Stephenson Pet Clinic Ribbon-cutting

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Hospital released a bald eagle on Thursday, March 16, 2023, in Theriot, La. The female adult bald eagle was released behind a church on Dularge Road near where she was found in the hope that she can reunite with her partner (eagles develop long-term bonds).

The LSU Vet Med Wellness Committee and Hill’s Pet Nutrition are hosting the Hill’s Great Rover Road Run, an annual 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk that promotes health and wellness for people and their four-legged friends all while raising money for the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital's Good Samaritan Fund, which helps homeless animals in need of medical care. All race registrations, proceeds, and donations benefit the Good Samaritan Fund. GRRR will take place Sunday, April 16 at 8 a.m. along the levee near LSU Vet Med (corner of Skip Bertman Drive and River Road).

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is participating in the 2023 ACVO/Epicur National Service Animal Eye Exam event. Service and Working Animal owners and handlers can register their animal to receive a free eye exam from one of 300+ veterinary ophthalmologists participating in the program, including LSU Vet Med ophthalmologists. Registration and appointments are made April 1-30, 2023, at www.acvoeyeexam.org. Eligible, registered service animals with scheduled appointments will be examined during the month of May as part of this event.

On Friday, March 3, at 5:15 p.m., the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine is pleased to present “Animal CSI” as part of its ongoing Tales from the Field series, which shines a spotlight on LSU Vet Med by sharing stories that exemplify our Vision, Mission, and Values. This program highlights the school’s vision of “Bettering lives through education, public service, and discovery.” Nanny Wenzlow, Dr.med.vet., PhD, DACVP, MRCVS, assistant professor of forensic pathology in the LSU Vet Med Department of Pathobiological Sciences, will present “Animal CSI” in the LSU Vet Med Library.

A life-long trail blazer, George Robinson was the first African-American from Louisiana to attend the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. He was only 19 when he was admitted. The North Baton Rouge native was also the first African-American Eagle Scout in Louisiana. Now, he has established another first, a scholarship for African-American students at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, helping to help pave the way for others to achieve their dreams. The Dr. George E. Robinson III, DVM, MSPH Graduate Scholarship was established to encourage historically under-represented students to pursue an education at the veterinary school.

An associate professor and an alumna from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine were both honored at the Louisiana Veterinary Medical Association annual conference in Lafayette, La., on February 11, 2023. Mustajab Mirza, DVM, DACVS, associate professor of equine surgery, received the Everett D. Besch Distinguished Service Award, and Christine Navarre, DVM (LSU 1990), DACVIM, professor of veterinary science, received the 2020 Dr. Ralph C. Cooper Award Veterinarian of the Year.

Oliver Garden, BVetMed, PhD, DACVIM, DECVIM-CA, dean of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, is pleased to announce the LSU Vet Med Distinguished Advocate of the Year Award. The recipient of this award lends their name and time to advocate on behalf of LSU Vet Med in many different ways to different constituent groups. In its inaugural year, this award will go to two friends of the school who give much of their time advocating on behalf of LSU Vet Med and working with the administration to plan new and innovative ways to help LSU Vet Med move forward in its missions to teach, heal, discover, and protect. The 2023 recipients of the LSU Vet Med Distinguished Advocate of the Year award are Lt. General Russel Honoré and Mr. Eric Sunstrom.

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine announced the 2022 Distinguished Alumnus Award recipients: Michael Graziano, MS (LSU 1981), Ph.D., Mark Mitchell, DVM, Ph.D. (LSU 2001), DECZM, and V. Hugh “Chip” Price, DVM (LSU 1980). The Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes alumni of the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for outstanding professional and personal achievements. Any graduate from Louisiana State University is eligible for the award. Candidates are recognized for their accomplishments in veterinary medicine or science and/or contributions to the community through public service.

Both puppy and owner were diagnosed with cancer and helped each other through the diagnoses and treatments.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine was instrumental in diagnosing and treating several horses in Louisiana infected with a suspected toxin. The investigation revealed a much wider problem, as the culprit was alfalfa cubes infected with Clostridium botulinum type C, which causes botulism. The quick resolution of this issue would not have been possible without the combined efforts of farm owners and staff, LSU Vet Med, LADDL, LDAF, UC Davis, and the FDA.

Class of '89 alumna, Rear Admiral Estella Jones, who combats global health threats, is featured on The Moth Radio Hour sharing personal stories about risk taking. In her segment, airing all the week of January 3, 2023, on NPR stations nationwide, she mentions LSU Vet Med as a turning point in her life.

Anaïs Musso, animal osteopath, has joined LSU School of Veterinary Medicine and will make available animal osteopathy treatments to patients through LSU Vet Med’s Integrative Medicine and Equine services as a complement to our other medical services.