The halls are decked, the tree trimmed, everyone's busy being jolly and the kids are wondering what the heck are sugar plums anyway. Then along comes Rover, scarfing down the contents of an open box of chocolates (leaving behind only the orange-nougat-marzipan-filled kind that nobody likes) before chasing the fluffy new kitten up the tree and getting tangled in the lights.

The season of giving is full of fun and excitement for everyone but the holidays are also a perilous time for the family pet. The OVC reminds animal owners that prevention is the best medicine at this time of year.

Read more in the U of G news release.

The Victoria Times reports that James Arnold Henderson 1912-2008, OVC 1936, has died.

James Arnold Henderson was born in Shoal Lake, Manitoba in 1912 and grew up on the family farm near Cardale Manitoba. He earned a D.V.M. from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1936 and an M.Sc. at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1938.

Dr. Henderson's professional career at the University of Illinois was interrupted by four years of service in the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1942 he was seconded to Cambridge University and the Milk Marketing Board as the general advisor on the establishment and operation Great Britain's first bovine artificial insemination program.

It was at the Milk Marketing Board that Jim met his future wife, Valerie Gertrude Underhill. In 1946 Dr. Henderson assumed the position of professor in the Clinical Department of the Ontario Veterinary College.

In 1950, he became Head of the Clinical Department. He was twice elected as the Canadian representative to the Executive Board of the American Veterinary Medical Association and served as the President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association in 1958-1959. In collaboration with Dr. Douglas C. Blood he published the classic text book, Veterinary Medicine, still used in veterinary colleges around the world. In 1963, Dr. Henderson became Dean of the College Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.

He retired from professional life in 1973. Dr. Henderson led an active and productive life for the last thirty-five years on Vancouver Island. He returned to the life of his childhood, living in various rural locations near Victoria, keeping some cattle, raising Norwegian Fiord horses and generally enjoying an outdoor life. He is survived by his wife, Valerie, two sons, three grandchildren and a great granddaughter. A private Open House celebration of Jim's life with family and friends will be held on Jan. 10, 2009.

The Calton L. Gyles OVC Support Staff Excellence Award is presented annually to a staff member who exemplifies the qualities of University professor emeritus Carlton Gyles, including: being an exemplary role model; being thoughtful and compassionate, and being willing to accept responsibility that goes beyond their job function.

The award is available to support staff members in any part of the Ontario Veterinary College. Please submit your recommendation for this award to the OVC Award Committee c/o Dr. Peter Conlon by January 31, 2009.

Eligibility: All support staff members in any part of the Ontario Veterinary College are eligible. This includes administrative assistants, technical, secretarial or animal care support staff involved in support of the teaching, research, animal care or other activities in the College. A typical awardee might be a research technician or someone involved in support of teaching laboratories or of work in the clinics.

Selection method: Nominations can be made by any faculty or staff member, or student in the College, including groups. The one to two page nomination should include the nominee's name and contact information and the reason the nomination is being made. Up to three supporting letters from people aware of the nominee's qualities and contributions should be included.

Selection Committee: OVC Awards Committee with the advise of the previous three recipients of the award.

The award will be presented March 26, 2009.

Alex Valverde, Clinical Studies, is among 10 U of G researchers to share in $1.4 million in grants from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI).

Dr. Valverde received $72,356 to study novel approaches to anesthesia awareness and efficacy in animals.

See the U of G news release.

The front doors to the OVC will be removed and repaired off site. The closure of the front entrance will begin today (December 11th) and will extend until next Friday (December 19th). Signage will be posted directing people to alternate entrances. We apologize for the short notice and inconvenience.

Ontario Veterinary College student Ryan Aguanno will be a guest on CBC radio's Metro Morning show Thursday at about 5:45 a.m.

He will talk about Global Vets, an OVC program that gives students the opportunity to study veterinary medicine in developing countries.

Metro Morning is CBC's popular morning show for the greater Toronto region, including Guelph where it can be heard on 89.1 FM.