Wildcat Veterinarian Spring 2025

wildcatveterinarian

is produced by the Department of Marketing and Communications

Audrey Hambright

Joe Montgomery

Kelsey Grimm

Wendy Barnes

Rylee Coy

Dean’s Office

College of Veterinary Medicine

Kansas State University

101 Trotter Hall

Manhattan, KS 66506-5601

785-532-5660

vet.k-state.edu

ourmission

Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to the advancement of health and welfare of animals, people, the environment and the veterinary profession through excellence in teaching, research, service and outreach.

We are committed to a professional degree program with broad training opportunities across a comprehensive range of companion and exotic animals, and livestock species. Our focus is on initiatives that address important societal needs at a local, national and global level.

ourvision

Exceptional teaching. Impactful research. Outstanding service. Extraordinary graduates.

getsocial

Like us, follow us and watch us:

On the cover: Third-year student Amber Eggenberger practices horse hoof health during an equine podiatry class in the Equine Performance Testing Center. Story on page 39.

Right: Third-year student Kenzie Jones evaluates feed samples during the field disease investigation class at the K-State Dairy. Story on Page 14. Photos by Audrey Hambright.

A visual representation of the Class of 2028. By Kelsey Grimm Dilemma in the dairy

Research links spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza with cattle milking. By

Joe Montgomery

Veterinary students receive hands-on training in one of the college’s most popular rotational classes. By Audrey Hambright

Joe Montgomery

How veterinary social work supports mental health and human-animal bonds.

By Rylee Coy

The Equine Performance Testing Center provides opportunities for advanced healing and paves the path for expansion. By

Audrey Hambright

By Rafael Garcia

Empowering the Students of Today - Veterinarians of Tomorrow

By Hodes Family Dean Bonnie Rush

The landscape of academic veterinary medicine is rapidly changing. With 12 new colleges of veterinary medicine coming online nationally, Kansas State University will remain a competitive leader by staying true to our four pillars. Examples of exceptional teaching, impactful research, outstanding service and extraordinary graduates can be found throughout this issue. Our commitment to these four tenets ensure K-State will continue attract strong professional degree candidates and maintain national recognition for research that guides global decisions for veterinarians and policymakers.

K-State graduates are known for their practical problem-solving and technical skills. The stories on the Field Investigation rotation and model development for Clinical Skills demonstrate the commitment of faculty and staff to ensure this legacy continues. We continue to focus on the affordability of the DVM degree. In the past seven years, we have worked to more than double the scholarship endowment (from

$13.8M to $30.7M). Thank you to all of you who have contributed to student scholarships! The increase in distributed scholarships allowed us to develop the matching program for students pursuing external scholarships. It is important for us to help students who are helping themselves through competitive scholarships from corporate and non-profit organizations (Page 18).

Dr. Jürgen Richt will soon be inducted into the National Academy of Medicine, the pinnacle of lifetime achievement awards. This honor was determined prior to his most recent work. Dr. Richt led an international collaboration to determine the pathophysiology and disease transmission of H5N1 HPAI, resulting in a Nature publication within six months of disease emergence. The timeliness and detail of this contribution is unprecedented and highlight his team’s expertise and agility in emerging, zoonotic diseases. There are precious few

Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush

research teams in the world that could deliver this outcome. Faculty expertise and resources ensure K-State is on the forefront of infectious disease research. Read more about the work of college researchers including Dr. Richt on Pages 24 through 26.

Every state has a Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, but not every college of veterinary medicine maintains responsibility for the state diagnostic laboratory. The Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL) serves all 105 counties in the state of Kansas, while remaining an important educational and investigational resource for the college. The KSVDL is an unsung hero, providing critical data to allow efficient and effective treatment of veterinary patients of every size and discipline. Their work saves lives, prevents livestock loss, enhances productivity, serves wildlife preservation, and even ensures the safety of water supplies. The story on Page 40 shares more details about the important work of this state resource.

The Veterinary Health Center (VHC) is our most important textbook to prepare practice-ready graduates. Training in emergency, primary, specialty, and ambulatory care is provided for veterinary students and advanced trainees, ensuring the future of the profession is prepared to work in a wide range of practice situations. In addition, the VHC is an important regional resource through provision of exceptional patient care for pets, livestock and exotic animals. Not every college of

veterinary medicine maintains a teaching hospital. The impact of this resource should never be taken for granted. Many of the stories in this issue touch on the life saving activities of VHC faculty and staff.

This issue of Wildcat Veterinarian highlights the expertise of K-State faculty, staff, students and alumni. We hope you can feel their compassion and commitment to the greatest profession on the planet!

Daniel Madden, a graduate research assistant in Dr. Jüergen Richt’s Center of Excellence for Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, tests samples for research on swine diseases. See the story about Dr. Richt’s important work on Page 24.

Dr. Lisa Pohlman works with second-year students on slide techniques. She was recognized by the K-State Alumni Association with this year’s Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching. See story on Page 17.

Triumphant trio

christinea Wagner | danqin li | Gabrielle Mcgee

Friendship helps third-year students navigate their way through veterinary school.

By Joe Montgomery

Veterinary medicine, music, meals — and memories.

These are some of the pursuits that have brought together a trio of third-year veterinary students. While the three students had not met before attending the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, it seemed inevitable that their roads would lead to Manhattan for new adventures together.

Christinea Wagner is originally from Washington state, but has lived in Manhattan for the past five years. She came to K-State with an undergraduate degree in psychology already in-hand from Seattle University, with the intent to complete her science prerequisites to apply to veterinary school.

“Since I completed two years in an undergraduate program, I was awarded an additional undergraduate degree in veterinary medicine from K-State after completing my first two years in veterinary school,” she says.

Christinea and her husband were stationed at Fort Riley several years prior to choosing to apply for veterinary school.

“We knew about the veterinary school here, and we kind of kept that in mind as a place that might allow us to stay together, given my husband’s military career,” Christinea says.

Gabrielle McGee came from the complete opposite side of the country – North Carolina – but for similar reasons.

“I did my undergrad here at K-State and received my bachelor’s in biology. I also received my master’s degree in veterinary biomedical sciences from K-State,” she says. “I ended up in Kansas because my husband was in the US Army and stationed at Fort Riley.”

The third part of their trio traveled to K-State, not from across the country, but from across the globe.

“My name is Danqin [pronounced like Dan-Chin], and I’m originally from Chengdu, China,” says Danqin Li. “I finished my undergrad study at Sichuan Agriculture University, where I majored in animal and plant quarantine studies.”

“Christinea and I were trying to figure out where we were going to sit in the lecture hall during the first week of classes,” Gabrielle says. “We saw Danqin sitting by herself and we just said, ‘Let’s go sit with her.’ After that, we just sat together again every day. We were pretty much inseparable from that moment on!”

Values of friendship

Just in the way that their trio came together in unique fashion, they each have their own special interests within veterinary medicine. Christinea is interested in shelter medicine, Danqin enjoys research and swine medicine, and Gabrielle likes exotics and wildlife. Supporting each other while having different interests and being members of different clubs among them has expanded their opportunities.

“Gabrielle might share an opportunity that involves exotic animals sometimes, a field I’m not usually involved in,” says Danqin. “Without her or Christinea, I might miss out on valuable experiences. I’m grateful they’re so willing to share the opportunity and encourage me to try new things.”

Christinea says her favorite is when they went to a swine wet lab. Something she and Gabrielle had never considered as they thought it was only for swine club members. Danqin convinced them otherwise.

“We learned how to do restraint and collect a blood sample from the jugular vein and about entering and exiting the research facility while maintaining biosecurity,” Gabrielle says. “It was a cool experience because I had never done that before, but knowing that Danqin had done it and knew what we were supposed to do, gave me more confidence in doing something I was unsure about.”

First-year welcome session

First-year jitters are common — and even expected — when starting veterinary school. It was no different for Gabrielle who found herself at first-year orientation a bit nervous, without knowing anyone.

“It can feel isolating when you go somewhere and you don’t really know anybody,” Gabrielle says.

Fortunately, Christinea introduced herself to Gabrielle during orientation. She asked Gabrielle if she could sit with her to which she enthusiastically responded, “Yes, please!”

“And that’s how we met,” Gabrielle says. “We hung out the whole day and talked about how nervous and excited we were to be staring veterinary school.”

Christinea and Gabrielle would not meet Danqin until after orientation.

Left: Meet third-year students Christinea Wagner, Danqin Li and Gabrielle McGee. Photo by Gabrielle McGee

Above: Danqin holds a cat for Christinea while she listens through her stethoscope. Photo by Gabrielle McGee

Right: Gabrielle and Christinea prepare for large animal classes in Mosier Hall. Courtesy Photo.

As friends, they talk about how they are able to support each other with the challenging aspects of being veterinary students.

“We don’t necessarily spend a lot of time preparing for exams by studying together,” Danqin says. “Each of us has our own way of learning.”

Danqin said the friends make it a point to meet after they finishing taking an exam.

“We always come together to talk it through,” Danqin says. “That time means a lot to me. I take the exam very slowly, but I always know my friends are waiting outside the classroom for me. Those moments we share are truly special to me — I get emotional because it reminds me how lucky I am to have their unwavering support and I’m very appreciative of the time we shared together.”

“We always like to decompress after an exam,” Gabrielle says. “We like to talk through the test afterwards to see what we did well, what we could do better — or talk about something other than school. Sometimes a faculty member will pass by our post-exam meeting spot and ask, ‘What are you guys always doing here?’”

The three friends laugh about this.

Finding common ground

While each of them is from a different place geographically, the friends find they connect well with each other, sometimes for unexpected reasons.

“Even though we have different backgrounds I think we have similar values,” Christinea says. “I would say that’s the thing that puts us on a similar plane and where we relate to each other — we’re very family oriented, we love our pets and we are focused on school.”

On their differences, Gabrielle says, “We can share and learn from each other. I think a lot of the time when people choose their friends, usually they choose people that think like them and look like them. But I feel like that’s what’s different about us,” Gabrielle further emphasizes. “Our differences are what made us want to be friends.”

Left: Danqin, Christinea and Gabrille wave flags of different countries during the CVM Multicultural Night in 2023. Courtesy Photo.

Above: Multicultural Night gives Christinea and Danqin an opportunity to try some international foods. Courtesy Photo.

When asked about the dynamics of the friend group, Christinea says, “I often talk about things that we’ve experienced at school together with my husband. If I say I learned something new about pigs, he’ll ask what Danqin thinks. Or if I have difficulty with something from clinical skills, he’ll suggest I practice with Gabrielle because she has more experience. Danqin hasn’t met my husband, Brandon, in person yet, but I feel like they still know a lot about each other.”

“My husband, Holdyn, knows Christinea and Danqin — he’s met them, and he loves them,” Gabrielle says. “He encourages me to have a support system outside of home because we spend more time here at the college than we do at home. So honestly, I’m with them more than I am with him, so I feel like he’s always been supportive of our friendship.”

Friends for life

“Sometimes we talk about what things will be like after we graduate,” Danqin says.

Part of Christinea’s career decision will depend on where her husband is stationed in the Army.

“Right now, I’m interested in shelter medicine,” Christinea says. “There are a couple of specialty areas I’m interested in, but I’ll wait to see where we end up.”

Gabrielle hopes to end up in Charleston, South Carolina, while leaning towards exotic and wildlife medicine as her career preference. Both Christinea and Gabrielle, know they would like to visit at least one other destination other than where their careers take them.

“We definitely want to visit each other after we graduate,” Gabrielle says. “We would love to see [Danqin’s] hometown.”

“You guys are always welcome to come home with me,” Danqin says to Gabrielle and Christinea.

Gabrielle, Christinea and Danqin mark the first day of their third-year studies. Courtesy Photo.

And with that comment, all three laugh together knowing their friendship will last.

prime investigation

Veterinary students receive hands-on training in one of the college’s most popular rotational classes.

A field disease investigation class has become a favorite of Veterinary Training Program for Rural Kansas (VTPRK) students – and this should be a good sign for production animal owners in rural Kansas as these future veterinarians will be coming to statistically underserved areas.

The class, taught by Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek, clinical associate professor in diagnostic medicine/pathobiology, was started in 2011. The goal of the class is to teach basic investigation strategies, develop critical thinking skills and hone client communication skills. Approximately 40% of the class is spent in hands-on environments outside, and the other 60% is spent in the classroom.

“It enhances the core veterinary knowledge the students learn and provides exercises to connect classroom knowledge to real world events,” Dr. Hanzlicek says.

He only wishes there was a way to offer it to more students.

The class has evolved a bit, as one might imagine, since it started more than 10 years ago. According to Dr. Hanzlicek, they spend a lot more time developing critical thinking skills.

Once the basics for conducting an investigation are learned, scenarios are provided where the student becomes the practitioner.

“Students have to learn how to talk to clients, collect a meaningful history, formulate appropriate investigation steps,” he says.

The students will also determine if diagnostic tests are needed as well as what sample and how to interpret the test results.

“Finally, at the end of investigation, the student must provide a plan to mitigate the present issue in addition to setting up a program to monitor the success or failure of the practitioner’s mitigation recommendations and, just as importantly, recommend a plan to prevent the health events from occurring in the future,” he adds.

Story and photos by Audrey Hambright

The Fall 2024 Field Disease Investigation Class pictured at the K-State Dairy Unit.

Back row, left to right: Charles Wassberg, Colben Dodson, Carter Claxton, Chance Kopsa and Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek. Front row, left to right: Kailey Beck, Kenzie Jones, Kylynn Mallen, Milan Black and Madalynn Martin.

On one particular day in the field, students visited the K-State Dairy Unit where they evaluated feed nutrients to assess the amount of functional fiber in the total mixed rations when rumen acidosis is suspected in a herd. Additionally, they performed urine tests on a group of cows to measure the pH levels. The urine pH is used when investigating herd metabolic issues.

Carter Claxton, third-year veterinary student at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, who is originally from Oskaloosa, Kansas, chose to take the field disease investigation class this last year. His career goals are focused around the ability to be the most practice ready, rural mixed-animal practitioner he can possibly be coming out of the DVM program.

“I feel as though hands-on, clinically relevant training and experience from long-time practicing veterinarians is invaluable to veterinary students.”

Carter Claxton

Class of 2026

K-State Dairy Unit

A set of third-year students in the field disease investigation class evaluate a pH test result. From left, clockwise: Kenzie Jones, Madalynn Martin, Carter Claxton and Dr. Hanzlicek.

“I feel as though hands-on, clinically relevant training and experience from long-time practicing veterinarians is invaluable to veterinary students,” Claxton says. “The field investigation course and Dr. Hanzlicek have a reputation of providing this for food-animal focused students.”

Claxton’s favorite part of the course was the hands-on training, such as palpation, liver biopsy, blood draws, and nutrient evaluation from the feed bunk.

“Working on all of these skills, followed up with techniques and strategies to implement them into our own practices someday, was very beneficial,” he says. “The goal of all of this training is to ultimately find ways to provide the highest quality of medicine possible to rural clients, while also finding a way to minimize unnecessary costs that could negatively impact their profit margin and operation goals.”

Milan Black, a third-year and VTPRK student who took the fall 2024 class, says she was surprised at the wide breadth of topics that were covered during the course.

“We talked a lot about high-risk calves and respiratory disease and then had the opportunity to necropsy calves that fit that classification, she says. “It was helpful to talk about the pathophysiology of disease and then be able to see those changes/lesions in person.”

Black, who is originally from Pratt, Kansas, and plans to serve in a rural mixed-animal practice, says it was very helpful to dive deep into how students can appropriately build vaccination protocols and tailor those protocols to the specific needs of each operation.

“Taking this class has given me a knowledge and skill base to pull from and build upon when I am faced with performing a field investigation in my future career,” she says.

“It enhances the core veterinary knowledge the students learn and provides exercises to connect classroom knowledge to real world events.”

— Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek

Animal handling was another component of the hands-on class. Pictured are third-year students Chance Kopsa, Kailey Beck, Milan Black and Kylynn Mallen.

Drs.

Waithaka Mwangi and Lisa Pohlman receive Iman research and teaching awards

Two CVM faculty members were recognized for their outstanding teaching and research during the Iman Awards ceremony at the K-State Alumni Center in November 2024.

These awards are sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association and are made possible through the generosity of a K-State alumni couple, Ron and Rae Iman.

Dr. Lisa Pohlman, professor of clinical pathology, received the Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching. The recipient of the Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Research was Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology.

Dr. Pohlman earned her DVM from the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and her master’s degree in clinical pathology from Auburn University, where she also completed a residency.

“Dr. Pohlman has natural teaching abilities, but isn’t satisfied depending on innate talent,” says her nominator, Dr. Derek Mosier, professor and head of the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology at K-State. “Outstanding teaching moves beyond excellence and represents a lifestyle and not just a livelihood. Dr. Pohlman exemplifies outstanding teaching at many levels. In the classroom she consistently spends the time necessary with those students who need some extra time and attention.”

Dr. Mwangi received his Ph.D. from Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002, where he also did postdoctoral training and then accepted an assistant professor/graduate faculty position.

“While at K-State, Dr. Mwangi has developed an active, nationally recognized laboratory working on vaccinology and immunology of infectious diseases of production animals,” says his nominator, Dr. Derek Mosier. “He has made substantial contributions to veterinary and graduate education at the College of Veterinary Medicine, is actively involved in national grant review panels, and is a leader in national and international professional societies.”

“Dr. Mwangi and Dr. Pohlman are helping K-State shine as a next-generation land-grant institution through their work as outstanding professors and researchers,” says Adam Walker, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. “They are excellent examples of how our faculty have tremendous influence on not only our university community, but those communities outside of K-State.”

K-State President Richard Linton, Rae Iman, Dr. Waithaka Mwangi, Dr. Lisa Pohlman, Ron Iman, and Alumni Association CEO Adam Walker.

New program matches external awards for K-State veterinary students; first recipient wins national essay contest

The College of Veterinary Medicine launched a new program in July 2024 that matches competitively determined scholarships and other awards from any external agency up to a maximum of $4,000.

The College of Veterinary Medicine External Award Match, or CVM-EAM, program incentivizes Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student applications for external scholarship awards and grants while simultaneously leveraging both college scholarship and external donor funds.

“Our profession is fortunate to have several veterinary professional associations and organizations that regularly provide scholarships, scholarly prizes and other monetary awards throughout each school year that helps support veterinary education nationwide,” says James Roush, associate dean of academic programs and student success. “While K-State enjoys seeing success from our students who have applied for these awards, we believe this external match program will encourage more students to seek out and apply for these opportunities.”

To receive matching funds, the external award must be a one-time scholarship or award determined through a competitive application process, and the student must notify the college of the award through a post-award verification application.

Fourth-year veterinary student Brianna Trent-Kielbasa was selected as the recipient of the first CVM-EAM matching award for her participation in the Smithcors Student Essay Contest organized by the American Veterinary Medical Historical Society. She won first place for her essay, “Welcome to the Jungle: The Impact of Veterinarians on Meat Inspection.”

Brianna says she appreciates the veterinary college’s commitment to its students.

“It feels validating that both AVMHS and my own dean saw the value in my work,” she says. “Scholarships can be hard to come by as a veterinary student, so the new matching initiative can really make a scholarship go a long way. I can see this helping out a lot of future students!”

Fourth-year student Brianna Trent-Kielbasa accepts the first award in the new external match program from Dr. Bonnie Rush, Hodes Family Dean, and Dr. James Roush, associate dean for academic programs and student success.

K-State Technology Development Institute partners with CVM to develop 3D-printed animal eyes for ophthalmology training

K-State veterinary students have a new and improved way to study veterinary ophthalmology thanks to a collaboration between the CVM and the Technology Development Institute.

The two partners developed a new training aid to help veterinary students learn to use eye exam equipment on several species of animal patients: 3D-printed eye globes replicating the eyes of dogs, cats, horses and rabbits.

These model eye globes allow the students to practice using real equipment to perform direct and indirect fundoscopy exams to check the fundus — the back of the inside of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve.

The models are based on photographic images captured by the ophthalmologists at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The engineering team at TDI designed a two-part round assembly with a clear lens and cornea on one half of the globe and the fundus image 3D printed on the inside of the other half of the globe. The two halves are combined to form a model eye training aid that enables students to learn the coordination skills of an ophthalmoscope, the instrument used for inspecting the eye.

skills required and develop muscle memory with a realistic replica that doesn’t require a live animal. Once the students’ foundational skills are established, they have the knowledge they need when met with the added challenge of a live patient.

The idea for the training aid was developed by K-State’s Susan Rose, clinical skills instructor, and Dr. Shane Lyon, clinical associate professor and clinical skills coordinator, both in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Rose and Lyon teach freshman and sophomore veterinary students in courses that introduce the hand skills required to perform various tasks in a low-stakes setting. One goal for these courses has been to reduce the use of live animals in teaching these base skills. Using models like the eye globes, students can learn the coordination and hand

Eye globe training kit

Second-year student Jian-Yang “Joey” Huang and third-year student Amelia Finn practice fundoscopy exams with the new 3D-printed animal eyeball models in the Clinical Skills Laboratory.

Previous attempts at creating a model eye for the lab fell short of meeting the instructors’ needs. When Rose learned of TDI’s ability to 3D print photographic images in high resolution, it immediately led to the idea of creating this model set, which would dramatically improve the ability to teach these skills.

“What we needed was a model that provided not just representative images of a normal fundus but one that could teach them how to utilize more functions of the ophthalmoscope when doing direct fundoscopy,” Rose says. “I wanted to have them learn how to use the diopter to focus on different planes, not just look at the back of the eye. This was a significant improvement over their previous handmade models.”

Rose says TDI’s model provides a better learning opportunity for students because it includes the mid-range iris and the clear lens cornea — the outer layer of the eye — in addition to the fundus, unlike previous models.

New K-State scholarship supports rural veterinary medicine students

A new scholarship program in the CVM will help address shortages of rural veterinarians while increasing overall access to veterinary education.

In January 2024, the college received a nearly $250,000 federal grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, or NIFA, to create the Rural and Underrepresented Scholarship for Hopeful Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Students, or RUSH DVM, program.

“With these scholarships, we can recruit, engage, retain, mentor and train committed underrepresented scholars resulting in DVM degrees at K-State College of Veterinary Medicine,” says Dr. Callie Rost, associate dean of admissions. “This program will contribute to the reduction of the disparity among underrepresented and underserved populations entering the DVM program, which will better reflect U.S. demographics and help the U.S. remain globally competitive as a leader in animal health and food production.”

Dr. Rost says the scholarship also promotes student success within the food and agricultural disciplines at the professional Doctor of Veterinary Medicine level.

The grant was funded through NIFA’s Higher Education Multicultural Scholars Program, which aims to increase the diversity of the food and agricultural workforce and to advance education achievement by providing competitive grants to higher learning institutions.

Through the four-year DVM program, Rost says enrolled students will develop critical thinking and communication skills, grow in leadership skills, and work within the ethical and professional standards expected in the field of veterinary medicine.

“Mentoring and shadowing opportunities will be made available to participants as well as opportunities for outreach and training,” Dr. Rost says. “Students participating in the RUSH DVM program will graduate with a lower debt load, and the program will foster economic opportunity in their futures.”

Dr. Callie Rost introduces the scholars, pictured from left: first-year students Joshua Waller, Serio Castro, Jentri Reamy, Zachary Wolfer and Eric Lorenz.

Drs. Amachawadi and Mwangi part of inaugural cohort of university outstanding scholars

The University Outstanding Scholar Awards program, a Next-Gen K-State initiative, was launched in the summer of 2024 to recognize outstanding mid-career tenured faculty members who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction. Drs. Raghavendra Amachawadi and Waithaka Mwangi were two out of the 10 recognized in this group.

The program aims to reward and increase the recognition of Kansas State University’s most promising faculty, to identify potential faculty candidates for university distinguished professor and external award nominations and recognitions, and to increase retention of excellent faculty.

The other recipients of this award are listed below:

Associate professors:

• Heather Bailey, department of psychological sciences, College of Arts and Sciences

• David Cook, department of plant pathology, College of Agriculture

• Steven Copp, department of kinesiology, College of Health and Human Sciences

• Romulo Lollato, department of agronomy, College of Agriculture

• Arslan Munir, department of computer science, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering

• Hongyu Wu, department of electrical and computer engineering, Carl R. Ice College College of Engineering

Professors:

• Ignacio Ciampitti, department of agronomy, College of Agriculture

• Ajay Sharda, department of biological and agricultural engineering, Carl R. Ice College of Engineering

These ‘Wildcats’ celebrate the veterinary college’s first two recipients of the University Outstanding Scholar Award. From left: Dr. T.G. Nagaraja, Richard Linton, the two scholars — Dr. Ragahavendra Amachawadi and Dr. Waithaka Mwangi — and Dr. M.M. Chengapa.

RosaBlaske

A small-town farm girl, Rosa Blaske developed a love for all things related to animals at a young age. Her experiences on the farm taught her many life lessons and fostered a sense of respect and compassion for both people and animals that she carries with her into her role as the admissions recruitment coordinator.

“Growing up on a rural farm allowed me to have my fair share of animals — from cats, dogs, cows, horses, Guinea pigs and geckos to the occasional stray rabbit,” she says. “Each of these animals taught me countless lessons about discipline, forgiveness, time management and patience. The skills I learned from growing up on a farm and being surrounded by animals have been the foundation of my success as a student and now professional.”

Above: Rosa settles into her new office in admissions.

Photo by Wendy Barnes.

| wildcatveterinarian

Story by Wendy Barnes

Recruitment Coordinator

What is special about K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine?

“Hands down, it’s the people!” Rosa exclaims. “Whether it’s the faculty, staff, students — everyone here truly wants to be a part of this community. When I first stepped into this role, I was greeted with cheerful smiles, clear guidance, candid expectations and helpful connections. These are the qualities that make K-State veterinary medicine so special. You’ll hear the same sentiment from prospective and admitted students. I can confidently say that K-State CVM exceeds all expectations!”

Education/Professional Background

A Kansas native from Blue Rapids, Rosa completed her undergraduate in psychology from Emporia State. In 2022, she decided to join the K-State family and started her master’s in human development and family science. During her program she worked as a GRA with K-State Research and Extension and conducted research on rural childcare throughout Kansas.

One of her graduate school mentors encouraged her to apply for the recruitment coordinator position, believing she would be a great fit due to her ability to connect with students and faculty.

“I love working with people,” Rosa says. “I’ve always had a natural talent for connecting with others and presenting ideas. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking information, sharing it and watching others light up when they learn something new.”

Rosa began her journey at the college in June 2024 and has seamlessly fit into her first full-time role.

Goals and Objectives

A self-described “college jack-of-all-trades,” Rosa’s primary responsibilities include connecting with prospective students, representing the college at various recruitment events, supervising the CVM Ambassadors and helping with a variety

of other activities and events in the college.

Her main goal is to create awareness about the college and give prospective students an opportunity to learn more about the program.

“I get the chance to engage with prospective students, meet with them about the academic process, and guide them through the steps of enrolling in the DVM program,” she says. “I also connect with various groups across the state and beyond to offer tours and facilitate conversations about what the college has to offer. I’ve often heard that KSU CVM is considered the bestkept secret in veterinary medicine, so my goal is to share as much as possible about our program and make sure we’re not just seen as a ‘flyover state!’”

While she loves all aspects of her position, she says her favorite part is getting the opportunity to work hand in hand with the ambassadors, students and professionals throughout the program. Currently, she supervises and manages the schedules of 72 ambassadors.

“I love getting to learn with them,” Rosa says. “They really are the heart and soul of KSU CVM. They’re out giving tours, chatting with visitors, and spreading the word about our college. Word of mouth works wonders, and our ambassadors are amazing at sharing the college’s mission and vision wherever they go!”

She wants to continue to develop the ambassadors’ skill sets in communication, community engagement and professional development. Her goal is to provide them with resources they can use after they graduate and enter practice.

Above: Rosa gets friendly with some piglets at the Kansas State Fair in September 2024. Courtesy photo.

Right: Rosa is leaning into her new role at Trotter Hall. Photo by Wendy Barnes.

Dairy in the Dilemma

Research links spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza with cattle milking.

Story by Joe Montgomery

Over the last two years, highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as H5N1, has been decimating populations of wild birds — first in Europe and later in the United States. As of spring 2024, H5N1 was unexpectedly detected in cattle in the United States and has, to date, affected more than 200 dairy cattle farms in 14 states. The connection between birds and cattle was not immediately apparent, but research in the College of Veterinary Medicine has shown a surprising reason for the spread of this disease among dairy cattle: the act of milking.

“Milking equipment and anthropogenic activities were suspected to be involved in the transmission of H5N1, but clear evidence of the mode of transmission had been lacking,” says Dr. Jürgen Richt, who is a Regents distinguished professor, University Distinguished Professor in Diagnostic Medicine and Pathobiology, Kansas Bioscience Authority eminent scholar in the College of Veterinary Medicine and member of the National Academy of Medicine. He published his findings in the paper “H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b dynamics in experimentally infected calves and cows,” which was published Sept. 25, 2024, in the journal Nature.

In a collaborative effort, research teams led by Drs. Richt and Martin Beer from the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut in Germany experimentally infected both calves and lactating cows with H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b virus, the strain of the virus circulating in cattle in the U.S., to gain insight into likely modes of transmission. They compared susceptibility and transmission in nine calves infected by oral and nasal

inoculation and three lactating cows via inoculation of the mammary gland. In addition, the mammary glands of three other dairy cows were inoculated with H5N1 euDG, the avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b strain that is circulating in Europe.

Pinpointing the means of transmission

Infection of the calves resulted in mild clinical disease, with moderate viral replication and no transmission to cohoused calves. In contrast, the dairy cows developed severe mammary gland infection, characterized by fever, mastitis and abrupt reduction in milk yield. Drastic increases in the levels of virus in the milk were observed, but there was no evidence of systemic infection or nasal shedding of the virus. These findings indicate that the milk and milking procedures, rather than respiratory spread, are the likely primary routes of H5N1 transmission between cattle.

“There are nearly 10 million dairy cows in the United States today. It is imperative that we study the ways this new disease transmits in dairy cows,” Dr. Richt says. “Given the potential economic damage to the cattle industry and risk to human health presented by bovine H5N1, this research shows that establishing safe, sanitary milking procedures is a topic of substantial concern within the U.S. dairy industry.”

“Dr. Richt’s ability to orchestrate an international collaboration to provide answers regarding viral transmission within months of new disease recognition is extraordinary,” says Dr. Bonnie Rush, Hodes Family Dean of the veterinary

college. “Similar to COVID-19, this Nature publication is a shining example of the expertise of this research team to rapidly pivot resources and deliver relevant data in response to an emerging zoonotic disease.”

This study was funded in part by the State of Kansas National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Transition Fund, and the animal research was conducted at K-State’s Biosecurity Research Institute and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut in Germany.

Further findings

Having discovered the method of transmission, Dr. Richt’s team and collaborators have also been looking at other aspects of HPAI transmission. Because Dr. Richt’s Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases specializes in this type of research and because of his access to the Biosecurity Research Institute, K-State is the premier institution to handle the investigations of these types of outbreaks.

“It’s important to note that we have established a team that can do this type of research,” Dr. Richt says. ”We are well trained and we know how to handle all the aspects that are involved in a high-containment research environment.”

Dr. Richt’s team has been prolific and moved quickly to publish findings in connection with HPAI. In September 2024, the team published “Bovine Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Stability and Inactivation in the Milk Byproduct Lactose,” which looked at two methods to inactivate the virus. A key finding involved the persistence of the HPAI virus in lactose byproducts that are used in animal feed products.

In October of the same year, the team published “Detection and characterization of H5N1 HPAIV in environmental samples from a dairy farm,” which emphasizes the critical need for better epidemiological monitoring of zoonotic diseases.

Dr. Richt says the research is not just limited to cows.

“We have done experiments in pigs just to see how this virus works in pigs,” Dr. Richt says. “It’s good news for the swine industry. There’s not much happening with this virus, but we still need to be vigilant. There’s incredible environmental contamination with this strain right now. If we don’t prevent it from spreading now, then perhaps in a decade — maybe two, three or four decades — it could become a plague.”

Prestigious Professor

The CVM’s Dr. Jürgen Richt has received one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine. In October, he was elected as a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

As a Kansas Regents Distinguished Professor, a University Distinguished Professor in diagnostic medicine and pathobiology, and a Kansas Bioscience Authority eminent scholar in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Richt is among 90 regular members and 10 international members who were elected this year to the academy. Collectively, the National Academy of Medicine provides policymakers, professionals, business leaders and the public with independent, scientifically informed analysis and recommendations on issues related to health and the biomedical sciences.

New academy members are selected each year from a list of nominees. Members are chosen based on their professional qualifications and accomplishments as shown through their publications and research grants.

Dr. Richt was elected for “being a pioneer in infectious diseases of ‘One Health’ importance.”

According to the academy announcement, his prolific basic and translational research findings on emerging pathogens of livestock, wildlife and humans are unique and highly significant for animal and public health, and his biocontainment expertise is crucial for the nation’s bio- and agro-terrorism defense capacities.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Richt for this remarkable accomplishment,” said Dr. Hans Coetzee, interim vice president for research at Kansas State University. “Being selected to join the National Academy of Medicine is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field and his dedication to advancing medical science and improving healthcare.”

CVM launches NIH-funded, multidisciplinary Biomedical Core Facilities

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 30, 2024, for the new Biomedical Core Facilities, which will provide low-threshold access to well-maintained, state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise to foster multidisciplinary collaboration across K-State.

The $3.4 million, 5,000 square-foot facility, located on the second floor of Mosier Hall in the College of Veterinary Medicine, was funded through a C06 construction grant from the National Institutes of Health. The core facility strategically collocates disciplines including molecular and cellular biology, microscopy imaging, flow cytometry and cell sorting, animal modeling and pathology, and next-generation sequencing to promote a robust and efficient research and training environment.

“This facility is a testament to K-State’s commitment to driving innovation, collaboration and excellence in zoonotic research,” said Hans Coetzee, interim vice president for research. “It demonstrates our dedication to combating infectious pathogens and enhancing biosecurity, both in Kansas and around the world.”

The newly constructed Biomedical Core Facilities assembles state of the art technologies in a single location to facilitate the delivery of coordinated services for academic, corporate and federal researchers, providing a complete range of services from whole tissues to single-cell nucleic acid analyses.

Above: Drs. Hans Coetzee, Frank Blecha, Bonnie Rush and Dana Vanlandingham cut the ribbon the new Biomedical Core Facilities, which will provide low-threshold access to well-maintained, stateof-the-art instrumentation and expertise to foster multidisciplinary collaboration across K-State.

Right: Dr. Raj Logan, an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Wichita State University, operates the LSM 880 and also uses the LSM 880 Airyscan, next door within the facilities. Dr. Logan’s lab studies gene regulation networks in animal development. He travels regularly to the veterinary college to access confocal resources including super-res technology.

As with people, animals can also suffer from different types of pain. Help is on the way, though, thanks to a newly patented formula developed by a team consisting of three researchers from Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and a research partner previously from Vanderbilt University.

Drs. Butch KuKanich, professor of pharmacology, Kate KuKanich, professor of small animal internal medicine, David Rankin, clinical professor and head of veterinary anesthesiology, and Charles Locuson, who currently serves as a director of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, or DMPK, at Agios Pharmaceuticals, received notice of their patent toward the end of 2023. The formula combines the opioid methadone and another drug to enhance the effect and duration of pain relief, Dr. Butch KuKanich says. Another ingredient is naltrexone, which helps deter opioid abuse, misuse or diversion by humans.

David Rankin, Kate Kukanich, and Butch KuKanich collaborate on pain-relief research and have received a patent for one of their formulations.

“This is also the first oral opioid formulation to demonstrate consistent clinical analgesia in postoperative dogs with effects occurring within an hour,” Dr. Butch KuKanich says. “Another huge advantage of our patented formulation is that it is effective with just two doses a day.”

Dr. David Poole receives prestigious Kansas research award

Dr. David Poole, University Distinguished professor of kinesiology in the College of Health and Human Sciences and physiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine, is the 2024 recipient of the Dolph Simons Award in Biomedical Sciences.

The award is a part of the Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Awards, the state higher education system’s most prestigious recognition for scholarly excellence.

Dr. Poole, director of the Cardiorespiratory Exercise Lab at K-State, is a world-renowned expert on the body’s use of oxygen during exercise.

His work on gas exchange in living bodies has had various applications — such as reducing lung damage in racing horses and improving anesthesia protocols in elephants — and has helped researchers better understand the determinants of fatigue and exercise intolerance in elite athletes and patient populations.

Dr. Poole and other recipients will be recognized at a ceremony this spring.

This is the 42nd annual presentation of the Higuchi awards, established in 1981 by Takeru Higuchi, a distinguished professor at the University of Kansas from 1967 to 1983, his wife Aya, and the KU Endowment Association. The awards recognize exceptional long-term research accomplishments by faculty at Kansas Board of Regents universities. Honorees receive $10,000 each for their ongoing research.

Drs.

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crushin’ it

How canine blood donors save lives and inspire hope.

Just like humans, animals sometimes face medical emergencies that require blood transfusions. Whether the need arises from a disease, injury or surgery, access to canine blood products can mean the difference between life and death. Unlike human blood banks, canine blood supplies rely on the generosity of the dog owners who enroll their pets in blood donor programs.

At the Veterinary Health Center, the Canine Blood Donor Program plays a vital role in providing this lifesaving resource. Each donation not only saves the lives of two dogs but also highlights the unique bond between animals and the humans who care for them.

Story by Rylee Coy

Photos by Audrey Hambright

Need for blood

Trista Rich and her then 6-year-old miniature dachshund, Crush, first visited the Veterinary Health Center in March 2022 for emergency back surgery. A follow-up visit was needed to resolve some platelet issues, but not long afterward, another medical complication appeared.

“In April of 2024, Crush was diagnosed with immune mediated hemolytic anemia,” Trista says. “He was extremely low on his red blood cells.”

Originally, Trista noticed that Crush’s gums were pale, but thought it could have been caused by a separate medical condition.

“We ended up bringing him in because we noticed his heart rate was high,” Trista says. “They did a blood test and found that his percentage of red blood cells was low. At that point, we had to do a blood transfusion.”

Without blood, Crush would have risked damage to his organs.

“[The doctors] think he started to lose oxygen in his GI tract,” Trista says. “The only way to revitalize his organs

Left: Trista Rich and her dog Crush, sit in front of the VHC where Crush received lifesaving care.

Below: Trista and Crush reconnect with their care team at VHC on the day of their meet-and-greet with Crush’s blood donor, Benton. From left to right: Dr. Voudren, Trista, Brooke and Mya.

would have been through the blood transfusion we gave him.”

Lifesaving donation

Mya Croy, first-year student and owner of a 4-year-old golden retriever named Benton, were involved in the canine blood donor program. Benton’s donations meant blood Crush needed for his recovery was available.

“I have wanted to be a veterinarian my entire life,” Mya says. “I love helping animals and helping their owners. When I saw there was an opportunity for Benton to help other animals, I thought it was a no-brainer and signed him up.”

Benton’s blood donations have facilitated other forms of treatment for many patients in need. Since joining the blood donor program in February 2023, he has donated a total of seven times.

“With the disease Crush has, we have to give him steroids,” Trista says. “The steroids take a little bit to start working. The transfusion gave Crush time to revitalize his organs and start pumping some of his own red blood cells out.”

Trista says she appreciates the importance of blood donations being available.

“Without the transfusion, he may have lost oxygen to some of his organs,” Trista says. “He wouldn’t be to the point he is today.”

How blood donation works

To be screened to participate in the program, dogs should be between the ages of 1 and 5. They also should weigh more than 55 pounds. Other initial requirements include:

Good temperment: will lay on side for 5 to 10 minutes

Never recieved a blood transfusion

Females spayed (No previous litters); males neutered

Available for collection every two months

Dog owners live within a 30-minute driving distance of the VHC

After these requirements are met, the potential donor will have a physical exam and are tested for their blood type. If dogs test negative for Dog Erythrocyte Antigen 1.1, they will move onto the general health and infectious screening portion of the screening process.

At the time of publication, Crush is doing “beyond wonderful” and has blood volume levels of normal dogs.

Need for canine blood donors

Benton’s role highlights the importance of canine blood donations.

“A lot of people don’t know how many animals need blood transfusions,” Mya says. “Bringing more awareness to it is important. I tell all my friends and family that have big dogs to come to K-State to see if their dog is able to donate blood.”

Each unit of blood can save two dogs’ lives — and there are benefits for the donors. Dogs in the program receive free annual vaccinations, preventatives and blood work. Participants receive a bag of dog food with each blood donation.“What we are doing with the blood donor program is helping those dogs continue on,” says Brooke Neiberger, RVT, veterinary nurse and coordinator of the Canine Blood Donor Program.

Trista and Crush meet the canine blood donor, Benton and Mya.

Caring for Every Heart

How veterinary social work supports mental health and human-animal bonds.

The deep bond between humans and animals can provide comfort in some of life’s most challenging moments. For Cassidy Moreau, veterinary social worker at the Veterinary Health Center, this connection has been a cornerstone of her career. With a background in social work, Cassidy has held various roles that placed her at the intersection of emotional support and human-animal relationships. Now, as the first veterinary social worker the Veterinary Health Center has had, she combines her passion for mental health advocacy and animal welfare to help both people and animals navigate grief, loss and stress.

The VHC’s veterinary social worker Cassidy Moreau leads a mindfulness exercise at the beginning of a class at CVM.

Story and photos by Rylee Coy

wildcatveterinarian

Educational and Professional Background

Cassidy previously has been in several positions pertaining to social work, including an outpatient therapist, homeless case manager for Veteran Affairs and a school social worker. The commonality between each is the vital role animals play in emotional support and healing for those facing hardships.

“My career as a social worker has always been driven by the understanding of the deep connections between humans and their environments, including the powerful human-animal bond,” Cassidy says.

In May 2022, Cassidy was invited to speak to students enrolled in the community outreach elective rotation, taught by Dr. Ron Orchard, a postdoctoral fellow with the Shelter Medicine and Community Outreach program. She shared her experiences working with unhoused individuals, those living with substance use and individuals with metal health concerns.

“This opportunity opened my eyes to a whole new way of integrating social work into veterinary medicine,” Cassidy says. “Having always believed in the therapeutic potential of the human-animal bond, I knew this specialty aligned perfectly with my passion for advocating for both people and animals.”

My career as a social worker has always been driven by the understanding of the deep connections between humans and their environments...

Cassidy started the veterinary social work certification program at the University of Tennessee in January 2023. She received training in animal related interactions and experiences, the link between harm to humans and animals, animal related grief and bereavement and intentional well-being.

Cassidy Moreau VHC Veterinary Social Worker

“What began as a one-time speaking engagement grew into an ongoing partnership where we collaborated on developing a curriculum that best serves the students,” Cassidy says. “Through our work together, we were able to craft a unique approach to community outreach, focusing on practical applications that bridge veterinary medicine and social work.”

Realizing Dr. Orchard and Cassidy shared a vision for expanding the student’s understanding of social issues also allowed Cassidy to see her next step for a future career.

While in the program, the Veterinary Health Center announced they were looking for their first veterinary social worker.

“I knew this was the perfect next step for me,” Cassidy says. “This gave me a chance to combine my background in social work with my passion for mental health advocacy, animal welfare, and client support.”

Veterinary Social Work at K-State

In Cassidy’s role, she supports a lot of different positions within the Veterinary Health Center. One part of her job is making sure faculty, staff and fourth-year students on rotations are being intentional with their wellbeing. Cassidy also assists with crisis management when needed for those working in the VHC.

“I support faculty and even the fourth-year students in the hospital on their clinical rotation,” Cassidy says. “That could look like offering some crisis management if there’s like a difficult day or difficult case and stepping in to help them with communication with clients. Sometimes clients may not want to talk with me, but I can help support the clinicians or staff working with them.”

Cassidy provides client support, assistance with grief and loss and when clients need additional resources, like food and financial support. She helps clients with grief, intentional well-being and animal assistance interventions.

Left: Cassidy talks to faculty member, Dr. Emily Reppert in the VHC.

Right: Cassidy interacts with students in the beginning of the shelter medicine group.

Paws of Comfort — A grief support group

Cassidy provides grief support in individual and group settings through the Paws of Comfort program. This program typically comprises clients of the VHC and is available to members of the public. Participants do not have to go through animal loss, it can also be end-of-life grief.

“Animal loss is often not seen in society as a normal loss that we would experience if we were to lose a human family member,” Cassidy says. “For a lot of people that bond between them and their animal companion is a very strong bond, and society doesn’t recognize that as a whole, people have a lot of difficulty going through that grieving process.”

What to expect

Participants are screened before starting the program to ensure groups are cohesive. Meetings generally include some form of memorialization and a space to share with others going through similar things. Participants can expect to leave with tools to navigate grief.

“Grief comes in waves and in different forms,” Cassidy says. “I want folks to have some tangible tools that they can use to kind of help navigate that grief. There are a lot of book recommendations and different things that are useful tools and some ideas of how to memorialize the life that was lost.”

Mental Health Awareness

“The most important thing I do is the mental health aspect,” Cassidy says. “If I am working with a client, that is taking a stressor off our students, faculty and staff. I also help with the social emotional piece because that is where my training comes from. This allows for our students, faculty and staff to focus on patient care.”

Cassidy believes this not only leads to better patient care, but to fighting burnout compassion fatigue in students, staff and faculty.

“The suicide rates in veterinary medicine are very high,” Cassidy says. “According to a special report published in 2019

titled ‘Suicide Among Veterinarians in the United States From 1979 Through 2015,’ rates for females are 3.5 times more likely than the general population and for males it is about 2.5 times more likely. We need to normalize the conversation about this and be more intentional.”

Cassidy wants people to know that support exists. If she is not able to assist, she can refer them to someone who can help.

“We need to let people know they are not fighting in the dark,” Cassidy says. “They have someone here that can assist them.”

About

ZEWAMS Zoo, Exotic, Wildlife, and Avian Medicine and Surgery service

ZEWAMS provides specialized care for a range of exotic pets, from the tiniest frogs and fish to larger rabbits and zoo or wildlife animals, with services tailored to each species’ unique needs.

Rabbit Care

Rabbits are the primary patients of ZEWAMS with routine care services, illness treatments and annual vaccinations. It is recommended that adult rabbits recieve veterinary care annually and older rabbits are seen biannually. To help prevent uterine cancer, female rabbits should be spayed before the age of two.

Veterinary Support for Local Zoos

ZEWAMS clinicians serve as veterinarians for Sunset Zoo and other zoos in Kansas. Due to their expertise in zoo and wildlife medicine, although they provide care for small exotic species in the VHC, among zoo and wildlife patients they provide treatment and care for larger, non-domestic species in a variety of zoological locations throughout the state.

Veterinary Training Programs

ZEWAMS is dedicated to training the next generation of veterinarians with a focus on exotic, wildlife and zoo animals.

Veterinary Health Center

Dr. Gretel Tovar, a double-boarded specialist in avian and zoological companion animals

Dr. Trent Shrader, highly skilled and experienced in wildlife and zoo animals

Dr. Amanda Steineigel, a specialist in exotic companion mammals

1800 Denison Ave

Manhattan, Kansas

Small animal: 785-532-5690

Large animal: 785-532-5700

www.ksvhc.org

Every Horse an Athlete

The Equine Performance Testing Center provides opportunities for advanced healing and paves the path for expansion.

Story and photos by Audrey Hambright

Without looking back at the photos, it’s hard to remember when equine lameness evaluations were completed in the parking lot to the east of Mosier Hall at the Veterinary Health Center. With the addition of the Equine Performance Testing Center (EPTC) in 2017, the possibilities expanded— and so did the caseload for equine surgery and performance medicine.

Since the completion of the EPTC, caseloads for the equine section have increased by approximately 48%.

The advanced facility offers an indoor riding arena with both hard and soft footing, designed to optimally evaluate and diagnose lameness or performance-limiting issues affecting equine patients. The facility also includes an indoor examination area, an imaging suite for radiographs and ultrasound examination, dedicated farrier space and a client consultation room. (ksvhc.org)

Not only has the number of equine patients increased, but so has the variety of cases the clinicians now see. Dr. Dylan Lutter, a board-certified equine surgeon and clinical assistant professor, obtained certification in equine physical therapy and rehabilitation in 2019, and later certification in animal chiropractic, further expanding the services offered.

A Recent Case

Cindy Togstad, of Wilber, Nebraska, noticed some head bobbing in Beau, her 9-year-old quarter horse, while her trainer was riding him. They took Beau to a veterinarian, who diagnosed him with navicular disease. Soon after, following recommendations from fellow horse owners, Cindy brought

Beau to the Veterinary Health Center for evaluation by Dr. Lutter in October 2023.

An ultrasound scan revealed that Beau had torn his deep digital flexor tendon and check ligament.

“It happened to be one of the worst tears I’ve ever seen in that particular structure,” Dr. Lutter says. “So we turned right away to Cindy and told her that it was not good news, and that it would be a long road ahead to even get Beau back to where he could comfortably walk.”

After careful consideration and brainstorming, the team decided to proceed with stem cell therapy, an approach

Dr. Lutter had been using at the VHC for some time. Beau’s injuries were injected with stem cells grown from another horse, and he was started on a rehabilitation program.

“Throughout the course of treatment, Beau had some good days and bad days, along with numerous setbacks. He would become more lame, or the tendon would tear,”

Dr. Lutter recalls. “Beau even received a second round of stem cell therapy in the spring and continued on his rehab program. Slowly, but surely — and with Cindy’s hard work and dedication — the tendon began to get stronger.”

Beau started walking more comfortably and was moved from his stall to a larger pen at home. However, by late spring 2024, Dr. Lutter noticed the tendon had become static and wasn’t healing as expected. Despite increased activity, the lesion in the tendon remained unfilled as viewed by ultrasound. In September, the decision was made to try additional therapy to strengthen the tendon further.

Since Beau had already received stem cells twice, he wasn’t a candidate for that treatment again.

“We decided to proceed with bone marrow concentrate, using Beau’s own cells to inject into the injured area in hopes of encouraging healing,” Dr. Lutter says.

A Solid Follow-Up

When Beau returned for a recheck and ultrasound in December, Dr. Lutter found that he still showed mild symptoms of lameness and the dark area from the injury had not filled in completely. However, overall, Beau was moving better.

“Even though Beau isn’t able to return to 100%, and that tendon still has a slight defect, I really think it’s important to consider how much of a success story Beau is,” Dr. Lutter says.

Above: Dr. Lutter (right) discusses the bone marrow concentrate process with equine surgery resident Cara Croft (left.)

Right: Rachelle Wylie, veterinary assistant, trots Beau for a lameness evaluation during one of his follow-up appointments in the EPTC.

Above: Dr. Lutter performs an ultrasound on Beau’s tendon following the bone marrow concentrate process. Also pictured are equine surgery resident, Dr. Cara Croft and fourth-year student Yi Wen. Right: Architectural renderings for the propsed expansion of the EPTC.

“Without all the therapies we used to treat him, many people would have chosen to euthanize him, as he would have been chronically in pain and unable to even be turned out.”

The rehab journey has been difficult, but Cindy remains positive and speaks highly of her experience.

“They [the VHC team] are top of the line,” she says. “They’re just so awesome and caring. It’s a great facility — and yes, I’ve recommended it to other people. All three of my horses have been here.”

EPTC Enhancement Opportunities

The EPTC has provided exceptional advanced rehabilitation care for horses like Beau. The dedicated space, separate from the main hospital, allows the care team to plan and utilize rehab modalities in an invaluable way, according to Dr. Lutter.

“Having a dedicated facility where we can evaluate patients with either complex subtle lameness or severe injuries like Beau’s has allowed us to focus on cases we didn’t have the capacity for before,” he says.

Although Dr. Lutter and the equine care team were able to provide cutting-edge rehabilitation services in Beau’s case, they faced some challenges with the current capabilities of the EPTC. After treatments at the VHC, Cindy took Beau to an equine therapy facility in Missouri to use a water treadmill to further improve his chances of recovery. If the VHC could add space for a water treadmill and an area where

Plans for Expansion

performance rehabilitation patients could stay for extended periods, it would be of immense value and convenience for horse owners seeking these services.

In 2025, the Veterinary Health Center will begin fundraising for an expansion of the EPTC. Enhancement opportunities include:

• Water treadmill

• Inpatient/outpatient care

• Rehab modalities

• Extended stay options for long-term care

For more information regarding giving opportunities, please contact Torrey Lonker, development officer, at 316-303-7432 or torreyl@ksufoundation.org.

Extra Foot Work

Increased teaching opportunities have also been a key benefit of the EPTC. An equine podiatry class is held every Thursday during the fall semester for third-year veterinary students to learn about horse hoof health. The class was previously taught with Dr. Dylan Lutter by alum Dr. Matt Wimer, DVM class of 2014, who tragically passed away in November.

The EPTC gives students interested in equine hoof health the chance to learn and practice in a dedicated space.

“When we moved the class to the EPTC, it really gave us a calm environment where students could work with horses one-on-one, improving their horsemanship and handling skills,” Dr. Lutter says. “It also allowed us as instructors to

Amanda Bolinger, class of 2026, works on a horse hoof during the equine podiatry class.

move from horse to horse and provide feedback without the distractions of a veterinary hospital environment such as a truck driving by or a barking dog that might startle the horse, which is what happened when we used to work in Mosier Hall.”

Looking to the future, Dr. Lutter believes there are expansion opportunities that could further enhance student education at the EPTC.

“I really think there’s an opportunity to add a dedicated farrier shop and tools, helping veterinary students understand the role a veterinarian plays in making podiatry recommendations and how to work with farriers,” he says.

Performing a test for determining the level of antibodies in serum (both large and small animal).

First Line of Defense

The KSVDL is the state’s front-line defense against devastating animal diseases.

Blood and tissue samples that could determine the fate of Kansas’ economy come to a small backroom at the back of the College of Veterinary Medicine at dusk and dawn, as they do at midday and midnight.

The samples come hand-delivered by courier or in nondescript packages and United States Postal Services mailers.

They come alongside other biological matter — individual samples of cancer in cats and viruses in dogs — all with varying levels of importance but certainly no lack of urgency.

Because no matter the scope or scale, with animal lives on the line, nothing matters more than accurate and timely test results at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, or KSVDL.

As the state’s largest and only public veterinary diagnostics lab, the KSVDL is the laboratory clearinghouse that veterinarians around the state and country know and rely on to diagnose and track the diseases that could wreak havoc on individual households and the U.S. agricultural economy at large.

“We serve so many people here, and we have many resources to help people with a wide range of animal issues,” says Dr. Jamie Retallick, director of the KSVDL. “We have people with zoo and wildlife backgrounds, people with poultry backgrounds, people with swine backgrounds — and that’s just down the hall. There are all of these resources here to help, and we do this work often in the background.”

Story by Rafael Garcia, K-State News

Photos by K-State Photo Services

Logistics of large-scale animal disease testing

Few kinds of professional schools are as wide-ranging as veterinary medicine, and the same holds true for the battery of diagnostic testing necessary to support the profession.

Imagine all the kinds of testing a human might see in health care — from virology to bacteriology to toxicology. Now imagine that same gamut of testing for various kinds of animals, including small companion animals like cats and dogs, large animals like cattle and swine, and zoo and exotic animals like elephants and orangutans.

That’s why the KSVDL’s staff members —including faculty, professional staff and veterinary students, residents and interns spread across more than a dozen specialized departments in three facilities on the north end of K-State’s campus — conduct more than 500 types of tests for clients for species that range in size from the poison dart frogs to elephants, with the most common species being cattle, dogs, and humans.

Veterinarians and animal producers in all 50 states and 52 countries send hundreds of samples to the KSVDL each day, usually by overnight freight but sometimes by hand delivery.

It’s a huge logistical undertaking, but it’s one that the KSVDL is well-prepared and trained to accommodate, especially when it has practice processing thousands of animal tests in a short timeframe. The lab is also equipped to handle some human sample testing, and it was called into action in 2020 to help process COVID tests and provide relief to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s state lab in the first few months of the pandemic.

“The KSVDL can rapidly mobilize in an outbreak to perform large numbers of tests to assist with controlling an outbreak,” Dr. Retallick says. “The KSVDL previously performed over 41,000 CoVID-19 tests for the Manhattan community in response to the pandemic and is currently testing for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus outbreak

Brad Hill, a technician in the toxicology section, starts trace mineral analysis testing.

in poultry, birds, wildlife, and cattle with over 12,000 tests completed.”

Dr. Retallick says the KSVDL helps diagnose Chronic Wasting Disease (CWS) in deer for hunters, and offers a free, field-disease investigation program that assists veterinarians in very complex herd health disease issues. She says the KSVDL is growing a new section to hopefully become a food animal toxicology hub for the world.

Additionally, the KSVDL, through its necropsy unit, is often called to help determine why animals died. This can be as part of criminal, such as forensic animal cruelty cases, or insurance investigations, but it can also be at the request of pet or livestock owners who want peace of mind or need to know to ensure they or their other animals aren’t also at risk.

Although much of its work entails practical testing of realworld samples, the laboratory also conducts and supports other K-State research and performs research to develop new tests to serve clients — studying both the pathogenesis of disease and epidemiology of animal disease spread.

With the KSVDL’s extensive selection of instrumentation and diverse faculty expertise, it bolsters various areas of research, ranging among infectious disease, cancer, water quality, toxins and others.

Mabel Wen Todd, clinical pathologist laboratory supervisor, loads a sample on the Stago Compact Max Coagulation Analyzer, which measures blood clotting times.

The wide range of KSVDL services and testing add to several of K-State’s efforts in biosecurity, including advancing diagnostics, prophylactics and therapeutic countermeasures for combating infectious animal diseases. Through surveillance, testing and research, the KSVDL emphasizes work to protect against zoonotic and foreign animal diseases that threaten animal agriculture, the food supply and human health.

For example, KSVDL faculty and staff worked alongside researchers to help them complete COVID research studies early in the pandemic, while researchers also helped with COVID testing by the KSVDL. Diagnostics and research are intimately intertwined and share many of the same skill sets.

“Both research and diagnostics are foundational sciences that lead to discovery of new knowledge important for meeting the land-grant mission of increasing knowledge for the well-being of all people,” Dr. Retallick says. “It is important for the KSVDL to perform and collaborate in areas of research as it contributes to scientific knowledge and better diagnostic testing to serve all clients, including researchers.”

Protecting US animals

Much of the KSVDL’s lab is the routine but important work of providing diagnostic testing for small animal veterinarians. Think toxicology panels for cats that have gotten into something they shouldn’t have or histological testing on masses removed from the skin of dogs.

Hunters also directly submit samples of deer tissue to monitor for chronic wasting disease as it ebbs around the state.

“There might be kids who are showing animals at the 4-H fair, but few people know that to go to that fair, they had to have certain animals tested, and we did that for them,”

Dr. Retallick says. “We stand quietly behind those kids so that they can participate in those kinds of activities.”

But one of the most important roles the KSVDL plays is surveilling for and responding to any potential outbreaks of foreign animal diseases on Kansas soil.

The KSVDL is a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Animal Health Laboratory Network, which monitors for outbreaks of diseases, such as African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, that could lay ruin to the nation’s livestock industry.

Not to be confused with the hand, foot and mouth disease that affects humans, foot-and-mouth disease primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals like cattle and swine. While not necessarily deadly, the highly infectious virus leads to fever, blisters and weight loss and leaves animals weakened for months.

“We say it is not if a foreign animal disease outbreak will happen — it’s when,” Dr. Retallick says. “There will someday be an outbreak, and as a part of that network, we know we’ll be put into action to test samples.”

While more than 70% of the world has seen foot-and-mouth disease in the past couple of decades, the U.S. has been free of the virus since 1929.

That’s thanks in large part to aggressive border customs and surveillance efforts, says Dr. Justin Smith, animal health commissioner at the Kansas Department of Agriculture.

“Kansas has a huge livestock industry, and with it, a tremendous amount of movement. That makes us vulnerable to a lot of disease incursions, and one of our greatest fears is a foreign animal disease like foot-andmouth disease,” Dr. Smith says. “Foot-and-mouth disease would severely cripple the nation’s ability to trade with other countries.”

Dr. Smith’s office and state veterinarians positioned around Kansas work directly with local livestock producers, feedlots and slaughterhouses to immediately sample and test any suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease, as well as other regulatory or reportable animal diseases, and send them to the KSVDL to get tested — be it during business hours or at 2 a.m.

It’s both quality and health assurance, Dr. Smith says.

“There is a lot of routine surveillance for common diseases that allows us to ensure that Kansas’ livestock industry is healthy and that people want our products,” Dr. Smith says. “They serve not just Kansas, but a lot of surrounding states and industry, and they are the tip of the iceberg in terms of diagnostic work.”

A growing demand

For more common but still serious diseases, the KSVDL regularly publishes reports, maps and trends of animal diseases around the state, says Dr. Gregg Hanzlicek, clinical professor and director of production animal field investigations.

Dr. Hanzlicek also helps facilitate the lab’s outreach and continuing education efforts, which include regular webinars, newsletters and visits to counties around the state.

“It helps our veterinarians be more aware of things that might be changing in the environment or in the industries they work in, and from there, they help the producers manage and prevent numerous diseases,” he says.

Dr. Megan Potter, a veterinary clinician and part-owner at Abilene Animal Hospital, says that local practitioners like her often have an idea of what a certain case might be before sending it to the KSVDL for testing. The tests provide both confirmation and peace of mind, as well as expertise on the latest trends and strains of diseases.

“They get a wide variety of cases, so you get out of your local area a bit,” she says. “And you can draw on the information that the diagnostic lab has gained from other clinicians.”

Dr. Retallick says the surge in casework has largely been because of an increased awareness and desire to prevent disease outbreaks like highly pathogenic avian influenza.

“The animal agriculture industry is more proactive about potential diseases, and if there is something that exists in their facilities, they want to know exactly what it is before it becomes an outbreak,” Dr. Retallick says.

“There’s also the fact that pets are a bigger part of families, and their owners want the same level of care and testing they might get for a family member,” she added. “More pets and animals are also traveling, and to go into a certain country, you might need specific tests to be done.”

The KSVDL’s rabies laboratory, which is the largest serology lab in the United States, processes titer tests from several foreign countries, predominantly in Latin America — with the laboratory even staffing a Spanish-language hotline for veterinarians from those countries. The rabies lab tests over a 100,000 animal and human samples a year, allowing for pets to travel with their family across borders and oceans and making sure veterinarians and other rabies exposed workers are protected.

Despite the growth in testing, the KSVDL has remained largely self-supported. The laboratory receives some state funding to support salaries, and some federal grants help cover foreign disease surveillance, but most of the KSVDL’s revenue comes from the nominal fees it charges clients for testing.

But beyond low prices and rapid test turnaround times, the

In the past couple of decades, the KSVDL has grown dramatically from a pool of about 10 faculty and 50 staff to 22 faculty and about 100 staff, mostly to manage a caseload that has more than doubled to more than half a million tests per year.

That can be a difficult feat, especially since most other similar state veterinary laboratories around the country are based in a single facility. The KSVDL has to shuttle samples between laboratory spaces in three separate buildings on the north end of the university’s campus.

most important reason the KSVDL has built its reputation around the state, nation and world is its communication with clients, Dr. Hanzlicek says.

“When they call us, they get a hold of someone who is an expert in the lab and can talk them through their cases,” Dr. Hanzlicek says. “Someone is always available and willing to answer questions.”

Staff complete PCR in the KSVDL’s Molecular Service section in biosafety cabinets.

Two Doctors of Veterinary Medicine

Toxicologists available for consultation

Robust toxicology residency program: educating the next generation of toxicologists

Analysis and consultation available for both companion and production animal clients

Unique specialization in food-animal toxicology

Offer over 35 specialized tests: including trace mineral and vitamin status

Alums explore Belgium for special CE opportunity

In June 2024, a group of eight alumni and their partners embarked on a memorable Continuing Education (CE) trip to Belgium. The group was led by Dr. Walter Renberg, professor of small animal surgery, and Dr. Barbara Alexiou, a Belgian native who serves as the CVM’s director of advanced veterinary education.

“This trip was an all-in-one experience — 10 hours of veterinary CE, mixed with enough food, waffles, chocolate, and Belgian beer to keep everyone smiling,” says Dr. Alexiou.

The journey kicked off in Brussels, where participants were greeted with the grandeur of the Grand Place, one of Europe’s most stunning town squares. From there, the week unfolded with a combination of educational lectures and engaging tourist experiences.

Veterinarians attended CE sessions led by expert speakers on topics such as small animal emergency medicine, surgery and anesthesiology. Meanwhile, their partners enjoyed tours of local Belgian delights, including chocolate tastings, museum visits and excursions to key historical sites.

“No trip to Belgium would be complete without soaking up its rich history,” Dr. Alexiou says. “We took a private coach to the iconic Battle of Waterloo site, climbed the Lion’s Mound for an epic view, and learned about the battle that changed European history forever. The history lessons didn’t stop there—a visit to the American WWII cemetery in Liège and the Battle of the Bulge museum in Bastogne gave us all goosebumps.”

One of the participants, Dr. Shara Grauberger, DVM class of 1996, says, “My husband and I had a lovely time touring Belgium with KSU! Walter and Barbara were so knowledgeable about Brussels and made our first trip abroad very enjoyable. The continuing education offering was a nice change of pace and allowed for individual questions from general practitioners to those with more advanced degrees alike.”

Dr. Alexiou says the trip was designed to offer veterinarians and their partners a unique way to engage in professional development while exploring the world.

“As one of the most beloved destinations in Europe, Belgium served as the perfect backdrop for our group to enjoy CE in an intimate setting,” Dr. Alexiou says.” We are already looking forward to future trips, and judging by the overwhelming feedback, so are our alumni!”

For anyone interested in this trip for 2025, scan the QR code for additional information.

A walking tour of Brussels includes a stop at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula. From left: Dr. Shara Grauberger ‘96, Dr. Walter Renberg, Darin Grauberger, Dr. Brett Fisher ‘17, Dr. Marcella Steele ‘17, Dr. Barbara Alexiou, Dr. Carin Ramsel,’03, Dr. Casey Hackett ‘02, Lisa Prichard, and Dr. Robert Prichard ‘00. Courtesy Photo.

At Home On The Range

Dr. Tom Bragg’s career focuses on care and management of bison herds.

Story by Joe Montgomery Photos by Beth Bragg

A swale is an impression that is formed in the ground by the constant movement of bison across a preferred path.

For Dr. Tom Bragg, there was not exactly a swale nor a preferred path, but instead, there was an unexpected journey that led him to work with bison.

“When I went to veterinary school, my main interest was horses,” Dr. Bragg recalls. “My grandfather was in the cavalry, and he taught me to ride and to appreciate horses. My father was a biologist — a prairie ecologist — and both my parents had gone to K-State. I wanted to follow a ranching-related career. I started undergraduate school in animal science, and, while I was in animal science, I started meeting more and more pre-vet and vet students.”

After spending time with several veterinary students, Dr. Bragg says he became more interested in veterinary school. Being from Omaha, Dr. Bragg was able to take advantage of the reciprocity program that K-State had with the state of Nebraska. This program allowed a certain number of students to study in the veterinary college under the instate tuition cost, while giving Kansas students similar access to medical school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

If you build it, you will learn

Dr. Bragg says that one of his side hustles during his time in veterinary school turned out to be an omen of what lied ahead. During his summers at college, he worked jobs building bison fence in Nebraska and later for Kansas State University at Konza Prairie near Manhattan.

“As I went through veterinary school, I found a passion for agriculture and working with the ranchers and beef production,” Dr. Bragg says. “I had a growing desire to be outside working on these properties and with their animals.”

After graduating with his DVM degree in 1993, Dr. Bragg went to a mixed animal practice in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, where he practiced for six years with a short stint in Nebraska.

“We were the only veterinary clinic in town,” he says. “But, during that one year I was in Nebraska, I met a rancher who had some bison, and he asked me if I would work on them. I said, ‘Sure, I’ve been around bison before.’ And so, I helped him out. He got me started thinking about it [changing career focus].”

In September of 1999, Dr. Bragg found a position with the Nature Conservancy in Colorado, where he managed a 103,000-acre bison and cattle operation in the San Luis Valley.

Dr. Tom Bragg follows a herd of bison at Snowcrest Ranch in Montana. Photo by Aaron Paulson.

“I took that job in southern Colorado and just fell in love with it,” Dr. Bragg says. “I didn’t grow up on ranches, so there really wasn’t an easy path for me to move into a family ranching operation. I wanted to be more involved that way and get to know a property and a herd really well. And I found a passion for that. So, in 1999, I left the practice and started managing bison herds. I never looked back, and now I’ve been working with bison for 25 years!”

Dr. Bragg said family was another factor in his decision.

“Our family was really growing,” Dr. Bragg says. “We just had our first child a couple of years before, and we were expecting more. We ended up having three kids. I wanted to have a more flexible schedule and be able to spend more time with them. The veterinary practice had been really busy, and we were gone a lot, especially during calving season. Even though it was busy, I am so thankful for the time I had in that practice and for what it taught me and for the opportunities it has made available to me.”

Learning more about bison

“When I started working with bison, I didn’t really think there would be that much veterinary work other than some regulatory work for animal sales,” Dr. Bragg says. “And for several years that was true. But as time went on, we began to see more disease and health issues with bison.”

Dr. Bragg says there wasn’t much information on bison and that he had to develop relationships with other producers and researchers at universities and veterinary diagnostic labs to start figuring out what was going on.

“The bison universe is a small one and you get to know those people really quick,” Dr. Bragg says.

An opportunity came up for Dr. Bragg to join a new organization.

“When I moved to Turner Enterprises, there was already another person who worked as the organization’s veterinarian,” Dr. Bragg says. “I was managing a property, but I would help him out a lot. He lived in Montana, and I lived in Nebraska.”

Dr. Bragg says most of the Turner bison are in Nebraska and South Dakota. The staff veterinarian taught him a lot about bison and the common bison health issues, but then that veterinarian retired.

“About six years ago, he started transitioning into retirement,” Dr. Bragg says. “About four years ago, he retired completely, and I took over that position full time. It came at a good time with all of our children having started their own lives and that’s when I moved to Rapid City [South Dakota].

Now that my full-time job is the veterinarian, I don’t manage

a property anymore, but I have an incredible opportunity to travel to the other properties frequently.”

Dr. Bragg says it has been an interesting journey.

“I really enjoyed bison and working around them,” Dr. Bragg says. “It’s funny, the things I never would have thought I’d have been involved in 25 years ago when I stepped away from general practice, but here I am.”

Research and teaching

Dr. Bragg embraces the mission of the Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture, which is “To research, practice, and disseminate sustainable strategies and techniques for conserving ecosystems, agriculture and rural communities.”

“While working under the Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture, we cooperate with researchers at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and other universities as well as state and federal agencies to perform studies on many of our properties,” Dr. Bragg says. “Our work focuses on bison health, behavior, grazing management and bison production practices as well as a wide array of wildlife and ecosystem functions.”

Dr. Bragg is currently collaborating on research studies on Mycoplasma bovis in bison.

“I have been helping collect samples including deep nasal swabs and blood for use in these studies on two different properties,” Dr. Bragg says. “We are involved in a lot of research with multiple partners, and we make that research available to other bison producers as well as those involved in bison conservation and wildlife management. It is really a team effort.”

The bison work takes Dr. Bragg to several locations. Turner has ranches in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and New Mexico, which includes about 45,000 bison on 13 different ranches in five different states.

“I have a veterinarians’ license in each of those states that I have to maintain,” Dr. Bragg says. “Much of the time during the year, I’m in South Dakota, but there are a lot of times where I’m traveling to one of the ranches, mostly while they are handling their bison or if there are specific health concerns.”

Dr. Bragg has an adjunct faculty appointment with SDSU, where he spends part of his time providing outreach.

“I often travel and give presentations to various groups regarding bison health and management as well as discussing the research projects we are conducting on our properties,” Dr. Bragg says.

Dr. Bragg treats a bison with Dr. Danielle Buttke, a veterinary epidemiologist and the One Health coordinator for the National Park Service.

The groups range from veterinarians, researchers and bison producers to veterinary students and animal-science students at SDSU’s new class in bison studies.

“Turner’s interest in bison includes a blend of conservation and ranching for production,” Dr. Bragg says. “Along with promoting ecosystem health, we have to survive financially, so there are a lot of bison that go into production. As you can imagine, with the annual reproduction from 45,000 bison, we have about 10,000 bison that we need to move off of our properties every year to protect our forage resources. These animals are used in both grain-fed and grass-fed meat sales.”

Dr. Bragg says that some Turner bison herds are also kept for their unique genetics.

“We’re looking at trying to conserve the genetics in those herds,” Dr. Bragg says. “And management is what we’re focusing on, from maintaining genetic diversity to addressing health issues and disease concerns.”

Making connections with students

Dr. Bragg says he started an externship program two and a half years ago.

“There was a student out of Colorado State University who happened to know somebody in our company and wanted to see if there was an opportunity for an externship,” Dr. Bragg says. “For years I’ve been trying to set up an externship program and to have veterinary students come out, but then you just get busy — and you don’t get it all set up. Well, this student at CSU helped me get it going.”

In February 2025, Dr. Bragg hosted Mikayla Lacher, a fourth-year K-State veterinary student.

“She reached out through the National Bison Association, so I called her back,” Dr. Bragg says. ”Students usually want to come do an externship in the summer because it’s convenient, but the summer is really slow for us. Most of our bison work happens between October and the end of February. Right now, it’s just a one-week externship, but we will work bison every day.”

Dr. Bragg says the students participate in ultrasound procedures for pregnancy checks and learn to manually palpate the bison too.

“In addition to pregnancy diagnosis, we do vaccinations, and we’ll perform necropsies if there are any available,” Dr. Bragg says. “We bleed 20 head and send samples into the lab for routine titer checks on our herds to see if they’ve been

exposed to any of the pathogens we’re looking at. And we always talk about how we manage the herd.”

Dr. Bragg says a huge part of managing bison is how a person handles the bison.

“I try to give the student some time learning from the people who have taken low-stress livestock handling classes,” Dr. Bragg says. “It’s probably one of the least emphasized subjects but has the biggest impact on managing bison.”

The path less traveled

Dr. Bragg says he believes a veterinary education is extraordinary for the opportunities it creates.

“I’m thankful for the things that it’s afforded me to be able to do — it’s the reason I’ve gotten this far, especially in this position,” Dr. Bragg says. “It’s not the typical path that a lot of veterinary students go to veterinary school for, but it’s really pointed out to me that if you really enjoy something — if you just hang around it long enough — it seems like the positions start to show up.”

Dr. Bragg did not envision his career would involve bison management, but as a K-State-educated veterinarian, he was well-prepared to follow this path.

Alumni Fellow Award

2024 recipient Dr. Howard Erickson, DVM 1959

Dr. Howard Erickson ’59, Manhattan, Kansas, earned his bachelor’s degree in veterinary medicine in 1959 and his doctor of veterinary medicine in 1959, both from K-State. He has taught in the college since 1981 and is an ambassador for the College of Veterinary Medicine and K-State.

After graduating with his DVM, he joined the U.S. Air Force as a commissioned officer. While in the Air Force, he received a Ph.D. in veterinary physiology from Iowa State University in 1966. He joined the faculty at the Air Force’s School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in Texas.

Dr. Erickson returned to K-State as a professor of physiology in the Department of Anatomy and Physiology. He has been a prominent researcher in exerciseinduced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses and an outstanding instructor. Erickson has received numerous awards and honors during his time at K-State, including the Merial Teaching Excellence Award, the E.R. Frank Award, the IVX Teaching Excellence Award and was the first recipient of the Roy Walter Upham Endowed Professorship of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Erickson has a passion for the history of veterinary medicine and has shared his enthusiasm both through his teaching and his writings. In 2005, he co-authored the book, “A Century of Excellence,” which chronicles the first 100 years of veterinary medicine at K-State.

He serves as secretary-treasurer for the K-State Veterinary Medicine Alumni Association and was the past president of the American Veterinary Medical History Society. Dr. Erickson retired in 2011 as professor emeritus, and continues to share his love of history and the veterinary profession by teaching the history of veterinary medicine.

Dr. Erickson and his wife, Ann, have two adult sons, Jim and David.

Dr. Howard Erickson delivers the keynote address for the Alumni Fellows celebration in April 2024. He is known for his interest in history, particularly veterinary medicine. He talked about some of the famous people from his hometown of Wahoo, Nebraska.

86th annual conference for veterinarians

2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Steven Hodes, DVM 1979

Dr. Steven Hodes, was born in White Plains, New York. He attended Ohio University and earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology in 1973. He briefly attended Ohio State University before coming to Kansas State University in 1975 to attend veterinary school. Soon after graduating from K-State in 1979, he established the Hodes Veterinary Group and Mobile Veterinary Service in Mine Hill, New Jersey, which grew into a practice with eight veterinarians serving both large and small animals. Dr. Hodes retired in 2017 and sold his practice to an associate veterinarian, Dr. Kris Conway.

Dr. Hodes and his wife, Colleen, then moved to Andover, Kansas. Their son, Dr. Brian Hodes and his wife, Dr. Jessica Hodes (both 2011 K-State graduates), own and operate the Hodes Veterinary Health Center nearby in Rose Hill. Although retired, Dr. Hodes consults and assists regularly at the Hodes Veterinary Health Center.

While living in New Jersey, Dr. Hodes served on the local school board and the Rockaway Environmental Commission. He served the Morris County Sheriff’s K-9 unit 35 years and the Morris County Park Police Mounted units‘ horses for over 30 years. Later, Dr. Hodes was appointed by the state of New Jersey to be the veterinary service provider for a state-operated pig farm and the black bear and wildlife management program.

2024 Distinguished Alumnus Award

Dr. Megan Ehlers, DVM 1999

Dr. Megan Ehlers, Lincoln, Nebraska, earned a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1995. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University in 1999. For eight years, Dr. Ehlers was part-owner of a practice. While there, she specialized in orthopedics, oncology and rehabilitation. In 2007, with the help of her classmate Dr. Kevin Christensen, Dr. Ehlers organized an emergency hospital in Lincoln. She served on the board of directors for this clinic for its first five years. In February 2012, she opened Ehlers Animal Care.

Dr. Ehlers has served as the chairman of the Lincoln emergency hospital that she co-founded. She has been on the board of directors at a number of nonprofit organizations including the Lincoln Childrens Zoo, City Impact and The YMCA of Lincoln. She coached a number of youth sports through the YMCA and was a mentor with Tom Osborne’s mentoring program, Teammates, for a number of years. Dr. Ehlers also served on the School Board at Lincoln Christian for four years. She served with the health department on a special committee created to establish parameters for human chiropractors and physical therapists to work on animals.

2024 Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

Dr. Shawna Hawkins, DVM 2016

Dr. Shawna (Cikanek) Hawkins, Omaha, Nebraska, grew up in Hutchinson, Kansas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 2011, master’s degree in veterinary biomedical science in 2013 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2016, all at Kansas State University. She is a board-certified specialist in zoological medicine and a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator. Dr. Hawkins is currently an associate veterinarian at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Dr. Hawkins’s post graduate training includes small animal medicine and surgery rotating internship at the University of Wisconsin, a specialty internship at the Phoenix Zoo, and a residency in zoological medicine through the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Milwaukee County Zoo and International Crane Foundation. In 2022, Dr. Hawkins received the American Association of Veterinary Clinicians annual resident’s award which selects one resident from among all residency training programs across all veterinary disciplines in the United States. After residency, she was a Clinical Instructor of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine at the University of Madison-Wisconsin for two years before joining the team at the Omaha Zoo.

2024 E.R. Frank Award

Dr. Rose McMurphy

CVM faculty 35 years of service to the college

Dr. Rose McMurphy, Manhattan, Kansas, attended the University of Idaho from 1975 to 1978. She was accepted into the veterinary college at Washington State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science in 1979 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1982. Dr. McMurphy completed a internship at Cornell University in 1983 and an anesthesia residency at the University of Florida in 1986. She accepted her first faculty position at the University of Saskatchewan in 1986 and then joined Kansas State University in August 1989. She has earned the rank of full professor in anesthesiology and is a diplomate of both the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and American College of Veterinary Emergency Critical Care.asts addressing important issues in the beef cattle industry.

Dr. McMurphy teaches “Veterinary Surgery I” and “Topics in Emergency Medicine” to third-year students and “Clinical Anesthesia” and “Emergency Medicine Critical Care” for fourth-year students.

2023-2024

Alumni recognition awards

American Association of Equine Practitioners 2023

Dr. Charles Boreson, DVM 1973

Dr. Charles Boreson, Tucson, Arizona, earned a Doctor Veterinary Medicine degree in 1973 from Kansas State University. After graduation, Dr. Boreson started his own equine practice, Sunkist Equine Clinic, in 1980 in Tucson, Arizona. He retired from his practice in 2014 after 38 years of service. While Dr. Boreson is still a member of AAEP, he is now considered an Honor Roll Member, which are for those 70 and above with 40 consecutive years of membership. Dr. Boreson served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Veterinary Medical Association (AZVMA) from 1995 to 1997. In 2000, he received the Large Animal Practitioner of the Year award from the AZVMA.

Veterinary Meeting & Expo 2024

Dr.Matthew Edson, DVM 2011

Dr. Matthew Edson, Eastampton, New Jersey, is the founding dean and professor of clinical sciences at the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University. He grew up on his family’s farm in Eastampton. Before graduating from Rutgers University in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and biology, he worked as a lifeguard and paramedic. Dr. Edson credits his experience in emergency services with giving him the confidence to launch Rancocas Veterinary Associates, a mixed animal practice, in his hometown after he earned his DVM at Kansas State University in 2011.

Dr. Edson was named as one of the top 50 healthcare influencers by NJ BIZ in 2022 and 2023 and was voted “Best Veterinarian” by the Burlington County Times (in a reader’s choice contest) from 2018 to 2022. He was awarded by the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 2012 and 2013 for service as County Animal Response Team veterinarian.

Western Veterinary Conference 2023

Dr. Adam Ruskin, DVM 1990

Dr. Adam Ruskin, Tampa, Florida, originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania obtained dual bachelor’s degrees at Penn State University in 1985. He earned his DVM from Kansas State University in 1990. He went on to complete a Master of Public Health degree and a doctorate, both in epidemiology, from Emory University in 1992 and 1993, respectively.

Dr. Ruskin started his career as an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) where he put the standards in place to convert the voluntary state reportable infectious disease databases into a mandatory standardized federal database. While in Atlanta, he became the first epidemiologist at Grady Hospital’s new HIV treatment facility, where he helped develop the first FDA-approved treatment for HIV, wrote the software for HRSA to distribute federal funds to HIV treatment and care facilities, and was appointed to a presidential advisory committee on HIV treatment and research.

American Veterinary Medical Association 2024

Dr. Lynn Stucky. DVM 1983

Dr. Lynn Stucky, Denton, Texas, was raised on a farm five miles south of McPherson and ten miles north of Mound Ridge with his five siblings. A proud graduate of K-State, he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1979 followed by his DVM in 1983. Shortly after graduating, Dr. Stucky moved to Texas to find a place to begin practicing veterinary medicine, where in 1986, he bought into veterinary practices in both Denton and Sanger. In 1997, he opened his own practice. With over 40 years as a veterinarian, hehas cared for the over 9,000 animals. Dr. Stucky served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the 64th District and has also served on the board of the Sanger Independent School District for 15 years, four as the president. He is a member of the AVMA, a lifetime member of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, a former member of the Denton County Animal Advisory Board and the Bayer Animal Health International Advisory Board, and he is a long-time veterinary volunteer for PRCA rodeo events.

Fetch dvm 360 2024

Dr. Ralph Richardson, DVM 1970

Dr. Ralph Richardson, Olathe, Kansas, served as dean and CEO of the K-State Olathe campus from 2015 to 2019 after serving 17 years as the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. Originally from South Carolina, he grew up in Manhattan, Kansas and earned his DVM from K-State in 1970. After graduating from K-State, Dr. Richardson served as a captain in the United States Army Veterinary Corps from 1970 to 1972. He then completed an internship in small animal medicine and surgery at Purdue University in 1973. This was followed by the completion of a residency at the University of Missouri-Columbia in small animal internal medicine in 1975. After spending a year in private practice in Miami, Florida, he returned to Purdue where he joined the clinical faculty. Dr. Richardson was appointed as dean of the veterinary college at K-State in 1998. Under his leadership, enrollment experienced controlled growth from a graduating class of 79 students in 1998 to a class size of 112 by the time of his retirement in 2015.

American Association of Bovine Practitioners 2024

Dr. Ken Odde, DVM 1982

Dr. Ken Odde, Pollock, South Dakota, received his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University in 1973. Following two years in the Army, he then attended Kansas State University where he earned a master’s degree in reproductive physiology in 1978, a DVM in 1982 and a Ph.D. in physiology in 1983. Dr. Odde served as assistant professor, associate professor and professor at Colorado State University from 1983 to 1994. He taught and conducted research in beef cattle reproduction and health. In 1994, Dr. Odde returned to his home area in South Dakota and joined the technical services team at SmithKline Beecham Animal Health. In 2007, Dr. Odde joined Kansas State University’s Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, retiring as department head in January 2018. He oversaw undergraduate enrollment grow from 793 students in 2007 to 1,226 students in 2017, as well as an increase in faculty and research productivity in the department.

Dr. Steven Smith, DVM 1990

South Dakota VMA President Dr. Heather Lerseth-Fliehs presented the 2023 Veterinarian of the Year award to Dr. Steve Smith of Groton, South Dakota. This award is made annually to an SDVMA member who has significantly contributed to the veterinary profession and to the animals and clients they serve.

Dr. Smith has an undergraduate degree from South Dakota State University and received his DVM from Kansas State University in 1990. After graduating, he practiced in Harrisburg and Plankinton, developing a thriving equine practice. Dr. Smith moved to Groton in 1996 to establish his current practice. Along with Dr. Neil Lund and his K-State classmate, Dr. Jeff Stolle, he established a practice that has since grown to four veterinarians and nine support employees and serves clients all over northeastern South Dakota.

In addition to his equine medicine work, Dr. Smith also developed a dairy practice and an interest in small animal orthopedic surgery. He is an active member of his community and a volunteer for many local organizations and active in his local church. He has served on his local school board and served in several positions in his church. Dr. Smith served as a member of the South Dakota Veterinary Exam Board

and as a member of the SDSU Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory advisory committee.

Drs. Victor Anspaugh and Lonnie Willis, DVM 1969

Last year, two members of the class of 1969 — Drs. Victor Anspaugh and Lonnie Willis — were part of Kansas Honor Flight 98C. They received special recognition along with other Kansas veterans who served our country during the WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War eras. The Kansas Honor Flight is an all-volunteer organization that works to honor Kansas veterans of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War by providing them with an allexpenses paid journey of honor and remembrance to visit their memorials in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Guy Palmer, DVM 1980

Dr. Guy Palmer, K-State DVM class of 1980, was one of 65 scientists selected for the American Academy of Microbiology’s Class of 2024. He is the senior director of global health at Washington State University.

Left: Dr. Victor Anspaugh ‘69 (circled) joins a fellow group of veterans during a Kansas Honor Flight event in Washington D.C. Right: Classmate Dr. Lonnie Willis visits the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

Dr. Andrea Dover, DVM 1999, and Dr. Caitlin Klepper, DVM 2016

In 2024, two different K-State CVM alumni have joined CodaPet, a network of veterinarians that provides end-of-life pet care at home. Dr. Andrea Dover graduated from K-State in 1999. She practices in Vancouver, Washington. In the first half of her career, she embraced the adrenaline rush of emergency medicine. Later, she transitioned into the role of educator, imparting her knowledge to future veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

Drs. Erin ‘04 and Ben ‘02 Schroeder deliver the keynote address during the 2024 commencement exercises. These Nebraskans have been featured on the Nat Geo Wild TV show, “Heartland Docs, DVM” since 2020.

Dr. Caitlin Klepper graduated from K-State in 2016 and practices in Des Moines, Iowa. Her journey began as an associate veterinarian near Kansas City, where she worked for six years honing skills and appreciation for surgical procedures and the unique connections formed with clients and their beloved pets. In 2022, she relocated to Iowa and established her own business, allowing her to provide relief veterinary services to local clinics while also offering in-home pet euthanasia services.

Drs. Erin, DVM 2004, and Ben Schroeder, DVM 2002

Season 5 of the TV show “Heartland Docs, DVM” premiered on the National Geographic Wild channel in October 2024. It is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States. In picturesque, rural Hartington, Nebraska, Drs. Erin ‘04 and Ben Schroeder ‘02 are a married team of veterinarians whose unbridled commitment to the community’s generational farmers is paramount to the preservation of the nation’s food supply. Along with their teenage sons, Charlie and Chase, the doctors are always on the go as their veterinary practice cares for the region’s myriad of animals in need, including cows, pot-bellied pigs, llamas, deer and possum. The Schroeders were the keynote speakers at the CVM’s 2024 commencement exercises.

Dr. Jenna Dockweiler, DVM 2014

In March 2024, Dr. Jenna Dockweiler was included in a special video series produced by DVM 360. After earning her DVM at K-State in 2014, she completed a comparative theriogenology residency at Cornell University in 2017 and became a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists that year. She practiced small animal theriogenology and general practice for four years prior to becoming a veterinary geneticist with Embark veterinary.

Dr. Paige Anderson, DVM 2016

The team at TimberCreek Veterinary Hospital in Manhattan was named as one of four finalists for the 2023 AAHA-Accredited Practice of the Year. This facility is owned by Dr. Kelly Lechtenberg, DVM class of 1987, and his daughter, Dr. Paige Anderson, DVM class of 2016, who serves as the managing partner for the clinic. The associate veterinarians are also K-State alumni: Dr. Kellie Lewis, DVM class of 2014; Dr. Alecia McAtee, DVM class of 2015; and Dr. Whitney Sloan Plummer, DVM class of 2022.

Dr. Lauren Herd, DVM 2023

The K-State Community Outreach rotation met up with the Wichita chapter of The Street Dog Coalition Wichita for the first time in February 2024. One of the goals for the outreach program is graduating clinicians prepared to serve their communities. The work occurring in Wichita is great proof of product as this chapter was founded by an alumnus of the Shelter Medicine program, Dr. Lauren Herd, DVM class of 2023. Wildcat veterinarians are continuing to impact their communities! This group has served more than 200 families in just three events.

Dr. David Granstrom, DVM 1978

After 22 years with the AVMA, Dr. David E. Granstrom is retiring in March from his position as assistant executive vice president and chief accreditation and certification officer.

Dr. Janet Donlin, AVMA CEO, said he has done a “tremendous amount” for the Association while making the announcement at the end of the AVMA House of Delegates regular winter session on Jan. 11 in Chicago.

Dr. Granstrom received veterinary and Ph.D. degrees in 1978 and 1988 from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, respectively. He is a charter diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Microbiology (parasitology).

He also was an assistant and associate professor of veterinary parasitology in the Department of Veterinary Science at the University of Kentucky from 1988-97. His primary area of research was equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a debilitating neurologic disease of the horse. His research resulted in development of the first effective diagnostic test; identification of the method of disease transmission; development of the first Food and Drug Administration–approved treatment; and development of effective guidelines for the prevention and control of EPM.

Dr. Granstrom first joined the AVMA in 1997 as assistant director of the AVMA Education and Research Division, where he provided professional staff support for several AVMA councils and committees, including the AVMA Council on Research.

Dr. Lauren Herd ‘23 joins CVM Outreach Director Dr. Ron Orchard ‘22, at a Street Dog Coalition event in Wichita.

Dr. David Granstrom represents the AVMA at an AAVMC Annual Conference held in Washington D.C. He recently retired after 22 years of service with the AVMA. Photo by Cable Risdon.

He left in 2001 to become associate director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service’s Animal and Natural Resources Institute. Dr. Granstrom also completed a 21-year career as a public health officer in the Kansas and Kentucky Air National Guard during this period, retiring as lieutenant colonel in 2005.

Dr. Granstrom returned to the AVMA in 2008, this time as director of the AVMA Education and Research Division from 2008-13. He then was promoted to the assistant executive vice president position, which is responsible for governance and administration. He also provided oversight of AVMA accreditation and certification activities, the AVMA Finance and Business Services Division, and the Digital Services and Solutions Division.

Dr. Granstrom told delegates, “It’s been an honor and a privilege and a highlight of my career. There’s nothing like veterinary medicine. We continue to attract people to this profession who are naturally altruistic and believe in the greater good. We do things for the right reasons, because it’s the right thing, and I hope you all continue doing that.”

Dr. Hailey Mueller, DVM 2018

In 2024, the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) chose Dr. Hailey Mueller of Independence, Kansas, for a $125,000 grant. Hers was one of only 19 Rural Practice Enhancement, or RPE, grants awarded nationally. RPE grants have a three-year duration and funds directly support veterinary clinics and practices by providing up to $125,000 for the purchase of equipment to enhance food animal veterinary services in a designated veterinary shortage situation area. RPE grants are administered through the Veterinary Services Grant Program.

Dr. Mueller’s research noted the ratio of veterinarians to cattle in her practice area stood at 1 to 13,794. In recent years many veterinary practitioners have transitioned from treating food animals to caring for pets. Dr. Mueller’s practice runs about 60% large animal to 40% pets and exotic animals. Dr. Mueller finds the goals of the pet owners and the food producers to be different. “The goal of a pet owner is usually longevity and quality of life. Food producers also value quality of life for their stock, but economics play an important role. I enjoy the challenge of meeting all needs for all clients.”

1947

Dr. Marvin Alfred Norby

Nov. 25, 2023

Sioux Falls, Iowa

1953

Dr. Billy Joe Edundson

April 16, 2024

Olympia, Washington

1955

Dr. Richard L. Wampler

Jan. 23, 2024

Lincoln, Nebraska

1956

Dr. Merwin Frey

Oct. 9, 2023

Waltham, Massachusetts

Dr. Fred Wingert

Aug. 9, 2023

Wichita, Kansas

1957

Dr. Wayne E. Bailie

Sept. 7, 2023

Manhattan, Kansas

Dr. Gerhard Adolph Malm

Aug. 28, 2023

Valley Falls, Kansas

Dr. Raymond F. Sis

July 6, 2023

Munden, Kansas

1959

Dr. Alvin John Edwards

Oct. 19, 2023

Kearny, Nebraska

Dr. Roy Nielsen, Jr

Nov. 21, 2023

Mesa, Arizona

Dr. Jerry J. Schafer

March 31, 2023

Wichita, Kansas

1960

Dr. James Richard Brighton

July 31, 2023

Allen, Kansas

Dr. Glenn T. Hartke

Dec. 28, 2023

Manhattan, Kansas

Dr. Robert Swanson

July 5, 2023

Brookings, South Dakota

1961

Dr. Neil Martin Boodman

Oct. 28, 2023

Huntington Beach, California

1963

Dr. Cliff Noffsinger

Oct. 16, 2023

Clay Center, Kansas

1964

Dr. Francis Patrick Moynagh

Feb. 27, 2024

Krum, Texas

Dr. Robert ‘Doc’ Snider

April 22, 2023

Los Alamos, New Mexico

1965

Dr. William J Schapfel

Dec. 2, 2023

West Bend, Wisconsin

1966

Dr. Paul Leroy Huff

Dec. 3, 2023

Colorado Springs, Colorado

1967

Dr. James Lyman Corlis

June 13, 2023

Beaumont, Maryland

Dr. Larry Keith Dresher

Feb. 27, 2024

Prineville, Oregon

Dr. Ronny Lee Pemberton

Oct. 23, 2023

Decatur, Texas

1970

Dr. William H. Fuhrman

April 12, 2024

Aberdeen, South Dakota

Dr. J. Raymond McClure Jr. Feb. 4, 2024

St. Gabriel, Louisiana

Dr. Gary Swails Sept. 29, 2023

Broxville, New York

Dr. James Phillip Wright Jan. 6, 2024

Lake George Colorado

1972

Dr. Richard H. Fell Jan. 5, 2024

Holly, Colorado

Dr. Peter Joseph Kaufman Nov. 9, 2023

Savannah, Georgia

Dr. Philip Jackson Neal June 21, 2023 Lees Summit, Missouri

1974

Dr. Michael Irwin Good May 13, 2020 Springfield, Missouri

1977

Dr. Robert Shipman June 14, 2023

Overland Park, Kansas

Dr. Kay William Wheeler April 3, 2024 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1979

Dr. Martin “Marty” Pattison Sept. 20, 2023 Roswell, New Mexico

1980

Dr. Robert Frederick Musil Aug. 11, 2023

Overland Park, 2023

1985

Dr. James Randolph Kidd Jan. 15, 2024

Lawrence, Kansas

1986

Dr. Robert Preston Morris

Feb. 1, 2024

Corvallis, Oregon

2003

Dr. Monica Sue Moore

Dec. 10, 2023

Douglass, Kansas

2014

Dr. William Kennedy Theus Oct. 14, 2023

Boerne, Texas

2019

Dr. Laura Grace Erbe

March 7, 2024

Altoona, Kansas

A Life of Compassion & Service

From nursing to rescue to legacy giving.

Story by Audrey Hambright

For many, the trajectory from nursing to animal rescue to philanthropy might seem like an unexpected leap, but for Cheryl Mellenthin, the transition was not only natural, but deeply fulfilling. From her start as a nursing student at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to her transformative work rescuing animals and funding educational initiatives, her journey is a testament to a life lived with purpose, compassion and generosity.

A passion for care

In 1979, Cheryl earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. With a nursing career spanning several decades, her path took her to Corpus

Christi, Texas, to escape the harsh northern winters, and eventually to Houston. It was here she found her calling in the neonatal intensive care unit at Texas Children’s Hospital, where she worked for 19 years.

The heart of a rescuer

Cheryl’s love for animals began in 1979 when she rescued her first dog, a miniature poodle. Little did she know this act of kindness would evolve into a life-changing mission. Over the years, Cheryl would rescue hundreds of dogs, cats and even a few horses, giving them not just a second chance at life, but a forever home.

Cheryl Mellentin (right) speaks at the dedication of the first mobile surgery unit in 2015. Dr. Brad Crauer (left) director of the Shelter Medicine Program at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. Photo by K-State Photo Services.

In 2003, her passion for animal welfare reached a new level when she founded Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUPS), a program aimed at tackling the root cause of pet overpopulation: unspayed and unneutered animals. With the vision of reducing the number of abandoned and unwanted pets, PUPS helps families who cannot afford the cost of spaying and neutering their pets. Through this program, Cheryl and her team have provided financial assistance for over 47,000 spay and neuter procedures across nine rural counties west of Houston. It’s a staggering number that underscores the reach and impact of her work.

“The goal is simple,” she explains. “We want to reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters and decrease the burden on animal rescue organizations. If we can prevent unwanted litters, we’re taking a giant step toward solving the overpopulation crisis.”

Today, Cheryl is surrounded by over 70 rescue animals on her ranch, including 50 dogs, seven cats, four horses, three donkeys and some cattle. It’s clear her dedication to animals extends far beyond her work with PUPS — it’s a lifestyle!

A shared vision: Philanthropy with Mark Chapman

In 1987, Cheryl met Mark Chapman, a budding entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry. Their shared passion for philanthropy would become a central part of their partnership, and in 1999, they married. Together, they forged a legacy of giving, particularly to Kansas State University, where Mark was a 1965 alumnus.

Mark was a philanthropist at heart, donating generously to causes he was passionate about, including the Chapman Theatre and Gallery, the refurbishment of stained-glass windows at the K-State library and the acquisition of Steinway pianos for the university’s music department. As a sports enthusiast, he also helped support multiple athletic programs at K-State.

After Mark’s death in 2014, Cheryl assumed leadership of the Mark A. Chapman Foundation, continuing his work to benefit students, faculty and community members at K-State. Among the foundation’s most notable contributions are the Chapman indoor and outdoor shot-put arenas, the Cheryl Mellenthin Hammer Throw arena and numerous scholarships. But perhaps one of their most significant shared endeavors came through an encounter with Dr. Bonnie Rush, the Hodes Family Dean of K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Transforming Veterinary Education: A Legacy of Compassion

It was after their first meeting Dean Rush that the idea for a mobile spay/neuter unit was born. As an advocate for animal welfare, Cheryl immediately saw the potential for such a project to not only reduce the number of unwanted animals, but to serve as an educational tool for veterinary students.

“When Mark asked me about it, I couldn’t have been more enthusiastic,” she recalls. “Spaying and neutering is something I am passionate about. It was an opportunity to save lives and provide students with real-world experience.”

Mark and Cheryl helped fund the first mobile unit and, over time, Cheryl would go on to fund a second unit, followed later by a third — a “Wellness on Wheels” initiative designed to provide care and spay/neuter services to underserved communities across Kansas and Southern Nebraska.

The impact of these mobile units has been profound. In addition to providing much-needed care for shelter animals, they provide K-State veterinary students with invaluable hands-on experience. Students now leave the program with

Cheryl and one of her dogs, Wink. Courtesy photo.

over 50 surgeries under their belt, performing operations on animals at shelters that might otherwise not have received care.

“The students get to work with animals who often have underlying health conditions,” Cheryl explains. “The students learn how to handle complex situations, which better prepares them for their careers as veterinarians.”

To further ensure sustainability of the shelter medicine program, Cheryl later provided donation to support a shelter medicine professorship.

Cheryl’s philanthropy also includes support for the clinical skills laboratory which opened in 2018. Clinical skills provide technical skills instruction for students in every semester during the first three years of veterinary school. So, it’s no surprise that this would be important to Cheryl as she developed a strong appreciation for the importance of strong technical skills through her years as a pediatric nurse.

A lasting legacy

Today, Cheryl remains an integral part of both the Mark A. Chapman Foundation and PUPS. She is the president of an oil and gas company and continues to oversee her ranch and farms in Kansas and Nebraska. Despite these responsibilities,

she is also deeply involved in her church as the handbell director and serves on the board of directors at Citizen’s State Bank in Sealy, Texas.

But for all her professional achievements and activities, it’s her commitment to animals, education and philanthropy that truly defines Cheryl’s legacy. Cheryl is such an important part of K-State’s veterinary program that during the 2022 commencement ceremony, the college awarded Cheryl with an Honorary DVM degree.

“Her lifelong commitment to mitigating the homeless pet population has inspired a generation of animal care workers,” says Dean Rush. “Her vision to provide training opportunities has strengthened the skills, aptitude and service mindset for more than 1,000 new veterinarians. There is no parallel to her vision, dedication and lifelong commitment to animals in need.”

Kansas State University President Richard Linton, right, congratulates Cheryl Mellenthin after presenting her with an honorary DVM from the university and college. Joining them are the CVM’s Hodes Family Dean Dr. Bonnie Rush and Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success Dr. James Roush. Mellenthin is a longtime supporter of the college’s shelter medicine program. Photo by Grad Images Inc.

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Dr. Ken Harkin bonds with a

patient during the first ICU Reunion held summer 2024. Photo by Audrey Hambright.