Purina Announces Donations to Five Schools to Foster Advancements in Veterinary Care

Veterinarians play a critical role in the lives of pets and pet owners, serving as trusted partners for their pets’ well-being. In honor of International Day of Veterinary Medicine, Purina has announced its donations to five top veterinary schools in the U.S. to support veterinary education and advancements in pet health.

The collaborations will support research and scientific developments in pivotal areas of pet health including nutrition, dermatology, cognition, and canine performance, ultimately aimed at furthering scientific understanding of feline and canine health and well-being.

“For decades, we have worked closely with veterinary schools to advance pet health and support the professional development of the veterinary community,” said Purina chief veterinary officer Dr. Kurt R. Venator. “These five new programs promise to offer nutritional and scientific advances and enrich the education and training of future leaders in veterinary medicine for generations to come.”

The five beneficiaries and programs include:

• The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) will create the Purina Canine Cognition and Performance Program to propel the esteemed Penn Vet Working Dog Center to new heights through groundbreaking science in the areas of canine cognition and performance. From life-saving search and rescue dogs to family companions, this program will ultimately help advance the health and safety of people, pets and our environment.
• Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine will create the Purina Professorship in Veterinary Nutrition. Nutrition is one of the most common topics discussed in the exam room, be it for a new kitten or an older osteoarthritic dog. This new program will advance key education and training across all facets of canine and feline nutrition so that the current and future generations of veterinary professionals can offer the highest level of comprehensive, integrative care.
• University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine will create the Purina Endowed Professor of Dermatology. Dermatologic conditions, often manifested as skin and/or gastrointestinal signs, are one of the most common reasons for veterinary visits. This new program will support diagnostic and interventional training and research to drive innovation in the areas of veterinary dermatology and integrative nutrition, to promote feline and canine health and wellness.
• Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will create the state-of-the-art Purina Nutrition Suite within the new Veterinary Health and Education Complex. This integrative four-room nutrition suite will offer best-in-class education and training in nutrition to improve patient outcomes and enhance the quality of care. This new collaboration integrates with the recently established Purina Young Investigator Award Program that provides funds in perpetuity to students and their faculty mentors to investigate and share scientific advancements.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine will create the Purina Cornell Veterinary Nutrition Program. Nutrition is a cornerstone of pet health and vitality. This innovative program will augment Cornell’s leadership in science, training, and education, and advance nutritional management strategies for both healthy cats and dogs as well as those with complex health conditions. Together with the existing Purina Cornell CHAMP (Canine Healthy Aging and Mobility Program), this collaboration creates a multi-disciplinary, integrative medicine center of excellence – one that will drive innovation and advance pet health and veterinary medicine.

“Collectively, these programs speak to our core values at Purina – to push forward together, every day, to help pets live longer, healthier lives and help the veterinary profession thrive through innovation and groundbreaking science,” said Dr. Venator.

Purina manufactures popular pet care products from brands that include Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies and Tidy Cats. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.