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All in the Family: LSU School ofVeterinary Medicine Celebrates LegaciesALUMNI ISSUEMAY/JUNE 2008Also Inside:Treating an ElandSaving AlligatorsLSU SVM Class Agent Program

LETTER FROM THE ALUMNI & PUBLIC PROGRAMS COORDINATORhave a reception for the milestone reunion classes of1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003 at a localhotel with dinner to follow. There will also be a jobfair the afternoon before the conference (October17). More information on all of this, as well as theconference agenda, will be available soon.It’s been a busy six months since I moved fromDevelopment here at the School of Veterinary Medicineinto the Alumni and Public Programs position. I havevisited numerous clinics, talked with many of our alumnion the phone, and helped host alumni receptions fromOrlando to Las Vegas and cities in between. I’veenjoyed meeting so many of our alumni and renewingsome old friendships.The next few months will continue to be busy as weplan more activities. Our next reception will be heldduring the AVMA conference in New Orleans. We’ll bechanging the venue on this one and going outside thehotel. The reception will take place at the Tropical Islein the French Quarter. Please consider joining us therethe evening of July 21 (from 6:30 p.m. until), whetheryou’re going to the conference or not.The Alumni Reunions this year will be held during theSchool of Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Conferenceon October 18, but will be in a different format. We willWe wrapped up the Annual Campaign TelephoneAppeal at the end of April. It was a great success, withover $12,000 in donations pledged. Class agents willbe in touch with those alumni who did not receive atelephone call to discuss the campaign. There is alsomore information about the campaign on page 21 ofthis issue.There continue to be terrific public programs likethe Great Rover Road Run, Open House, and theInternational Exhibition on Animals in Art. We hopethat you can join us for these events each year ifyou’re in the area. This was our 26th Annual OpenHouse (remember when it was your turn?) and the 21stAnimals in Art Exhibition. Both were great successes,with large numbers in attendance.It is an exciting time to be in alumni affairs. We inthe Institutional Advancement Office are dedicatedto reconnecting with our alumni. We want to remindyou of the good times, find out where our challengesare, and build a stronger allegiance. Your School willalways be here for you, and my door is always open.Gretchen MorganAlumni & Public Programs Coordinatorwww.vetmed.lsu.edu/svm_alumni_&_donors.htmLSU SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE ADMINISTRATIONDr. Peter F. HaynesDeanDr. Thomas R. KleiAssociate Dean for Research and Advanced StudiesDr. Joseph TaboadaAssociate Dean for Student and Academic AffairsDr. David F. SeniorAssociate Dean for Advancement and Strategic InitiativesErnie TanoosAssistant Dean for Finance and Administrative ServicesSchool of Veterinary MedicineLouisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, Louisiana 70803Administration 225-578-9900Small Animal Clinic 225-578-9600Large Animal Clinic 225-578-9500www.vetmed.lsu.edu

ON THE COVERLSU School ofVeterinary MedicineCelebrates LegaciesThe LSU SVM was founded in 1968 and acceptedits first students in 1973 for the Class of 1977. Sincethat first class, the SVM has graduated over 2,000veterinarians. Some of those veterinarians have a lotin common. Children of alumni are following in theirparents footsteps, and there are many other familyconnections as well. Full story on page 2.COVER PHOTO: Dr. Veronica Paul-Duncan (LSU 2005) [left] and hermother, Dr. Debbie P. Guillory (LSU 1983), attend the reception at theLSU School of Veterinary Medicine after commencement in May 2005.ABOVE: LSU graduate Dr. Neil Henderson (left) works in aveterinary practice in Stonewall, La., with his father, fellow LSUgraduate Dr. Robert Henderson (right).Page 4 Page 13Page 8TABLE OF CONTENTSAll in the Family....................................................................... 2Alligator Research................................................................. 4New Faculty................................................................................ 7Treating an Eland................................................................... 8A Moment in History ..........................................................10Looking Back at the SVM..................................................12SVM Events.................................................................................13Alumni Profile.........................................................................14Alumni Tracks and Baby Vets.........................................16Class Agent Program..........................................................18Mobile Emergency Response Unit................................20New Books Benefit the LSU SVM...................................22Supporting the LSu SVM & Forever LSU...................23Ginger GuttnerEditorKathleen HarringtonWriter and WebmasterLa Veterinaire is published by the Louisiana State University,School of Veterinary Medicine, Office of Public Relations.Communications should be addressed to Editor, La Veterinaire,School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, BatonRouge, LA 70803, or sent via e-mail to gguttner@vetmed.lsu.edu.

All in the FamilyDr. Robert Henderson (LSU 1977)In 1973, Robert Henderson was accepted into the LSUSchool of Veterinary Medicine’s first class. He started hisveterinary education in January 1974. Seventeen years later,his son, Neil Henderson started classes at the LSU SVM.“I had to fulfill admission requirements for veterinary schoolsin Oklahoma, Texas and Auburn because we didn’t knowif the LSU school was going to start,” said Dr. RobertHenderson. “I went so far as to talk to Auburn, and I visitedover there, but they ended up sending my application backbecause LSU started their program.”“Being the first class, we got lots of hands-on experienceand received a very well-rounded education,” continuedRobert, who worked with Dr. Sam Monticello, a large animalpractitioner in Lake Charles, La., for three years aftergraduation. However, being from north Louisiana, he wantedto return there and did so in 1980, working for two other largeanimal practitioners. In 1984, Robert opened his own practicein Stonewall, La., located eight miles south of Shreveport.While the practice was a majority equine practice at that time,it is now primarily a small animal practice.“I did not encourage Neil to become a veterinarian becauseof the economics of the profession and because the amountof time on-call is difficult,” said Robert. “He sometimes wentwith me on calls and watched me lay on my stomach for twoor three hours in the middle of the night, so he knew it washard. I also wanted him to know about the business side ofveterinary medicine.”“It’s important for veterinary students to focus at leastsome on operating a business,” adds Robert. “Veterinaryprofessional knowledge and experience is good, but it’s notenough. I wanted him to understand that this can be a toughprofession, but when he decided, I was tickled to death.”Dr. Neil Henderson (LSU 1995)Dr. Neil Henderson was seven years old when his fathergraduated from that first veterinary school class. “I havebeen surrounded by veterinary medicine all of my life and2

absolutely love it,” said Neil. “After high school I followed inmy dad’s footsteps and attended Louisiana Tech for threeyears and then was accepted into the LSU SVM in 1991. Iwas the first son of an alumnus to graduate from the schoolwhen I finished in 1995.”Like his father, Neil worked with Dr. Sam Monticello in LakeCharles when he did a preceptorship at this practice in thespring of 1995. “During that six-week period, we had moreinteresting cases than I could have dreamed of,” said Neil.“It was pretty neat to work and learn from someone that mydad had worked for. I also did a preceptorship with Drs. SteveEverson and Milton Williams in the fall of 1994, and they couldnot have been more helpful to me.”After graduating from the LSU SVM, Neil joined his father inhis mixed animal practice in Stonewall. “By being a graduateof the LSU SVM, I was very prepared for the challengesthat awaited me when I graduated,” said Neil. “The learningprocess is continuous and that is a very fun part of it forme. The veterinary community is a very close knit family,and there is always someone willing to lend a helping hand.One person that has gone out of his way to challengeand teach me is Dr. Greg Gill. He has never hesitatedwhen I have asked him for advice or asked to learn a newprocedure. Fortunately, veterinarians are like that. We arealways interested in teaching others and reaching out to ourcommunity to benefit them and their pets.”The other person that influenced Neil was his father. “I startedriding with him on farm calls when I was 10 or 11,” said Neil.“I took the good with the bad, and that means I was the onewho went with him to help pull a calf at night or work on acolic on a Sunday afternoon. I learned very early how toproperly clean a cage and a stall and help keep the grasscut at the office. I learned how gratifying it can be to help aperson with a beloved pet that is in trouble. Dad knew thatit was important for me to see all of the different aspects ofveterinary medicine before I embarked on this career path.He never encouraged me nor discouraged me to pursueveterinary medicine as my career; he merely laid a strongfoundation for me to be successful in whatever career thatI was going to choose. We still learn from each other everyday, and we both take a great deal of pride in graduating fromthe LSU SVM.”Dr. Debbie Guillory (LSU 1983)In 1979, Dr. Debbie Paul (now Dr. Debbie Paul Guillory)started veterinary school at LSU. “I was never going to doanything else,” said Debbie. “As soon as I knew what ananimal was, it’s all I wanted to be.”After graduating in 1983, Debbie returned home to Vidalia,La., and opened her own practice. Her daughter Veronicawas four years old at the time (she was nine months old whenDebbie started veterinary school). “Dr. Penny Serio was aclassmate of mine, and she and I took turns taking care ofVeronica,” said Debbie. “My second daughter Lindsey wasborn in May 1983, the year I graduated.” Debbie has fourchildren, and three of them are involved in medical fields.Debbie had that first clinic for about 12 years before shepurchased some land and opened her current clinic in Vidalia.After graduating in 2005, her daughter Veronica joined thepractice. “It’s a lot of fun working together,” said Debbie. “It’ssometimes hard for us to do things together outside of thepractice because of emergency calls. At work we complementeach other, since I’m a little old school, and she’s new school.I didn’t push her to go into veterinary medicine; she made thedecision on her own.”All in the Family continued on page 6LEFT: Senior composite photographs(from left to right) of Drs. RobertHenderson, Debbie Guillory, NeilHenderson, and Veronica Paul-Duncan.ABOVE LEFT: Dr. Neil Henderson(left) from the LSU School of VeterinaryMedicine Class of 1995 works in amixed animal practice in Stonewall, La.,with his father, Dr. Robert Henderson(right) from the Class of 1977.3

ResearchABOVE: Venipuncture from the ventral coccygeal vein in an alligator.RIGHT: Dr. Javier Nevarez (left) works with personnel from the LA Department of Wildlife andFisheries on an alligator farm.LSU Veterinarian’s Work Benefits AlligatorIndustry in LouisianaEven after cutting massive losses to the $50 millionLouisiana alligator industry by discovering that West NileVirus was the cause of holes developing in their skins (thusseverely reducing their value), Dr. Javier Nevarez is stillvery involved in alligator agriculture. Dr. Nevarez, assistantprofessor of zoological medicine, is a specialist in the fieldof alligator health. Under research grants from the Alligatorand Fur Council of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries (LDWF) and from the USDA’s Animal and PlantHealth Inspection Service, Dr. Nevarez is working to improvethe health of Louisiana’s alligators and provide support forLouisiana’s alligator industry.The LDWF manages the American alligator (Alligatormississippiensis) as a commercial, renewable naturalresource for the state. The Department’s alligator programties the management and conservation of the state’s alligatorsto maintaining Louisiana’s wetland ecosystem. This providesbenefits not only to the species, but to its habitat and the otherspecies of fish and wildlife associated with alligators.One of Dr. Nevarez’s projects is focused on thepharmacokinetics of tetracycline for treatment of bacterialpneumonia of alligators. By determining the distributionand concentration in the tissues of animal’s body afteradministration of the drug, Dr. Nevarez expects to be able toestablish the most efficacious dosage protocols, which willenable alligator farmers to make sure the treatment regimensthey administer are both effective and cost-efficient.Because alligator meat is intended for human consumption,it cannot be sold if drug residues are higher than a level4

set by law, so it is necessary to withhold treatment for acertain period of time before slaughter. “Our research willhelp determine the clearance rate of tetracycline afteradministration to farmed alligators, so that the necessarywithdrawal time can be established,” said Dr. Nevarez.Some of the farmed alligators are released to the wild eachyear, which is another area of concern for Dr. Nevarez. Oneof his major interests is evaluating how diseases of captivealligators can affect wild populations, so he conducts healthsurveillance surveys of those farmed animals that are to bereleased.Alligators are released each year from March through August,and this summer marks the second year of the on-goinghealth surveillance study. “We look at a subset of the gatorsthat will be released,” he said, “and do various tests on themto determine their health status.”In 2007, a hundred alligators (20 each randomly selectedfrom five different farms) were brought to the LSU School ofVeterinary Medicine for a full clinical evaluation and necropsy.This year, Dr. Nevarez plans to expand the test group to150. In addition to being screened for West Nile virus andMycoplasma alligatoris, a bacterium that causes an acutelethal cardiopulmonary infection in alligators, the test subsetsare examined grossly for any obvious signs of disease, andsamples of blood, lung, liver, and feces are collected foranalysis. These will be cultured for bacteria, examined byelectron microscopy for viruses, and evaluated for parasites.“We want to make sure these alligators not only are healthyon the farms, but that they do not introduce diseases backinto the wild,” said Dr. Nevarez.The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries alsosponsors clinical consultation services for the alligatorfarmers. Farmers who notice any unusual behavior or signs ofillness among their alligators can consult with Dr. Nevarez fordiagnostic testing and advice.Dr. Nevarez received his DVM and his PhD from the LSUSchool of Veterinary Medicine in 2001 and 2007, respectively.He is currently an assistant professor of zoological medicinein the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.5

All in the Family (continued)Dr. Veronica Paul-Duncan (LSU 2005)Dr. Veronica Paul-Duncan started veterinary school at LSU in2001 and graduated in 2005. “I’ve grown up in it [veterinarymedicine],” said Veronica. “I don’t ever remember not beingat the clinic or not being a part of this. It’s something I cando where I can have the best of both worlds and work withpeople and animals. I’ve seen some pretty remarkablerelationships between people and their animals, and it’s anhonor to have someone trust you with their animal.”Like Robert, Debbie did not push her child to go intoveterinary medicine. Veronica recalled a long conversationshe had with Dr. Dennis French, professor of veterinaryscience and professor of food animal medicine and surgery.“I wanted to make sure that I was doing this because this waswhat I truly wanted to do and not just because it was familiar,”said Veronica. “I would have to say if anyone helped me todecide that this was what I wanted to do, it was Dr. French.”“If I had to give veterinary students any advice, it would beto remember that you went through a lot to earn your seatand you’re going to go through a lot to keep your seat,” saidVeronica. “There were days when I was in school that I justdidn’t see the point of what we were being taught, but in theend, it all teaches you patience and how to persevere. One ofthe neatest people that helped me the most was Gaye Gomilain the Student Affairs Office. If you were stressed out, youcould just put your head on her desk, and she’d reach acrossthe desk, pat your head, and tell you it would be okay.”“I’m glad that I attended LSU,” adds Veronica. “Dean[Michael] Groves was a very personable dean, and Dr.[Peter] Haynes was always available. I had a lot of clientcommunication as a student, and that makes a big difference.You were pushed to learn how to articulate a conversationand how to explain things to clients.”After graduation, Veronica immediately embarked on herveterinary career at her mother’s practice. “I graduated onMonday and picked up my license to practice on Tuesday,”said Veronica. “I was there when they opened the office andasked them to print my license. My first appointment was at1:00 p.m. on Wednesday.”Veronica recently lost over 160 pounds and had her first child,Tenny Joseph Duncan, on April 1, 2008. She is the LSU SVMclass agent for the Class of 2005 and is still working at thesame practice as her mother. Now she brings her son to workwith her. Debbie adds, “If you pick a job a love, then younever work a day in your life.”With the Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2008on May 12, the LSU SVM has graduated 2,257 veterinarians.Of those, several have family connections to the LSU SVM,including parents and children, siblings, aunts and uncles,cousins, and spouses. “We consider all ofour graduates to be a part of the LSU SVMfamily,” said Gretchen Morgan, alumni & publicprograms coordinator. “We look forward toseeing more and more relatives of our alumnichoose veterinary medicine as their profession.”For information on alumni activities andresources, please go to www.vetmed.lsu.edu/svm_alumni_&_donors.htm.LEFT: Dr. Debbie Guillory (left) from the LSUSchool of Veterinary Medicine Class of 1983congratulates her daughter Veronica Paul-Duncan after she receives her white coat atthe Coating Ceremony for the Class of 2005.6

Clinical Case StudyTreating an Eland Presents UniqueChallenges for LSU Veterinary SchoolTreated by Drs. Gary A. Sod (LSU 2001), assistant professor of Farm Animal Health; Patricia Queiroz, assistant professor of veterinary anesthesiology; TimmGudehus, equine surgery resident; Luis Santos, anesthesiology intern; and Andrew Lewis, equine surgery intern.In February, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine treatedFernando, a seven-year-old eland from the Hattiesburg Zoo inHattiesburg, Miss. The eland had been kicked in the face bya zebra and had an open displaced mandibular fracture.ketamine. There was no way to know how the animal wouldrespond to the anesthesia, and John Wright, general curatorfor the Hattiesburg Zoo, is writing a paper on this particularcase.The eland was difficult to approach. Using a pole syringethrough the trailer, the eland was given 40 cc of ketamineIM. Adult horses usually receive 10 cc intravenously prior tosurgery. The eland had already received 30 cc of ketamineprior to being loaded into the trailer and coming to LSU.Once he was sedated, the anesthesiologist was able to insertan IV in a vein behind the ear and infused another 20 cc ofIt took 10 people to move the eland from the trailer, onto acart and into the surgery recovery stall, which is a paddedstall next to the surgery suite with a moveable floor used totransport large animals from the barn into surgery. The elandwas moved from the stall into the surgery suite and onto thesurgery table.8

For the next two years, university administrators met with aSREB Committee that was attempting to determine the needand the training capacity for regional students in veterinarymedicine. In May 1972, the director of the SREB requestedtermination of the Louisiana contract. In October 1972, theSREB notified President Woodin of the unilateral cancellationof the SREB/LA contract beginning in the fall of 1973. Theaction was initiated by the Texas A&M University Collegeof Veterinary Medicine. The purpose of this action was topressure LSU to announce the program start date. On May 7,1973, LSU announced that instruction in veterinary medicinewould begin on January 4, 1974, with the application periodto begin on May 18. All Louisiana applications to regionalschools were returned to LSU.Admissions Committee decisionswere announced on August 17,1973. One hundred and twenty sixapplications were received, and 36candidates (30 male and six female),all from Louisiana, were admitted tothe first class of the LSU School ofVeterinary Medicine. The Louisiana/SREB training spaces for veterinarymedicine were released, and theUniversity requested assignment oftraining spaces at LSU for the fall of 1974.A comparative summary for graduates during the first 13years of instruction (1977-1989) is available. Similar datafor the remaining years have not been compiled. The totalnumber of graduates during the period was 885 (92.6% ofthose enrolled). Of these, 245 (28%) were from out of state:Arkansas (194), West Virginia (36), Mississippi (8), andPuerto Rico (7).Two hundred and fifty-two applications were received for thesecond class, and 48 candidates (32 male and 16 female)were admitted. Of these, 36 were from Louisiana, six werefrom Arkansas, three were from Mississippi, and three werefrom West Virginia. The fourth entering class was the firstwith 80 candidates. Of these, 56 were from Louisiana, 15were from Arkansas, five were from Mississippi, and four werefrom West Virginia. As the program advanced, the numberOne hundred and twenty sixapplications were received,and 36 candidates (30 maleand six female), all fromLouisiana, were admittedto the first class of the LSUSchool of Veterinary Medicine.of regional students per entering class varied, as did theparticipating states, with the exception of Arkansas.Over the years, the protocol for determining eligibility of outof-stateapplicants has changed. The make-up of the Classof 2008 upon admission to the LSU School of VeterinaryMedicine is an indication of how diverse class membershiphas become. Of the 83 candidates admitted in the fall of2005, 54 were from Louisiana; nine were from Arkansas; foureach were from New York and Puerto Rico; two each werefrom Florida, Maryland, Michigan, and Pennsylvania; andone each were from Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, andTexas.Listings of veterinarians by states isavailable through the various stateassociation directories, but these donot give a true indication of institutionalalumni practicing within a particularstate. Association members arelisted with personal details, includingthe institution that awarded theDVM degree by year. Non-memberveterinarians are not listed; however,the total number is usually noted. Forexample, the 2008 American Veterinary Medical AssociationDirectory lists 615 veterinarians as members practicing inArkansas. Of these, at least 195 (32%) are LSU graduates.However, there are 150 non-members practicing in Arkansasfor which there is no personal information.Louisiana has the highest number of LSU alumni practicingwithin the state. The AVMA lists the number of memberveterinarians for Louisiana as 1,004, with at least 595 LSUgraduates (over 59%). Additionally, 185 non-memberveterinarians are listed for which there is no personalinformation.LSU alumni have been located practicing veterinary medicinein all SREB contract states and Puerto Rico.11

SVM EventsSue Loubiere, librarian emerita, was recognized for her 19 years of service tothe International Animals in Art Exhibition. Former and current deans attendingthe event are Dean Emeritus Michael G. Groves (dean from (2000-2006), DeanEmeritus William L. Jenkins (1988-1993), Sue Loubiere, Dr. David L. Huxsoll(1995-1999), and Dean Peter F. Haynes (2007-present).Two hundred and sixty-one people participated in the Hill’s 15th AnnualGreat Rover Road Run on March 29 at the LSU School of VeterinaryMedicine. One hundred and ninety people participated in the one mile funrun/walk, and one hundred and six people ran in the 5K. Once again, thisyear’s major sponsor was Hill’s Pet Nutrition.The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine opened its 21stInternational Exhibition on Animals in Art on March 29. Morethan 200 guests attended the opening reception. The exhibitionclosed on April 27 but can be viewed on-line at www.vetmed.lsu.edu. The Dog’s Chair (left), an acrylic by Albuquerque,N.M., artist Marjie Bassler, received an SVM Award and will befeatured on the 2009 International Exhibition on Animals in ArtShow program.Select third- and fourth-year veterinary students,graduate students, residents and interns, and facultywere inducted into the Tau Chapter of Phi Zeta on April24. Phi Zeta is a national Veterinary Honor Society, theobject of which is to recognize and promote scholarshipand research in matters pertaining to the welfare anddiseases of animals. The Tau Chapter of Phi Zeta wasinstalled on March 30, 1977, with Dr. C.W. Titkemeyeras Chapter President. Phi Zeta is the abbreviationof the Greek word Philozoi, which means “love ofanimals.”13

Alumni Profile1988 Alumnus Dr. Mark MikelonisWhat made you want to be a veterinarian?While growing up I always had a love of animals, and in mylate teens had given serious thought to pursuing a careerin human medicine. The decision was made for me while Iwas working with veterinarians after high school. We workedon different species and in various areas from orthopedics,to internal medicine, to dentistry, to dermatology and soon. As I learned more about the profession, I rememberbeing totally intrigued by the multifaceted role a veterinarianplayed in many fields. I knew then, that I wanted that kind ofchallenging career for my future.What was LSU SVM like when you attended?One expression: “ fire hose.” We were quickly assimilatedinto information processing machines, and I thought it wasgreat! You learn early on that veterinary school really is justthe beginning of the learning process and continues on everyday in practice. Sharing the intensity and completion of aveterinary curriculum with your classmates creates memoriesand bonds that last a lifetime.How did the LSU SVM prepare you for your careerin veterinary medicine?Our class was the first to experience the newly introducedpreceptorship program. Trained with the combination ofacademics, fourth year clinics, and the preceptorship program,I literally “hit the ground running.” Learning to rapidly processinformation and solve cases helped to prepare me for mymilitary career as well. These days, with the current problembased-learningsystem in place at LSU SVM, the newgraduates I work with are excellent diagnosticians and evenbetter prepared than we were.14

What does the LSU SVM mean to you?LSU SVM and “Esprit de Corps” go hand in hand. Everyoneat the SVM, from administration to professors and clinicians,all worked as a team with a common goal: to teach usas much as they could about veterinary medicine in acompressed amount of time while being personally involvedin our education. I never felt like a number. That alonecreates enormous pride in one’s school and a willingness tolearn and grow as a clinician every day.What are some of your most memorable momentsfrom LSU?During first year, we were crazy enough to put on a classtheater performance in addition to our overwhelmingcoursework. The look on Dean Besch’s face when we actuallypulled it off was priceless. I believe he thought about makingfirst-year more difficult after that. Getting sprayed down ina war-of-the-hoses by your classmates during necropsycleanup always added to the fun. Of course, my classmates,John Nilz and Ricky Broussard, always seemed to get me tolaugh even during the most stressful of times.Any other interesting tidbits you’d like to share?Traveling around south Louisiana as a relief veterinarian, I’vehad the pleasure of working with some awesome colleaguesand their staff. The level of veterinary medicine beingpracticed around the state is impressive to say the least. Iindeed feel privileged to be a part of the veterinary profession.Bio Bullets• Relief veterinarian currently with Animal Medical Centerin Covington, La., and most enjoys orthopedic surgery.• Volunteer with the St. Tammany Parish Department ofAnimal Services animal shelter in Abita Springs, La.• Veteran of Desert Storm and Deny Flight (Bosnia-Herzegovina), having flown 50 combat sorties with the AirForce Reserve as an A-10 and F-16 fighter pilot.• Family includes his wife of 22 years, Cherie, and his 17year old daughter, Alexandra; pets include an Irish Wolfhound,three cats, and an amelanistic corn snake.Classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003 to celebratemilestone reunions in 2008 at Annual Conference for VeterinariansThe class of 1978 will become the LSUSchool of Veterinary Medicine’s secondclass to celebrate its thirtieth anniversaryat the 77th Annual Conference forVeterinarians and Veterinary Technicianson October 18. The Classes of 1983,1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003 will celebratetheir twenty-fifth, twentieth, fifteenth, tenth,and fifth anniversaries, respectively. Tofind out if your class is planning a reunionduring the Annual Conference, contactyour Class Agent or Gretchen Morgan,alumni & public programs coordinator, atgmorgan@lsu.edu or 225-578-9565.The Class of 1977 celebrated its 30th anniversary with a reunion at the AnnualConference for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians in November 2007.15

Alumni Tracks & Baby Vets1980Dr. Rosanne Hirsch is livingand working in the Shenandoah Valley,about 60 miles west of Washington,D.C. Her parents came to live withher and Sue after Hurricane Katrina.Rosanne has five cats and is anassociate veterinarian at the AnimalMedical Center of Frederick Countyin Stephens City, Va. It is a smallanimal practice with four other doctors.Rosanne is getting to do a lot of internalmedicine and stays busy as the practiceis about to expand. It has been eightyears since she was diagnosed andtreated for breast cancer, and she isdoing very well. Rosanne enjoys thehiking, canoeing and Civil War historythat the area has to offer, but she is stillan avid New Orleans Saints fan.1981Dr. N. Bari Olivier, associateprofessor of small-animal clinicalsciences at Michigan State University’sCollege of Veterinary Medicine, receivedthe Carl J. Norden DistinguishedTeacher Award in recognition of hisoutstanding teaching ability, leadershipand high moral character. He is aresident of Haslett, Mich.1997The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) announced thatJohn Dunn, DVM, PhD,has been awarded the 2008 James H.Steele award for excellence in veterinarypublic health. The award honors Dr.James H. Steele, who was the firstChief of the Veterinary Public HealthDivision at CDC in 1947, and who hasbeen a life-long advocate of veterinarypublic health. The award is given eachyear to a current or recent EpidemicIntelligence Service (EIS) officerwho has demonstrated outstandingcontributions to veterinary public health.John (EIS class of 2003) is honored forhis exemplary work to understand andprevent the transmission of zoonoticenteric pathogens from animals tohumans in public settings such as fairsand petting zoos. After completinghis DVM, John spent three years inmixed animal veterinary practice at TheAnimal Center, Inc. in Zachary, La. Hecompleted a PhD in veterinary medicalsciences at LSU in 2003. John receiveda commission in the U.S. Public HealthService and joined the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention in July2003 where he worked in the Foodborneand Diarrheal Diseases BranchFoodNet/NARMS group as an EpidemicIntelligence Service Officer. He currentlyserves as co-chair of the NationalAssociation of State Public HealthVeterinarians compendium committeeon measures to prevent diseaseassociated with animals in publicsettings. His interests include infectiousdisease epidemiology, zoonoses, andpre-harvest food safety.1999Dr. C. Andrew Novosadis the oncology section head at SugarLand Veterinary Specialists in SugarLand, Texas, where he and his wifeMeredith reside. Andrew is a Diplomateof the American College of VeterinaryInternal Medicine (Oncology).Dr. Susan Masson St.Pierre and her husband Tommycelebrated the birth of their first child,Jacob Thomas, on February 14, 2008.Jacob weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces andwas 17 1/2 inches long. Susan practicessmall animal medicine at Benton AnimalHospital in Benton, La., where she andher family reside.2000Dr. Christine WhatleySalvo and her husband Steve areproud to announce the birth of their babygirl, Claire Sophia. Claire was bornon January 16, 2008. She weighed8 pounds, 7.9 ounces and was 20inches long. Christine is an associateveterinarian at Hayfield Animal Hospitalin Alexandria, Va., and the Salvos residein Arlington, Va.2005 and 2007Dr. Lori “Nicki” Willis(LSU 2007) and Dr. Jae Chang(LSU 2005) were married on May 24,2008 in Las Vegas, N.V. Jae is currentlyemployed by Tropicana Animal Hospitalin Las Vegas, where the couple resides.Nicki is an associate veterinarianwith Valley Ranch Animal Hospital inHenderson, N.V.Alumni updates can be sent to theSVM using the form below or bysubmitting an on-line form on the SVMwebsite at www.vetmed.lsu.edu. Goto “Alumni & Donors” and then clickon “Keep in Touch” under “AlumniResources.”16

LSU Alumnus is new veterinarianin charge for usdaDr. Richard Cambre has acceptedthe position of Louisiana AreaVeterinarian In Charge for the USDA/APHIS Veterinary Service and willbe reporting to Baton Rouge on July6. The Veterinary Service protectsand improves the health, quality, andmarketability of the nation’s animals,animal products and veterinarybiologics by preventing, controlling and/or eliminating animal diseases, andmonitoring and promoting animal healthand productivity.Dr. Cambre was raised in New Orleansand attended Louisiana State University,where he received his B.S. degree inZoology and his DVM in 1978 from theLSU School of Veterinary Medicine.Following graduation, he participated inthe Zoological Medicine Internship at theSmithsonian National Zoological Park inWashington, D.C. In 1979, Dr. Cambrebecame the first full-time veterinarianin the Denver Zoo’s history overseeingdevelopment of both a new hospital anda staff that would eventually includeboth an associate veterinarian and aveterinary intern, along with a full-timelaboratory technician and additionalhospital and nursery personnel.Dr. Cambre returned to the National Zooas Head of the Department of AnimalHealth from 1994-1999. Most recently,in 2000 he assumed the role of Directorof the Miami Animal Import Center,which afforded him the opportunity tocontinue working with exotic birds of allkinds, occasional alpaca imports, and awonderful assortment of horses of everydescription. Outside of work Dr. Cambrepursues diverse interests includinghorticulture, music, photography,environmental issues and collegefootball.Drop Us A Line!Alumni updates can be sent to the SVM usingthe form below or by submitting an on-line form onthe SVM website at www.vetmed.lsu.edu.Go to "Alumni & Donors" and then click on "Keep inTouch" under "Alumni Resources."Mail to: Office of Public RelationsSchool of Veterinary MedicineLouisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LA 70803E-Mail: gguttner@vetmed.lsu.eduPlease let us know how you are doing and what is going on in your life. Complete and return this form to us today!Name_____________________________________________________________________________________ Graduation Year_______________Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home Phone___________________ Work Phone____________________ E-mail_______________________________________________News Item _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________May/June 2008 La Veterinaire17

Class Agent ProgramWhat is a Class Agent?A Class Agent is the channel through which our alumni keep in touch with the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.The Class Agent helps provide opportunities for classmates to contribute to and participate in SVM activities.Communications are a key factor in alumni involvement.The duties of a Class Agent include: communicating with classmates via phone/mail/e-mail/visits; writing letters in support of theSchool’s annual campaign; and assisting the alumni coordinator with updating and maintaining records.We’ll be looking for a few new Class Agents in the fall. Want to help? Contact Gretchen Morgan at 225-578-9565 or gmorgan@lsu.edu, or contact your Class Agent to find out how to get involved. A list of current Class Agents follows. The numbers followingthe year represent the number of current alumni in that class and the number of students that were in the graduating class,respectively.Class of 1977 34/35Dr. Steve GauntLSU School of Veterinary Medicine,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1978 44/47Dr. Chat KleinpeterKleinpeter & Cramer Equine,Prairieville, La.Class of 1979 46/48Dr. Alfred StevensSherwood South Animal Hospital,Baton Rouge, La.18Class of 1980 78/78Dr. Jim AchornPort City Animal Hospital, Pine Bluff, Ark.Class of 1981 78/79Dr. George RobinsonBanfield, The Pet Hospital,San Diego, Calif.Class of 1982 75/79Dr. Gary LevyLakeview Veterinary Hospital,New Orleans, La.Class of 1983 74/76Dr. Charles CarvilleCarville Veterinary Clinic, Plaquemine, La.Class of 1984 75/75Dr. Tim ArmstrongArmstrong Veterinary Hospital,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1985 74/74Dr. Brett BerryhillStaring Plaza Veterinary Center,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1986 73/75To be namedClass of 1987 74/74Dr. Becky McConnicoLSU School of Veterinary MedicineBaton Rouge, La.

Class of 1988 70/70Dr. Jackie Simon, Broussard, La.Class of 1989 73/75Dr. Rob ConnerAll Creatures Veterinary Hospital.Mountain Home, Ark.Class of 1990 76/77Dr. Phillip CancilleriHelouin Veterinary Hospital,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1991 64/64Dr. Fred McMullanAll Pets Hospital, Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1992 57/57Dr. Andy PlaucheDoiron Plauche Veterinary Clinic,Lafayette, La.Class of 1993 56/56Dr. Carrie Cowling FoxHighland Road Animal Hospital,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1994 62/63Dr. Amy GillLSU School of Veterinary Medicine,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1996 65/66Dr. Maureen Potts-McGlynn,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1997 74/74Dr. Patrick SextonDubach Veterinary Clinic, Dubach, La.Class of 1998 71/71Dr. Jennifer RitchiePerkins Road Veterinary Hospital,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 1999 66/66Dr. Amy BairnsfatherAcadiana West Animal Clinic,Marrerro, La.Class of 2000 80/80Dr. Shirani Hickman, Ferriday, La.Class of 2001 75/75Dr. Diane Wilson, Columbus, OhioClass of 2002 79/79Drs. Stephen and Lacie LeeSherwood South Animal Hospital,Baton Rouge, La.and Dr. J. Paul JenkinsVilonia Animal Clinic, Vilonia, Ark.Class of 2003 74/74Dr. Sara BlakesleyLone Mountain Animal Hospital,Las Vegas, N.V.Class of 2004 77/77Dr. Andrew DatersLSU School of Veterinary Medicine,Baton Rouge, La.Class of 2005 83/83Dr. Veronica Paul-DuncanMiss Lou Veterinary Clinic,West Vidalia, La.Class of 2006 76/76Dr. Alissa WhitneyAnimal Medical Center, Covington, La.Class of 2007 82/82Dr. Betsy Lau, Reno, N.V.Class of 1995 69/70Dr. Teresa AllenAll for Pets Veterinary Clinic, Cabot, Ark.RIGHT: Members of the Class of 1996 who attended the 2006 AnnualConference are (front row from left to right) Drs. Robin Viscardis, ChristyParish White, Bonnie Lee Cate, Danielle Callahan Sears, Anne ConnellaSerdy, Michael Whitlock (back row from left to right) Curt Ritchie, RobinMoore, Maureen Potts McGlynn (Class Agent), Julie Raffety Boone, LizVillars Patterson and Tom Lomax.ABOVE LEFT: Members of the Class of 1980 who attended the AnnualConference are (from left to right) Drs. Gary Warner, Jim Achorn (ClassAgent), Mike Smith, and Warren Joubert.19

Community OutreachLSU Veterinary School Acquires MobileEmergency Response UnitIn June 2006, the American Kennel Club Companion AnimalRecovery (AKC CAR) established the American Kennel ClubCompanion Animal Recovery Emergency Response UnitFund. In response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, theLouisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine(LSU SVM) partnered with the AKC CAR to develop a mobileresponse unit that can be used to respond to any naturaldisaster in which small animals are left injured or abandoned.The AKC CAR is providing partial funding for the purchaseand equipping of a mobile unit. The LSU SVM is providinga vehicle to pull the unit, staffing for the unit, and necessarysupplies.This unit will be used for emergency response and willserve as an active component of an integrated system forresponding to natural disasters. This unit will also significantlyenhance the ability of the LSU SVM to provide immediatecare to injured, dehydrated, or otherwise debilitated animals.During the interim, when the mobile unit is not being used fordisasters, it will be used as part of the Southeast LouisianaAnimal and Community Wellness student elective to supportanimal shelters participating in the program that do not haveadequate clinical facilities.20

ABOVE: Dr. Susan Eddlestone shows her niece, Lauren Arrigo, theshower station on the outside of the mobile unit. This shower stationcan be used to clean animals brought out of disaster areas.LEFT: This mobile emergency response unit will be used to respondto disasters affecting animals and in the interim will also be used aspart of a student elective to provide veterinary services to animalshelters that do not have adequate clinical facilities.RIGHT: The surgical area in the Emergency Mobile Response Unit.The unit with a truck to pull it is 32 feet long, and the trailerweighs 17,000 pounds. It has 18 cages, a pre-surgical/anesthesia area, and a surgery area. “The unit is fullyequipped for small surgeries and can accommodate anysize dog” said Dr. Susan Eddlestone, assistant professor ofcompanion animal medicine.In addition to the medical facilities, the mobile unit has airconditioning and heating, a bathroom, a diesel generator,and tanks to hold fresh water. “There is a shower station onthe outside of the unit so that animals brought out of disasterareas can be cleaned,” added Dr. Eddlestone.21

New Books Benefit the LSU SVMBook Chronicles Heroic Rescue ofHorses after Hurricane KatrinaKy Mortensen, director of advancement for the LSU Schoolof Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Health Studies Program, haswritten a book entitled Horses of the Storm: The IncredibleRescue of Katrina’s Horses. The book review states that inthe midst of Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, was born thelargest equine rescue ever. Ky presents readers with a collectionof gripping and ultimately inspiring first-hand accounts of howthe LSU’s Equine Rescue Team spearheaded a dedicated groupof heroic staff and volunteers that saved hundreds of horses.Horses of the Storm also contains take-away tips to preparehorse owners before, during and after a disaster. This book isavailable in paperback on-line at Barnes & Noble (www.bn.com)and Amazon (www.amazon.com). A portion of the proceedsgoes to the LSU Equine Health Studies Program.Molly the Pony’s Tale ofSurvival and HopeMolly the pony waits. She waits in her stall. She waits during thestorm. She waits for her owner to return. So begins the true storyof a patient pony who is rescued from a south Louisiana barnafter Hurricane Katrina and finds a new life on a farm with newanimal friends. But Molly’s tale of courage does not end here.When a dog on the farm attacks Molly, her front leg is badlyinjured. For a pony, a damaged leg is life threatening. To theamazement of veterinarians, though, Molly rises to her newchallenge. At the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, sheundergoes a rare surgery for horses: amputation of her frontleg. Now fitted with a prosthetic limb, Molly relearns how to walkand embarks again on a new mission in life: making new peoplefriends.To order Horses of the Storm, go to www.bn.com orwww.amazon.com. To order the Molly the Pony book, goto http://www.lsu.edu/lsupress. To view a video aboutMolly and the care she received at the LSU School ofVeterinary Medicine, go to http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/hurricane_information.htm.Pam Kaster is the author of Zydeco Goes to Horse Camp,an editor of the Equine Facilitated Mental Health Associationnewsletter, and a member of Equine Photographers Network.She managed an equestrian riding program for disabled ridersfor three years and continues to study natural horsemanshiptechniques. She has been a Red Cross disaster-preparednessvolunteer for twenty years and managed a Red Cross shelterduring Hurricane Katrina. She lives in Zachary, Louisiana, withher husband, three horses, three dogs, and a cat.22

DevelopmentStudents in the Class of 2009 take part in Problem-Based Learning (PBL), in whichthe class is divided into groups to diagnose a case and identify a course of treatment.PBL is part of the first-, second-, and third-year curricula.Endowments Support Students and FacultyStudent SupportEndowment for Educational Support—The Mary Bird PerkinsStudent Support Fund provides students with financialassistance to enhance their educational experience or to meeteducational needs. The funding can also be used to supportexpenses for attendance of training programs and educationalconferences and to serve as financial awards for specialachievements.Faculty SupportEndowed Chairs—The SVM seeks to fund three newendowed chairs that will provide for the recruitment andsupport of an internationally recognized scientist in eachacademic department.• The Department of Pathobiological Sciences will housethe chair in infectious disease research.Endowment for Graduate Student Stipends—Graduatestudents play a key role in SVM research. Increasednumbers of stipends will enhance SVM research capability.This endowment will provide financial support to graduatestudents seeking their master’s or doctoral degrees.• A chair in biomedical cell and molecular biology wouldenhance the already strong status of the Department ofComparative Biomedical Sciences.• A chair in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Scienceswill provide a veterinarian with a background studying diseaseproblems in small, large, and/or exotic animals.Each endowment will support the academic activities of thechair, including instruction and research, equipment andmaterials, professional development, and travel.23

DevelopmentYour Support of the Annual Fund is Vital to theSuccess of the SVMThe annual Advance Veterinary Medicine Fund is thecornerstone of advancement for the School of VeterinaryMedicine. The School’s long-term strategic plan setsprogressive goals and objectives that will advance veterinarymedicine locally, regionally and internationally. These highstandards can only be met through private sector donations toenhance our resources beyond appropriations. The future ofthe School is dependent upon the Annual Fund.Dr. Daniel J. Hillmann Club($100-$499)Donors who make an annual giftbetween $100-$499 are recognizedas members of the Dr. Daniel J.Hillmann Club. In 1973, Dr. Hillmannwas one of the first faculty membersappointed to the LSU School ofVeterinary Medicine, and he continues to teach anatomy toour veterinary students today.Dr. John D. Rhoades Club($500-$999)Donors who make an annual giftbetween $500-$999 are recognizedas members of the Dr. John D.Rhoades Club. Dr. Rhoades wason the faculty of the LSU School ofVeterinary Medicine from 1980-2005,and as Associate Dean of StudentAffairs he touched the lives of everyveterinary student during that time.Dr. William L. Jenkins Society($1,000-$2,499)Donors who make an annualgift between $1,000-$2,499 arerecognized as members of theDr. William L. Jenkins Society. In 1988, Dr. Jenkins wasappointed the second Dean of the LSU School of VeterinaryMedicine. He made extraordinary contributions to LSU asExecutive Vice Chancellor and Provost, Chancellor of LSU,and President of the LSU System.Dr. Everett D. Besch Society($2,500-$4,999)Donors who make an annualgift between $2,500-$4,999 arerecognized as members of the Dr.Everett D. Besch Society. In 1988,Dr. Besch retired as the first Deanof the LSU School of VeterinaryMedicine. He worked tirelessly for the veterinary schooland in 1968 saw the Louisiana Legislature approve theestablishment of the School.Dr. William H. DalrympleSociety ($5,000-$10,000)Donors who make an annual giftbetween $5,000-$10,000 arerecognized as members of theDr. William H. Dalrymple Society.Considered the “Father of VeterinaryMedicine” in the south central region of the United States, Dr.Dalrymple came to LSU in 1889 as professor of comparativemedicine and veterinarian of the experiment stations.Throughout his professional career, he was a member andofficer in numerous veterinary and agricultural organizations,and in 1905 was one of the charter members of the LouisianaVeterinary Medical Association.To support the annual Advance Veterinary MedicineFund, complete the form on page 25 and return it to theSVM today or go to www.vetmed.lsu.edu and click on“Support the LSU SVM.”24

Present and former Deans of the LSU SVM Meet forcommencement ceremony luncheonDeans of the LSU School of VeterinaryMedicine (from left to right): PresidentEmeritus William L. Jenkins (deanfrom 1988-1993), Dr. David L. Huxsoll(1995-1999), Dean Emeritus Everett Besch(1968-1988), Dean Emeritus Michael G.Groves (2000-2006), and Dean Peter F.Haynes (2007-present). Dr. Besch wasthe LSU SVM’s first dean and oversaw theconstruction of the Veterinary MedicineBuilding, which was dedicated in June1978. Dr. Jenkins went on to becomeProvost and Chancellor for Louisiana StateUniversity and then President of the LSUSystem.Advance Veterinary Medicine FundThank you if you have already contributed for 2007-2008.Hurry! You can still get credit for 2007-2008!I want my gift to support the 2007-2008 Advance Veterinary Medicine Fund (07/01/2007-06/30/2008)._____ Gift / _____ Pledge for the Hillmann Club ($100-$499), the Rhoades Club ($500-$999), the Jenkins Society ($1,000-$2,499), theBesch Society ($2,500-$4,999) or the Dalrymple Society ($5,000-$10,000). My pledge will be paid in _____ installments.Name ___________________________________________________________________________Graduation Year_______________Address___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Home Phone________________ Work Phone_________________ E-mail______________________________________________For credit card contributions: _____VISA _____MC _____AMEX _____DiscoverCredit Card Number______________________________________________________Expiration Date_________________________Cardholder’s signature _________________________________________________________________________________________Please make your check payable to: LSU FoundationMail to: Institutional AdvancementSchool of Veterinary MedicineLouisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, LA 70803Call 225-578-9900 or 225-578-9948 to make your gift by phone!Visit www.vetmed.lsu.edu/giving.htm to give online.May/June 2008 La Veterinaire25

Upcoming SVM EventsJune 19-22July 19-23July 1-August 3August 15-20August 18August 20October 18Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association Summer MeetingDestin/Ft. Walton, FloridaAmerican Veterinary Medical Association ConventionNew Orleans, LouisianaMerck/Merial Summer SymposiumMichigan State University, East Lansing, MichiganYear I OrientationSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LouisianaFall Semester beginsYear I Coating CeremonyAuditorium, School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana77th Annual Conference for Veterinarians and Veterinary Technicians andMilestone Reunions for the Classes of 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, LouisianaFor information on these and other SVM events, contact the SVM at 225/578-9900 or go to www.vetmed.lsu.edu.Louisiana State UniversityBaton Rouge, Louisiana 70803Non-Profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDPermit No. 733Baton Rouge, LA