The Ontario Veterinary College was in the spotlight at the 23rd American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum in Baltimore, Md.

Two OVC graduate students received resident research awards and an OVC alumnus was honoured for his volunteer contributions to the ACVIM through his volunteer activities.

Dr. Luis Arroyo, a post-graduate researcher in the Department of Clinical Studies, received the Best Equine Medicine Abstract award for his abstract titled, "Preliminary Evaluation of the Role of Clostridium Difficile in Duodenitis Proximal Jejunitis in Horses." His co-authors were Drs. Henry Staempfli and J. Scott Weese.

The Best Neurology Research Abstract was awarded to Dr. Ronaldo da Costa , a PhD candidate in the Department of Biomedical Sciences, for his work titled, "Morphometric and Anatomo-Pathologic Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Doberman Pinscher Dogs with and without Clinical Signs of Cervical Spondylomyelopathy - 32 dogs."   His co-authors were Drs. Joane Parent, Gary Partlow, David Holmberg, Howard Dobson and Jonathan LaMarre.

The 2005 ACVIM Distinguished Service Award was given to Dr. Russ Willoughby (OVC '57), former chair of the Department of Clinical Studies and Associate Dean of Research at OVC. He was also the founding director of the Equine Research Centre. This award is given annually to recognize Diplomates of the ACVIM who have made substantial and meritorious contributions to the College through voluntary service activities.

Established in 1973, the ACVIM is a U.S.-based certifying organization for veterinary specialists. It currently has 1,537 members, called ACVIM Diplomates, who have received an additional three to six years of training and are board-certified in one or more of the following areas: large animal internal medicine, small animal internal medicine, cardiology, neurology and oncology.

Dr. Elizabeth Stone, Dean OVC

After months of planning and sorting through the myriad details involved in moving to a new country to start a new job, Dr. Elizabeth Stone has arrived.

Stone’s five-year term as Dean officially began June 1 after she was “handed the keys” to the corner office by Dr. Carlton Gyles, interim dean.

“There’s been so much to do,” Stone says. “It’s been a very busy few months but I’m very eager to get started.”

Stone, whose appointment was announced in January, is the first woman to head a veterinary school in Canada. She comes to Guelph from North Carolina State University, where she was a professor and head of the Department of Clinical Sciences.

“The top priority is meeting people, listening to what’s important to them.”

Stone will have plenty of opportunities to do just that: first, at the Senior University Administrators Course in Banff, Alta., June 9-17, followed a week later by Alumni Weekend, June 24-26.

Alumni are invited to meet Stone at the AGM of the OVC AA on June 25.

She says it will be important to keep the momentum going on OVC’s development plans and to start evaluating potential partnerships and collaborations with the university community, governments and industry.

Stone will also be attending the leadership summit at the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association convention in Victoria in July.

“There’s no question it will be a busy summer,” she says.

The University of Guelph and OVC honoured one of Canada's most accomplished athletes at convocation ceremonies on June 16.

Ian Millar, Canada’s greatest equestrian, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from OVC in recognition of his significant contributions to society, the equine community and Canada’s international prominence in equine sports.

Ian Millar

A delighted Millar rearranged his schedule so he can come to Guelph.  “I am truly honoured to be awarded an honorary doctorate,” Millar says. “I also very much look forward to meeting and addressing the DVM graduating class.”

Dr. Carlton Gyles, Interim Dean, says the nomination reflects Millar’s and the college’s long-standing involvement with the equine industry. Equine Guelph, a centre for equine-related research, performance and education at the U of G, is partnered with industry groups such as the Ontario Equestrian Federation (OEF), whose president, Allan Ehrlick, supported the nomination.

“Ian has been a generous ambassador for the horse industry by using his status and reputation to draw attention to important issues and groups,” Ehrlick wrote in his letter of support.

Among Millar’s many achievements, Gyles highlights his 20-year association with the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA).

Millar has brought international recognition to Canada as a member of every Olympic equestrian team and World Show Jumping Championship team since 1972, and as the mentor and trainer of a new generation of riders and horses. In 2004, he won his ninth Canadian championship and competed at his eighth Olympic Games — a Canadian record.

Millar is best known for his accomplishments riding Big Ben. The pair (captured in classic form above by photographer Cealy Tetley) won back-to-back world titles, two gold medals at the Pan-Am Games and many Grand Prix titles. Big Ben officially retired in 1994. They were inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

After Big Ben died of colic in 1999, Millar partnered with the Equine Research Centre (the forerunner to Equine Guelph) to establish the Big Ben Memorial Fund to advance research and education on colic prevention, nutrition and management.

“Mr. Millar speaks eloquently and publicly about the value of equine sport and the importance of animals in our lives,” says Gyles. “His passion for equine health makes him a perfect fit with the University of Guelph and its veterinary roots. The granting of this degree brings honour to Ian Millar and to the university.”

The University of Guelph has granted the distinction University Professor Emeritus to a man known as a champion of research and an advocate for students at the Ontario Veterinary College.

Dr. Wayne McDonell, who retired in 2004 after 38 years on the faculty of OVC, was honoured at convocation ceremonies on June 16.

Over the years, McDonell has made invaluable contributions in many areas of veterinary medicine: as a researcher and clinician; in administration, where he helped expand graduate programs and research opportunities at OVC; as a fundraiser, working to establish the Pet Trust Fund in 1986; and in fostering veterinary medicine abroad, most recently through his involvement in the fledgling Veterinarians Without Borders organization.

On the international stage and at OVC, McDonell is known as someone who thinks big and has the leadership skills to make things happen.

In his role as assistant dean of research and graduate affairs, McDonell spearheaded many unique initiatives, including the Summer Leadership Program, in which students explore non-traditional careers in veterinary medicine. He also established the OVC Fellowships, competitive scholarships for graduate students that offer up to $30,000 to top graduate students each year.

McDonell’s efforts to attract top graduate students have had a major impact on the College, says Dr. Carlton Gyles.

“Dr. McDonell has been a strong advocate for graduate students. He knows that attracting motivated DVM graduates to return to OVC is essential to strengthening the College’s research programs,” Gyles says.