CUHA Thank You Brochure 2017

Thank you for choosing Cornell. You have changed a life.

Our letter to the community, Over the past seven years, we’ve had four dogs who have all received excellent care by the students and teaching staff at Cornell’s Community Practice Service (CPS) at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. We are delighted that CPS is building a separate facility where students will have the opportunity for decision making and patient care in a setting similar to their future community

Lee Lee loves all humans! She would love to be an outside dog, chasing “critters” or just sitting in the yard observing her universe.

practices. This will greatly help students to ease the transition to practice, after graduation. You can read more about this on the last pages of this brochure.

The clinic staff at CPS are friendly and efficient. Supervisor Dr. Brian Collins, a Cornell graduate himself, uses a wise balance of supervision which allows students to be as independent as possible in any given situation. We look forward to bringing our pets to the new CPS facility for continued veterinary care.

Bill and Janet Hansen Lee Lee and Rondo, seen at right lounging

Rondo is an affectionate boy who loves to run and play.

He is a wonderful frisbee player and very athletic as he chases, leaps, and catches even the difficult throws.

Send us pictures of your animal(s) who have been patients of the Community Practice Service and share with us their favorite toy and activity. We’ll include them on our new website.

Send to vetfriends@cornell.edu with the subject line MY CAT/DOG GOES TO CORNELL.

@cornellvet

A new Community Practice Service will open just down the road from the Companion Animal Hospital. Students will continue to run this practice under the guidance of faculty clinicians.

The gift of a second chance Just a little seven-month old German shepherd puppy, Remington had already endured two hip surgeries and was suffering from damage to his sciatic nerve from an accident near his home in West Islip. Unfortunately, nothing more surgically could be done.

Knowing the reputation of Cornell’s new sports medicine and rehabilitation service, Remington’s mom, Ceanna made the drive to Ithaca. Remington stayed at Cornell for weeks, receiving daily treatments. Knowing the therapy he needed would be impossible to recreate at home, Remington’s parents chose to place him in the expert hands of Joe Wakshlag DVM ’98, PhD ’05, DACVN, DACVSMR and Chris Frye DVM ’11. “We couldn’t say enough about this team. They were with Remi after each of his 15 surgeries.” The Augusiewiczs valued the medical expertise they were receiving, but also the precious time the doctors took to explain so they could understand what was going on. “They were so very patient.” Remi continues to amaze the doctors with his recovery and keeps up with his brother like nothing ever happened.

“As Remi’s parents, we knew the success of rehabilitation required work on our part. And we know not everyone can afford the time or costs associated with rigorous therapy.” So, they said, “You saved his life — it’s time we pay you back.” The Augusiewiczs established The Remington Fund to help families who could benefit from outpatient or post-surgical therapy through our Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation service. “To us, this was an important investment for Remi and we hope for others as well.”

Rex likes to wait and see if anyone drops food Remi likes to stay by his brother’s side and copy his actions Rex & Remi’s favorite pasttime playing tug of war with a rope or rubber ball Rex & Remi’s personalities both very loving and can’t get enough hugs and kisses Remington and Rex turned two years old on April 3rd.

Bentley, my co-pilot Shared by pet parent Sue Hostler It was a cold December day when I returned home from a business trip, expecting the usual enthusiastic welcome from Bentley, my normally very affectionate Birman kitty. In spite of his status as a 13 year old senior citizen, I could always count on him to come running when I opened the door — even though he was very well cared for, and spoiled, by his kitty sitter. It was clear that something was wrong with my little guy — he was very listless and had little appetite. A visit to the local veterinarian couldn’t identify what was wrong with Bentley, so he was taken home for a good night’s sleep. The next day he was much worse.

We rushed him to a local emergency veterinary clinic as his body temperature dropped dramatically, and he became less and less responsive. A prompt evaluation by the staff there showed Bentley was having major issues with his heart; a phone consultation with the staff at Cornell and a request for an electrocardiogram to be sent to them confirmed my worst fears. Bentley was now in critical condition, and getting him to Cornell seemed to be the only hope of saving him.

We raced to Cornell. Bentley was now drifting in and out of consciousness — several times I thought we’d lost him. As we pulled up to the door, I ran inside with him wrapped in a blanket — and was immediately met by emergency staff who took him from me — warming him up and putting him on oxygen.

After a thorough evaluation, we were told his heart was not conducting electrical signals properly, and he’d likely not make it through the night without the implantation of a pacemaker.

So, late on a Sunday night, the wonderful caregivers at Cornell embarked on a risky surgery to try to save Bentley’s life. It was truly one of the longest nights of my life — but I knew he was in the best possible hands. Doctors Marc Kraus and Sophy Jesty ’94, DVM ’01 in cardiology, Ajay Sharma and Nathan Dykes DVM ’74 in radiology, surgeons Jay Harvey and Alane Cahalane ’97,

Bentley’s mom is a pilot, and his life saving surgery allowed him to once again fly as her co-pilot. as well as Maureen Luschini, worked late into the night in an effort to save him. In the middle of the night, my phone rang with the news that Bentley had made it through the surgery; it would be touch and go for the next few days, but it looked like my little guy would pull through. And, he did.

During his follow up visits with cardiologists Bruce Kornreich, DVM ’92, PhD ’05, Sydney Moise, and Heidi MacLean — Bentley amazed me with his obvious trust in them. In spite of a bit of poking and prodding, and being hooked up to various machines, he never complained. Pretty remarkable for a cat! The staff were always as kind to me as they were to Bentley.

Years later, when the day came that I had to say goodbye to my little guy, the heart that was ‘fixed’ at Cornell was still beating strong. I will be forever grateful for the six wonderful years Bentley and I had — that would not have been possible without the incredible care he received at Cornell.

Hoping to provide the best for cats everywhere, Sue financially supports the Cornell Feline Health Center. Learn more about the Center at www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc.

Zip, the model lap surgery dog A busy border collie named Zip is not the kind of dog who appreciates confinement, orders to avoid activity, or wearing an Elizabethan collar. When it was time to prevent Zip from taking over the world via procreation, Zip’s owner, Blake Rivas, a Cornell senior, knew a laparoscopic spay was the best option for Zip. After making two tiny incisions, Cornell boarded veterinary surgeon Dr. Galina Hayes inserted instruments and a camera, identical to those used in people for the likes of gallbladder removal, that guided Zip’s ovariectomy. Zip was released in a matter of hours, resumed her “normal” border collie activity in a matter of days, and resumed competition in agility a couple weeks later.

Good things come in small packages Dr. Hayes, a member of the small animal soft tissue surgery faculty at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, says, “Laparoscopic surgery is great because our patients recover very quickly and experience less pain.”

Angelo and Loretta Ruperto are both in the medical profession, so when they heard there might be more that could be done for their 9-month old Yorkie Gia, they knew they had to seek out more answers.

The Rivas family and Tom Scavelli DVM ’82, Diplomate ACVS, recently provided financial support for the first round of simulation models that Dr. Hayes will use to prepare surgery residents and veterinary students to perform both laparoscopic and minimally-invasive procedures including laparoscopic spay/neuter (ovariectomy and cryptorchidectomy), laparoscopic-assisted gastropexy (surgery to address GDV/bloat), laparoscopic gall bladder removal and open gastrotomy/enterotomy (for removal of ingested foreign objects) as well as cystotomy (for removal of bladder stones). The major benefit of simulation models is that they allow the learning curve of the student surgeon to be transferred from a live patient to a simulator. For laparoscopic procedures, they also allow students to practice navigating instruments guided by a camera though a model dog, complete with blood flow — a whole new skill set.

A three-hour drive to Cornell turned out to be the best decision they could have made for Gia. Dr. Sharon Center DACVIM and John Loftus, PhD, DVM ’12, DACVIM and the entire Internal Medicine team identified the source of Gia’s problems quickly and she continues to do well, five years later with a portosystemic shunt.

What most impresses the Rupertos, though, is the collaboration with other veterinarians and willingness to be readily available for any of their questions. “Having a sounding board in Cornell is priceless. We owe a lot to Dr. Loftus. He got us six years so far with Gia.”

Dr. Hayes says, “The training simulator is a tool that improves surgical techniques as well as video-eye-hand skills. We can use simulators to help train students to become surgeons and as a tool for trained surgeons to plan for and warm-up prior to complex procedures.”

Veterinary students will begin using three new training simulators this spring, including one named Zip, to prepare for soft tissue surgery. All of Cornell’s DVM students rotate through the soft tissue surgery service, so there is a strong need for additional training simulators. Contact Amy Robinson at 607.253.3742 to help Cornell’s veterinary students hone the skills needed for excellent general and laparoscopic surgical outcomes and rapid recoveries.

They see value in Cornell’s approach — great mentoring for very smart students, professionalism with clients, residents and students alike, coupled with empathy and compassion. Seeing the financial needs of some of the clients prompted the Rupertos to make donations to make available funds to assist clients in need. “We hate to see people consider euthanasia when we know there is a medical treatment.”

Gia Ruperto: 6 pounds of joy Favorite toy: a fuzzy fox without filling that is longer than she is Personality: quirky, loveable, curious and nosy

Reflections on their on-the-ground training in the Community Practice Service Dr. Lauren Witter ’16 As a student working in CPS, it’s daunting and scary at first but then it becomes so gratifying. For pets in CPS, we promote low stress handling and positive reinforcement for each animal.

The new Community Practice is scheduled to open in May of 2018. Will you help us get the equipment we need to take care of your pet? Consider a gift in honor of the student who helped your pet. If you don’t know their name, just ask us!

Not sure how you can help? Here’s some ideas.

Dr. Magen LaPorte ’16 Veterinarian, Lakewood Veterinary, Rushford, NY. The rapport formed between students and clients is enriching and the trust these clients place in us to care for their pets makes us feel like competent doctors well before graduation. Thank you!

Purchase a scale for a cat or small dog for an exam room with a gift of $200 Purchase a computer and monitor for an exam room with a gift of $1,500 A gift of $120 honors the 120 students who work in the Community Practice Service year-round for you.

A gift at the $480 level thanks the 480 students who are studying at Cornell to become veterinarians.

Dr. Lauren McEllen ’17 CPS helped me gain confidence in real-life situations.

While spending time on my rotation, I felt that I was truly making a difference in both the pet and owners’ lives. I know the experiences gained on CPS will support me throughout my career long after graduating vet school.

Dr. Rebecca Donnelly ’16 Clients who bring their pets through CPS are engaged in the learning process of their student clinician, and there is no other hospital where they’ll find extended appointments dedicated solely to them and their pets.

Rebecca is currently a diagnostic imaging resident at the University of California at Davis.

Checks can be made payable to Cornell University and mailed to: Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine Box 39 Ithaca, NY 14853-6401 Call 607.253.3745 or visit www.vet.cornell.edu/gifts/helpheal.cfm For more information on supporting the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, contact amy.robinson@cornell.edu or call us at 607.253.3745.

What’s that construction on the corner of the veterinary campus?

Cornell’s Community Practice is getting a new home! For years, the Community Practice Service (CPS) has served thousands of animals from Ithaca and surrounding areas, making sure vaccinations were up to date and helping students gain valuable experience.

You and your pets will benefit from new technologies for scheduling and vaccination reminders, shorter wait times for appointments and during appointments, a separate feline waiting area and fewer animals in the waiting room.

Box 39 Ithaca, NY 14853