenshown to speed up the process of regenerating the liningof the colon. UTCVM is the only veterinary college inthe country with an on-site HBOT chamber. The ownerswere ready for any option. “Not everyone is meant to ownan animal,” Ray says. “But if you are, then you have theresponsibility and obligation to take the best care possibleof that animal. In doing so, you have to be willing to allowthe doctors to gain additional knowledge through tryingnew therapies and techniques.” Ray says exploring optionsand learning from the experience allows the veterinariansto treat the next horse more effectively and efficiently. Thatis part of their passion. “That process moves the collegeforward in doing what it’s supposed to do—educate, doresearch and push science to the next level.”High levels of oxygen get into the bloodstream andimprove circulation, enhancing the healing process. Aweek and 10 HBOT treatments later, Angel was showingdramatic improvement and soon went home, but onemonth later, she developed abscesses in her front hooves.It was back to Knoxville for treatment where Adair hadto remove the entire front wall of her hoof. Within fourmonths, Angel had grown a whole new hoof wall. Fouryears later, she’s in “fashion clogs” (i.e., Steward Clogs) anda spunky member of the family.In addition to taking animal ownership seriously, Ray,owner of Pegasus Paper Products and a UTCVM advisoryboard member, is passionate about corporate responsibility.Pegasus Paper Products, created in 2007, is an onlinecompany that sells high quality equestrian-themed giftwraps, bags and accessories. The company’s philosophyis pay it forward. For each item sold, a portion of theproceeds benefits the UT College of Veterinary Medicineand HBOT. “People are tired of bailouts and handouts,but they don’t mind spending money if they know theirmoney is going to support a good cause.” Ray believes thatbusinesses become great through philanthropy and beingactive civic-minded members in the community. “Manypeople ahead of us helped get the college where it is today,and many more in the next generations will come alongbehind us. That’s how good things get done.” Ray believesmaintaining a strong college of veterinary medicine isessential to Tennessee’s agricultural industry. “We can’tafford not to have a strong veterinary college from a foodsafety standpoint, from a large animal care standpoint, andfrom a small animal care standpoint. We have an obligationto make this college successful as residents of Tennesseeand as animal owners.”After Angel’s illnesses and before birthing Pegasus Paper Products, Jeff Ray and NancyYonko worked tirelessly with the horse industry to raise funds for a new HBOT unit. Thenew unit has been in place since 2007 and many horses have been treated. Ray says he’stouched anytime he sees a horse being treated in the HBOT unit. One horse, in particular,stands out: Pattycake. Third-degree burns covered almost 60 percent of her body, from herneck to her tail, following a barn fire. It was the worst burn case Dr. Adair had ever seen,and he wasn’t sure she would survive. In addition to antibiotics and skin grafts, HBOTwas part of her healing process. Ray, who doesn’t know her owners, says he feels proudwhen he sees Pattycake or hears about her magnificent progress. “I get to see how thediscoveries made with Angel and the new HBOT unit helped Pattycake. We’re tiny fish,but when a whole bunch of us work together, we create a big school.”20Veterinary vision • winter 2010

Alumni AwardsDr. David “Hank” Wright, ’88, of Collierville, Tennessee,received the 2008 Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association’sOutstanding Practitioner Award for his commitmentto providing exceptional treatment, unselfishly giving ofhis time and service to his clients and the community, andelevating the standards of veterinary practice. Wright is apartner in the Collierville Pet Hospital.The 2008 UTCVM Distinguished AlumniAward WinnersPrivate Practice AwardDr. Corey Miller, ’94, co-founding partner, Equine MedicalCenter, Ocala, FloridaFirst Decade of Achievement AwardDr. Kristi Lively, ’99, co-owner, Village Veterinary andLaser Center, Farragut, TennesseeNon-private Practice AwardDr. Teri Rowles, ’80, national coordinator, protectedresources, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Division of theNational Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA)theAnnualDonorHonor Roll of Givingwww.vet.utk.edu/givingThe Annual Donor Honor Roll of Giving for thegift period of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009is now available on UTCVM’s Web site atwww.vet.utk.edu/giving.Thank you for your continued support for theCollege of Veterinary Medicine!alumni and developmentThank you for your interest inPegasus Paper Products! We’dlike to offer you a 25% savingson your entire order when youshop at our secure web site,www.pegasuspaper.comPlease enter code UT25 for eachitem during the checkout process.We appreciate your interest andyour business.Veterinary vision • winter 2010 21

alumni and developmentPhoto courtesy of Bovine Veterinarian MagazineTennessee Taps UTCVM Alumfor State VetAdd state veterinarian to the many jobs Dr. CharlesHatcher has tackled. Tennessee Department ofAgriculture (TDA) Commissioner Ken Givens announcedHatcher’s promotion in May. In a TDA news release,Givens said, “We’re excited to have Dr. Hatcher step intothis new role as state veterinarian. His knowledge andexperience will be a continued asset to the agency.” Thestate veterinarian is charged with protecting and monitoringanimal health.After graduating from the UT College of VeterinaryMedicine in 1984, Hatcher worked in private practice inKentucky 10 years before returning to his family farm inCollege Grove, Tennessee, to establish a mixed animalpractice and reopen the dairy with his family. Hatcher,whose areas of expertise include dairy and beef productionmedicine, reproduction and nutrition, has alsoserved as president of the American Association of BovinePractitioners.Hatcher has worked for more than fiveyears as TDA staff veterinarian and wasresponsible for the state’s livestock premisesregistration program, disease monitoringactivities for sheep and cattle, and alsosupervised the statewide team of animalhealth technicians.As state veterinarian, Hatcher is responsiblefor certification and enforcementof animal health standards required forinterstate and international commerce oflivestock and livestock products. He alsoworks with federal animal health officials inaccrediting Tennessee’s approximately 1,000practicing private veterinarians.Hatcher says animal health is closelytied to public health and vital to the state’sagricultural economy. “I look forward toworking with producers and our partners tocontinue the level of animal health serviceand protection that Tennessee is known for,”said Hatcher. “I’m pleased to work with adedicated team of animal health professionals,including assistant state veterinarianPhilip Gordon, who tirelessly serves thecitizens of Tennessee each day.”Hatcher succeeds Dr. Ron Wilson, whopassed away last year. During his 25 yearswith TDA—more than eight of them as stateveterinarian—Wilson was instrumental inhelping to expand animal disease diagnosticservices statewide.Hatcher says filling Wilson’s shoes willbe a difficult task. “He was an exceptionalveterinarian and served the state for manyyears, and I hope to build upon his legacy.”Information from the Tennessee Departmentof Agriculture22Veterinary vision • winter 2010Dr. Charles Hatcher (CVM ‘84) was recently namedTennessee State Veterinarian. He’s pictured with hisdaughter Jennifer (CVM ‘05) on the Hatcher family farm.

Knox County First-GradeStudents Receive New‘Rufus’ DVDUTCVM continued its program to prevent dog bites lastspring with the help of new materials and an old friend.Rufus, the lovable canine-costumed star of the college’sdog bite prevention campaign, is the star of a new awardwinningvideo, brochure and bookmark. Knox Countyfirst-graders—all 4,750 of them—received the educationalmaterials during the 2009 Dog Bite Prevention Week (May17-23).volunteer spiritIn the new DVD, Rufus, the lovable, canine-costumedstar, clearly teaches children not to attempt to hug a dogto show affection. The video and corresponding materialsreplaced annual classes for children held at the college.A special news conference at Inskip Elementary Schoolkicked off the DVD distribution. The event featured Rufusand a Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) volunteerdog to reinforce the lessons on the video. Along withthe DVD, a survey was provided for parents and guardiansto complete. Comments on the completed surveys werevery encouraging, and parents said without exception howmuch they appreciated the training the DVD provided.With this DVD distribution, the program’s total number ofcontacts, including brochures and bookmarks, increasedto more than 10,000. This figure does not include another5,000 visits to the Dog Bite Prevention Program’s Web siteor teachers’ packets delivered to 160 elementary schoolteachers in Union, Loudon and Claiborne counties. Theprogram continues to spotlight Rufus at the college’sR espect U nderstanding F riendly U nfriendly Stay awayannual spring open house, and HABIT volunteers conductdog bite prevention classes for children in public schoolsand other venues in Knox and surrounding counties.UTCVM has won several awards for the program, includinga BioCommunications Association Citation of Meritin both the Medical Education Specialty Category andGraphics Media. The DVD won the college a Silver Daveyin the Fifth Annual International Davey Awards for 2009.Financial support for the Knox County DVD distributionwas provided by local plastic surgeon Dr. Tom Gallaherand PetSafe Village.Knox County ranked third in the state in the number ofoutpatient dog bites in 2007 with a total of 497 incidents,a decrease from 541 bites in 2006. But the program aimsto reduce the number more dramatically with this neweducational approach. Experts say that education can helpprevent most dog bites, and UTCVM Professor MichaelSims says that “first-graders can easily absorb the messagespresented in the DVD.”UTCVM’s goal is to distribute DVDs to all first-gradeteachers across Tennessee. The DVD contains all of thematerials that teachers need to present the total programto their classes. Additionally, these teachers will be able toshare their DVDs with other elementary teachers, parentsand friends in their communities.The UTCVM Dog Bite Prevention Program depends ondonations to continue reaching children with this importantinformation and training. For more information,please go to www.vet.utk.edu/dogbiteprevention andwww.vet.utk.edu/giving.Veterinary vision • winter 2010 23

It’s all about Litter ControlRemote Area Medical comes to LincolnMemorial UniversityPet overpopulation touches every community, whetheror not it can afford it. This past summer, CAIT teamedwith Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) and RemoteArea Medical (RAM) to provide free veterinary care at aRAM expedition in Harrogate, Tennessee. Eight veterinarystudents, two college staff members and four CAITmembers volunteered their weekend to help spay/neuterand vaccinate 268 pets at the clinic. “These students gaveup a summer weekend to join volunteers from around thecountry to help this community and its animals. The ownerswere courteous and thankful for the opportunity toreceive basic veterinary care for their pets. It’s easy to say,‘a spay or neuter only costs X amount of dollars,’ but forsome people, that X amount is groceries for the week.” Jenningssays RAM events are eye-openers for many students.Tennessee Animal Care and Control ConferenceFor the second time in as many years, CAIT partneredwith the Animal Control Association of Tennessee(ACAT) and the Tennessee Humane Association (THA) tohold the Tennessee Animal Care and Control Conferenceat the Embassy Suites Hotel in Franklin, Tennessee. Morethan 100 attendees ranging from animal control officers,humane investigators, animal care staff, shelter managersand executive directors, to veterinarians and technicianshelped to make last year’s conference a huge success.Jennings says the conference helps create a strong supportnetwork among those working with animals. “These folksare important in every community across the state; manyplay a role in public health as well as reuniting familiesand their pets.” The in-state conference allows agencies toparticipate in affordable training opportunities.New Laws for Animals in TennesseeRecently, two laws were passed by the Tennessee legislaturethat will interest pet owners across the state. One newlaw authorizes municipalitieshaving a population ofat least 100,000 (Chattanooga,Clarksville, Knoxville,Memphis and Nashville) toestablish an ordinance thatwill allow the presence ofa patron’s companion doginto outdoor dining areas ofa restaurant, if the ordinanceprovides for adequatecontrols to ensure compliancewith the TennesseeFood, Drug, and CosmeticAct and any other applicablestatutes and ordinances.Another law, the CommercialBreeder’s Law, pertainsto those who sell cats and dogs in Tennessee. While therules and regulations are still being written for this newlaw, it took effect in January 2009 and will aid animalcontrol officers and state inspectors in shutting downpuppy mills in the state.The CAIT Spay & Neuter HelplineCall 1-866-907-SPAY (7729) to learn if there are any spayand neuter opportunities in your community. The helplineitself and the part-time worker hired to answer the phoneare funded by PetSafe Village.volunteer spiritFor more information on any projects described above,please visit the CAIT Web site at www.vet.utk.edu/cait, ore-mail Teresa Jennings, CAIT Program Administrator, atCAIT@utk.edu.Veterinary vision • winter 2010 25

volunteer spiritHABIT VolunteersRemember Our Veteransby Karen J. Armsey, program coordinatorAt the UT College of Veterinary Medicine, the WarDog Memorial stands watch outside the frontentrance to remind us not only of the special servicescanine companions performed in combat, but also of thespecial connection between people and dogs. Human-Animal Bond in Tennessee (HABIT) volunteers have beenusing that bond to brighten the lives of veterans and otherresidents at the Ben Atchley State Veteran’s Home sinceit opened in early 2007 in the Hardin Valley Road area ofKnox County.As a new HABIT program coordinator, I joined GaryGreenwald, an Air Force veteran, and his HABIT dogLilly back in June to visit the 140-bed facility as part of myorientation process. Walking the halls with Gary and thechocolate Labrador retriever, I heard residents’ stories andsaw their smiles as Lilly worked her quiet magic. At eachstop, Gary would tell me the resident’s career accomplishmentswhile Lilly made her visit. Gary instructed Lillyto “visit,” and she would place her muzzle on the knee orbedside of the resident, making herself available to handsmade frail by age and illness.One of the first gentlemen we met played football for theUniversity of Tennessee and went on to play professionally.He is still a big man, but he no longer speaks or moves freely.However, he does smile with recognition when Lilly entershis room. It was obvious that she was going to bless everyoneshe met in the facility with her gentleness and affection.In memory of HABIT volunteer cat, Smudge…As we entered the day room on the Alzheimer’s unit,several gentlemen turned their heads to watch Lilly, andsome were able to call out to Gary and Lilly to visit them.Gary chatted with each man in turn while Lilly nuzzledhands and smiled into their faces. Lilly visited throughoutthe room, and even shared some of her joy with the staff.Clearly, it wasn’t just the residents who looked forward toHABIT visits: several staff persons knelt to get their “furryfix” and a moment of stress relief, too.Lilly has some lady friends at the Ben Atchley StateVeteran’s Home, too. We made a point to stop by MissReethra’s room because she really loves to see Lilly. MissReethra is a tiny little lady whose face broke into a hugesmile when Lilly came to her bedside. There was no doubtthat this visit was a good thing.Another one of Lilly’s special stops was to see Loula. Loulais blind and deaf; she spends her day curled up in her bedwith very limited movement and interaction with others.When Loula realized that Lilly was under her hand, shebecame animated, and spoke to and petted Lilly. Gary saysthat Loula always thanks him for bringing Lilly, and it’seasy to see why.While we were walking through the halls, a visitor askedus to be sure to visit her parents, who are both residentsat the facility. Bill and Gracie share a room and arealways happy to see Lilly. In this little picture of shareddomesticity, all that was missing for them was a dog. Sowhen HABIT volunteers visit their room, they are pictureperfect and all smiles. A sense of normalcy is another oneof the gifts a HABIT dog can bring to a residential facilitythat seems more hospital, sometimes, than home.After we finished making the rounds, Gary shared withme that Lilly has a special friend who waits in his motorizedchair at the front door. Though James doesn’t go outanymore, he has a friend bring him treats to share withLilly on her visits. This isn’t lost on Lilly, as she now knowsJames by sight in his cap and chair, waiting at the frontentrance. HABIT dogs don’t eat on their visits, but Garytakes the treat and gives it to Lilly; this small gift betweenfriends, at the end of her visit, is enjoyed by all parties.HABIT volunteer cat, Smudge, who belonged to CVM studentClare Scully, ’11, passed away in spring 2009. A big, handsomecat, Smudge was a very laid-back feline who spent many of hisHABIT volunteer hours at Knoxville’s Shannondale NursingHome where residents and staff members admired and strokedhim. The friendly, stress-free visits from Smudge and Clarewere always beneficial to all. Thank you, Smudge and Clare!So, just as dogs have worked side-by-side with ourveterans, they continue to work in the Ben Atchley StateVeteran’s Home to share that special bond between peopleand animals. Wherever HABIT animals go, they bringsmiles, happier memories and an opportunity to sharestories and a moment’s normalcy.26Veterinary vision • winter 2010

Veterinary Social WorkBenefits from Generosity of ManyUpcoming VSW EventsBimonthly Pet Loss Support GroupThis group offers support for those grieving the loss of abeloved companion animal. It is open and free to the public.If you would like to attend or your know someone who wouldbenefit from attending, please call the VSW Helpline at 865-755-8839 or visit www.vet.utk.edu/socialwork.volunteer spiritSecond Annual Veterinary Social Work Summit, May 2010In 2008 VSW hosted the first ever conference dedicated tohuman-animal relationships in the profession of social work.We are looking forward to facilitating this event again next year.NewsUTCVM’s Student Veterinary Social Work Award wasrenamed this year to honor program founder Dr. ElizabethStrand. The 2009 recipient of the Elizabeth Strand VeterinarySocial Work Award was Sarina Lyall.Dr. Elizabeth Strand, Director, VSWThrough the caring and generosity of many, manypeople, the UT Veterinary Social Work programhas been able to expand its facilities and provide quiet,comforting spaces for clients in need. Those of us whoare a part of VSW are so thankful to be able to offer ourservices in such soothing facilities. Offering this type ofcompassion would not have been possible without thesegenerous gifts—and for that, we thank you!The VSW Mural—Through the generosity of Sheila andDavid Davis and their son, Chad, we now have a stunningmural to honor the beautiful memory of ChannonChristian—a longtime friend of Chad’s. The upliftingmural represents everything that is Tennessee, includingstreams, fishes, cardinals, raccoons and even a baby bear!The mural was presented to the Christian family andtheir friends, who expressed their great appreciation forthe memorial. It is located just outside the VSW FamilyRoom, contributing to an area of the college that providescomfort and support for all.The Garden—Through the generosity and vision of longtimeUTCVM supporters Julie Watts and Bob DeVault,VSW now has a “green” space for clients, faculty, studentsand staff to use when they need a little quite time to takea break, enjoy nature, and be with beloved animals out inthe fresh air. The garden is located on the greenway acrossfrom the John and Ann Tickle Small Animal Hospital, justalongside the War Dog Memorial. Phase I of the gardenproject included preparing the site, installing the hardscaping,and placing the key plantings that will grow upand around the space to provide privacy for those usingthe garden.The VSW Family Room—Through the vision and supportof Beth Needham and James Pierce, as well as thecompassionate support of leadership at the UT College ofVeterinary Medicine, VSW now has a Family Room. Theroom provides a quiet, contemplative space where clientscan visit with or think through difficult medical decisionsinvolving their companion animals. It is also a place wherefaculty, staff and students can discuss “matters of the heart,”as Dr. Elizabeth Strand, VSW director, says. Additionalgenerous donors who made this room possible include theUTCVM Companion Animal Fund, Dr. and Mrs. RobertDenovo, Sandra Harbison, Dawn Hobby, Dr. Brian Maran,JoEllen Meredith, Mr. and Mrs. Barney McConkey, IsabelMcCoy, Mr. and Mrs. Fred McMurray, Becky Moses, SallyPardue, Mr. and Mrs. Bob Sinclair, Dr. Matt Stevens, Mr.and Mrs. Carl Tindell, and Dr. Prudence Walker.Veterinary vision • winter 2010 27

NONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGEPAIDPERMIT NO 481KNOXVILLE, TNUT is an EEO/AA/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Institution.DOUBLE THE VALUE OF YOUR GIFTin support of theLarge Animal HospitalExpansion ProjectSpecial limited time matching giftopportunity offer by UTThe University of Tennessee will match, dollar-for-dollar,gifts and pledges of at least $12,500 to the UT College ofVeterinary Medicine for the next year. Your gift funds willbe used to help renovate and expand the Large AnimalHospital to better serve you and the equine and farm/foodanimal industries of Tennessee. Numerous naming opportunitiesare available to recognize people or animals importantto you.All gifts and pledges must be paid in full by March 15, 2011,to qualify for the matching UT funds.For more information or to make a gift or pledge, pleasecontact Claire Eldridge, UTCVM Development Office, at865-974-6477 or celdridge@utk.edu.Thank You!