In September the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), notified Dr. Valery Petrenko, Professor in the Department of Pathobiology, that he and his laboratory had competed successfully for recognition as a Center for Translational Cancer Nanomedicine. The five-year $1.7 million award is part of a larger, $13 million collaborative, inter-institutional initiative recognized by the National Nanotechology Initiative sponsored by NIH as a new Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence. Dr. Petrenko and his group will work with scientists at Northeastern University and Harvard Medical School.  The group will develop new, nanotechnology-based strategies for treatment of lung, pancreatic, and breast cancers.  Studies will involve both the design and testing of new nano-therapeutic strategies and related delivery systems.

An 11-year-old yellow Labrador retriever that swallowed a popsicle stick is Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Critical Care Case of the Year.

Buddy, the pet of Suzanne Thurlow of Auburn, came with other animals from across the Southeast on Oct. 10 to be honored during the annual Celebration of Life. Nurses and doctors selected these extraordinary cases from more than 1,500 animals treated in the past year by the Critical Care Program within the Small Animal Teaching Hospital. They gathered to share stories of survival and to present the Manny Morpeth Award for Case of the Year, named for the first recipient in 2002.

The purpose of the program is to welcome back some of the special animals and their owners who triumphed over adversity to survive despite overwhelming odds.

Buddy initially came to the College of Veterinary Medicine Small Animal Teaching Hospital for vomiting.  “He was diagnosed with a septic abdomen,” said Dr. Lenore Bacek, a resident in emergency and critical care. Further examination revealed his intestine had been perforated with a popsicle stick. Buddy underwent surgery three times before responding well to aggressive medical care.

The Critical Care Program is a same-day referral center designed to serve the needs of veterinarians in the Southeast. 

Attending the October 1 employee orientation session were Ricardo Irizarry, instructor, Clinical Sciences; Pam Haney, lab technician, Animal Health and Performance Program; Sarah Pauels, large animal/small animal technician, Clinical Sciences; Tina Matthews, large animal/small animal technician, Clinical Sciences; and Lixia Wei, postdoc, Pathobiology.

Dean Boosinger presented awards to the most spirited staff, faculty, and rotation at the Tiger Tailgate held October 22 in the lameness arena prior to the Auburn vs. LSU game. Those exhibiting the most Auburn spirit were:

Staff Amelia Pendleton   Research and Graduate Studies	Faculty Dr. Charles Hendrix  Department of Pathobiology	Rotation Oncology  Department of Clinical Sciences

The Southeastern Raptor Center will release red-tailed hawks into the wild at Storybook Farm in Opelika on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m.

“The hawks were presented with fractured wings or legs, and gunshot wounds,” said Liz Crandall, a raptor rehabilitation specialist with the Southeastern Raptor Center, part of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

The public is invited to view the release at Storybook Farm which is located at 300 Cusseta Road.  The 25-acre facility offers therapeutic equine-assisted activities for children to young adults.

A mission of the Southeastern Raptor Center is to rehabilitate injured, ill, or orphaned birds of prey.  Annually the center takes in between 200 and 275 birds of prey from across the Southeast. 

Tiger, a golden eagle and War Eagle VI, is 30 this year. Tiger has lived at Auburn University since 1986, but was hatched in captivity in 1980. Tiger was the first eagle to fly free in Jordan-Hare Stadium and, in addition to appearing in hundreds of educational presentations, fly at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

To celebrate and honor Tiger’s thirtieth year, nationally known artist Stephen Malkoff teamed with the Southeastern Raptor Center to create a pencil portrait of her. A giclee of the drawing will be unveiled during a halftime tribute at Auburn’s homecoming game on Nov. 6. A birthday party with Tiger as the guest of honor at the Auburn University Bookstore takes place at 9 a.m.

Pencil Portrait of Tiger

Only 3,000 lithograph prints are to be produced by nationally known artist Stephen Malkoff. Signed and numbered prints are available in framed or unframed formats. Artwork sales benefit the Southeastern Raptor Center and will be used to construct a welcome center at the Raptor Center’s amphitheater. To reserve your print, visit our website .

On October 21, the College of Veterinary Medicine had pledged $4,580 to the United Way of Lee County.  By making a contribution, you are part of a greater group uniting to improve the health, education, and income of our community. Please continue to return pledge cards to your department volunteer.  

The College of Veterinary Medicine is contributing to the SGA Food Drive which ends Nov. 19. Food drive barrels are located in:

• Greene Hall lobby
• the center hallways of Greene Hall
• the Small Animal Teaching Hospital near the mailboxes
• the Large Animal Teaching Hospital near the time clock

Non-perishable food or monetary donations can also be submitted to the SGA office or the East Alabama Food Bank. Or, purchase “pounds of food” online at www.beatbamafooddrive.com. Monetary donations are tax deductible.

SPIRIT POINTS: If you make an online donation and would like for the college to receive spirit points, please e-mail a copy of your online receipt, amount donated, and “College of Veterinary Medicine” name to Conor Gattis.

Last year the College of Veterinary Medicine donated more than 4,000 lbs. to Auburn's total of 164,034. That's two tons of food contributed by CVM faculty, staff, and students with many challenge donations. 

• Dr. Jey Koehler, a resident in anatomic pathology, who recently passed the certifying exam for the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.
• The Class of 2013 and the Department of Pathobiology – winners of the Bagels for Blood contest on October 6. The Red Cross thanks all those who donated to the blood drive. The College of Veterinary Medicine helped save 114 lives by donating 38 pints of blood.
• Sharron Barney (Clinical Sciences) on the Best of Breed win by her Great Dane “Liza” at the Great Dane Club of America National Specialty show.
• Natalie Royer and Liz Crandall of Clinical Sciences who are featured in a segment for  On The Job which showcases veterinary technicians. The television show provides Alabama citizens with a look at jobs available to them and the education and skills required to get these jobs and improve their lives. Their segment can be viewed online at www.onthejobtv.org.