CVM News
Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine News
Oct 8, 2025
College celebrates Young Achievers from Class of 2015
Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine proudly recognized three outstanding members of its Class of 2015 as recipients of the 2025 Young Achiever Awards during its Annual Conference on October 4. The awards celebrate alumni marking their 10-year reunion who have demonstrated exceptional professional accomplishments, meaningful contributions to their communities and a commitment to advancing animal and human health.
Oct 6, 2025
Soon after learning she would be receiving the 2025 El Toro Award for Excellence in Food Animal Medicine at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Annual Conference, Dr. Julie Gard Schnuelle did what came naturally to her. She took the opportunity to ensure others knew how much they were appreciated, sending off an email to her former large animal and food animal colleagues within the college to thank them for their support.
Oct 6, 2025
Wisdom meets work ethic: Vaughan mentee earns fitting award
Wherever Dr. Johnny Mac Smith practiced veterinary medicine, he carried the words of the late Dr. John Thomas Vaughan with him. From private practice to his co-founding of one of the nation’s largest equine hospitals, Smith’s office has always held a framed copy of a message Vaughan wrote in the yearbooks of the Auburn University DVM program’s Class of 1976.
Sep 24, 2025
‘One Health’ in action: Scott-Ritchey Center takes on global threat of rabies
When Dr. Doug Martin describes rabies as perhaps “the world’s oldest infectious disease,” he’s speaking in terms of millennia rather than centuries. “You can find depictions of it written on cave and pyramid walls,” said Martin, director of the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Scott-Ritchey Research Center and a professor in the Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology.
Sep 24, 2025
A heart for Hereford: Auburn DVM student earns chance to represent Team USA at world cattle event
While third-year Auburn University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student John Cox has laid eyes on Gulf Coast beachfront, it’s unlikely he will ever be found soaking up the sun on one. “I’ve never been to the beach on vacation,” Cox said. “I go to cattle shows.”
Sep 23, 2025
Tao earns 2025 Alumni Professorship
Awarded annually by the Auburn Alumni Association, the professorship recognizes tenured faculty who demonstrate excellence in research, teaching and service. Recipients are selected on the basis of their leadership and impact across at least two aspects of the university’s core mission areas. Tao will be recognized at the 2025 Endowed Faculty Recognition Ceremony, hosted by the Office of the Provost.
Sep 22, 2025
Auburn’s Cristopher Young testifies before House committee on threats to U.S. agriculture
Cristopher A. Young, an animal disease expert and veterinary professor representing Auburn University’s Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development, testified Tuesday before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Homeland Security.
Sep 19, 2025
Vet Med faculty members honored at Promotion & Tenure Reception
Ten College of Veterinary Medicine faculty members were recognized during Auburn University’s 2025 Promotion & Tenure Reception on September 18.
Sep 18, 2025
Baker shares insights on Auburn VetMed experience on podcast
For Walter Baker, veterinary medicine isn’t merely a career. It’s a calling shaped by curiosity, compassion, and a desire to help animals. “I’ve had a pretty strong conviction to be a veterinarian since about seventh grade,” Baker, a second-year Auburn DVM student, recalled on a recent episode of the podcast.
Sep 16, 2025
With a name like Robyn, some might say you’re destined to soar through life, working with all things winged and wonderful. “Spelled slightly differently, but yes, my life is absolutely for the birds,” said Robyn Miller. Miller, who was named director of the Auburn University Raptor Center (AURC) this past January, first came to the Plains a decade ago to study 19th century English literature. While earning her doctorate, she volunteered in the center’s rehabilitation and education departments.
Sep 16, 2025
One Health, One Mission Auburn’s Public and One Health program tackling global challenges head-on
The Public and One Health (PAOH) undergraduate degree program in the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine stands out as a unique public health program that utilizes One Health as its guiding principle.
Sep 15, 2025
From Dolly to debate: Student’s national award-winning essay explores ethics of cloning
When Allison Purtle decided to enter the American Veterinary Medical History Society’s annual student essay contest, she knew she wanted to tackle a topic that offered an equal blend of scientific curiosity and ethical complexity. Her resulting work – “Hello, Dolly! The History and Ethics of Animal Cloning and the World’s Most Famous Sheep” – earned the top prize in the AVMHS 2025 J.F. Smithcors Student Veterinary History Essay Contest.
Sep 4, 2025
Paws and applause: Celebrating Blood Bank donor dogs
There were no speakers at the commencement ceremony, but the graduates let out yawns every so often. Harley Ball and Edith Kendall, wearing blue graduation caps, occasionally sniffed the air and fidgeted while posing for photos to commemorate their special occasion. The two Dobermans marked their “graduation” from the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Blood Bank program after years of life-saving service.
Sep 2, 2025
CVM recognizes outstanding staff
The college honored nine employees during its Staff Recognition award ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 27. The awards are presented annually in recognition of how vital administrative staff and employees are to the college’s student education, animal healthcare and research efforts. A committee solicits and reviews nominations of individuals who go “above and beyond” in support of the college’s mission.
Sep 2, 2025
Repetition, reinforcement, trust: How Raptor Center training keeps eagles gameday ready
Just like a coach considers the starting lineup before a football game, choosing which eagle from the Auburn University Raptor Center (AURC) will make the famous pre-game flight in Jordan-Hare Stadium is a game time decision.
“About an hour before the game, we kind of look at their game face and decide,” said Andrew Hopkins, the center’s administrative coordinator. “We don’t know until an hour before kickoff who will be flying.”
Aug 28, 2025
Emergency Hope Veterinary medicine professor launches animal rescue team
Dr. Chance Armstrong’s life was forever changed in the aftermath of a fluke storm in Louisiana.
Today, he is an associate clinical professor in Auburn’s College of Veterinary Medicine, but in 2016, he was a resident and faculty member with Louisiana State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Baton Rouge. During that time, an unnamed storm system caused 13 deaths and $10 billion in losses, dumping three times as much rain on Louisiana as the historic 2005 Hurricane Katrina.
Aug 27, 2025
Cottingham to serve as NCURA Region III chair
Director of Research Program Development, Contract & Grant Administration Erika Cottingham has been elected to serve as the incoming chair-elect for the National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) Region III.
Aug 26, 2025
Vaughan Large Animal Hospital: The region’s best care for horses, farm animals
The hospital offers 24-hour emergency and critical care for both horses and farm animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, alpacas, llamas and pigs.
As soon as an animal arrives, it is examined by board-certified specialist veterinarians, residents, technicians and senior veterinary students who assess, diagnose and treat the patient. And when animals need specialized care during an emergency, the hospital has access to veterinarians who specialize in internal medicine, surgery, reproduction and ophthalmology.
Aug 26, 2025
Picture of health: How feline obesity diagnosis may change in the era of AI
Type the social media hashtag “fatcat” into an Instagram search and you will be greeted by more than 3 million photo and video posts featuring felines in varying stages of roly-polyness. One photo depicts a pet owner straining to lift a 38-pound orange marmalade-colored bundle of joy. Another video shows the fabric seat of a lawn chair collapsing beneath the weight of a chonky black-and-white cat.
Aug 22, 2025
2025 Annual Conference offers wealth of continuing education opportunities
For more than a century, Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine has served as a cornerstone of veterinary education in the Southeast. The college’s 2025 Annual Conference builds on that legacy while delivering leading-edge continuing education and professional development for veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, faculty members and industry professionals nationally and globally.
Aug 19, 2025
A leg up for giraffes: Auburn researcher explores hoof health
In contemplating the wonder and complexity of the natural world, the late author Kurt Vonnegut found metaphorical utility in stilt-legged, flexible-necked vegetarians capable of balancing 2,500 pounds of body weight on four feet the approximate diameter of dinner plates.
“Evolution is so creative,” Vonnegut wrote. “That’s how we got giraffes.”
Aug 18, 2025
Supporting tradition in flight: Raptor Center celebrates 25 years of eagles soaring over Jordan-Hare
It’s a pre-game tradition that’s not to be missed: an eagle from the Auburn University Raptor Center (AURC) circles Jordan-Hare Stadium before landing midfield to a booming chorus of “War Eagle, hey!”
Aug 12, 2025
Enduring Impact: Remembering Dr. Joe Edward Rowe
Veterinarian, educator, mentor, and devoted family man Dr. Joe Edward Rowe passed away on July 18 at age 66. A respected faculty member in Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Rowe leaves behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to his students, colleagues, and the veterinary profession.
Aug 11, 2025
Last fall, a talented group of faculty members were selected for the inaugural Auburn University Communication Fellows cohort to explore new and innovative ways to tell their research stories to the world. Fast-forward to present day, and that group of dedicated educators and researchers is thriving and leading by example.