CVM News

Feb 16, 2026

The hawk who wanted to be a Tiger

The Auburn University Raptor Center helped the Auburn football program deal with an unexpected walk-on — or fly-in — recruit who bypassed college football’s transfer portal and traditional recruiting processes. In early February, a Cooper’s hawk found its way inside the football team’s indoor practice facility but couldn’t find its way out.

Feb 16, 2026

Minding the gap between hiring manager and Gen Z expectations

When it comes to recruiting newly minted DVMs for private practice openings, specificity matters. Potential hires are unlikely to be persuaded by ambiguous claims about “work-life balance” or “team culture.” But, according to an informal survey conducted by Assistant Clinical Professor Ryan Gibson, they will respond positive to more concrete details about structured mentorship, onboarding, workplace culture, and professional development opportunities.

Feb 12, 2026

Tiny puppy, big heart: Blondie’s second chance receives boost from Auburn University donors

Blondie, a 2-month-old Shetland Sheepdog puppy, recently came to Auburn University’s Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital with a common but serious congenital heart defect — patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). If left untreated, the condition can significantly shorten a dog’s lifespan. Thanks to the work of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Cardiology Service team and the generosity of Auburn University Tiger Giving Day donors, Blondie should live a long, healthy and happy life.

Feb 10, 2026

A pocket-sized tool with life-saving potential for horses

When a horse becomes suddenly and severely ill, time seems to tighten around each potential decision. A fever. Rapid breathing. An elevated heart rate. Gums taking on a dark red coloration from increased blood flow. For veterinarians and horse owners, these early warning signs point to sepsis, a potentially life-threatening condition that can result from pneumonia, post-partum complications, abscesses, gastrointestinal issues and other health problems.

Feb 6, 2026

Auburn University Raptor Center hosts Talons, Taps, & Trivia on Feb. 17

Fans of birds, brews and bites are invited to the Auburn University Raptor Center’s Talons, Taps, & Trivia event on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Auburn-Opelika Tourism, the event will be hosted by New Realm Brewery inside Hey Day Market. The interactive event will include trivia and opportunities to meet the raptor center’s winged ambassadors. Raptor Specialist Katie Pnewski will quiz attendees on birds of prey, the War Eagle tradition and all things Auburn.

Feb 4, 2026

Office space: Ray Wilhite

Ray Wilhite’s office at Auburn University is a cabinet of curiosities — a place where ancient bones, thank-you notes and a signature Australian cowboy hat all tell the story of a scientist, teacher and mentor whose passion for anatomy and paleontology is matched only by his devotion to students. For 18 years, Wilhite has served as both anatomy laboratory coordinator for the College of Veterinary Medicine and curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Auburn University Museum of Natural History.

Jan 30, 2026

Molecular messengers: Decoding a circulatory threat

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) doesn’t typically announce itself in the form of a stroke or heart attack. The signals are far more subtle – feeling the need to rest while climbing a flight of stairs, experiencing a tightening in the calf muscles while taking a walk or a creeping sensation that normal movement is beginning to slip away.

Jan 26, 2026

Spotlighting the CVM’s unique exotics experiences

Students in Auburn University’s DVM program have ample opportunity for experiential learning with specific subsets of exotic animals. The Journal of American Veterinary Medicine recently highlighted the College of Vet Med’s Aquatic Digital Badge program and clinical course experiences offered by the Auburn University Raptor Center.

Jan 21, 2026

Internship program helps address shortage of veterinary technicians

An internship program gives veterinary technician students hands-on experience in nearly every aspect of patient care, training alongside Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students and rotating through specialties at the Wilford and Kate Bailey Small Animal Teaching Hospital and the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital. 

Jan 12, 2026

Department of Clinical Sciences earns Excellence in Education Award

Presented annually, the award recognizes an academic department that demonstrates sustained excellence in teaching and learning through innovation, impact, and measurable outcomes. Departments are selected through a rigorous two-phase review process that includes an initial evaluation using a standardized scoring rubric, followed by formal presentations from finalist departments.