Driving innovation in pet nutrition and excellence in veterinary education is central to recent funding granted to three U.S. veterinary schools. In honor of the International Day of Veterinary Medicine, Purina has announced its donation of $4.5M to Cornell University, University of California, Davis, and Colorado State University to help support the next generation of veterinarians in the next five years and beyond. The funding aims to support research on pet health, including healthy aging and mobility in dogs, GI issues in cats and dogs, and scientific advancements by students and faculty. “Veterinarians play such a pivotal role in caring for our pets,” says Kurt R. Venator, DVM, PhD, Purina’s chief veterinary officer. “These efforts aim to uncover new insights that will impact future innovations and change the lives of pets and the people who love them–and the veterinarians who care for them.” The three beneficiaries and programs are: Cornell University's School of Veterinary Medicine, which received a $1.5 million donation to create the Purina Cornell Canine Healthy Aging and Mobility Program (CHAMP). Over the next five years, CHAMP will focus on advancing science and innovation in the areas of nutrition, healthy aging, rehabilitation and mobility in dogs. The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, which received $1.5 million to create the Purina Distinguished Program in Gastrointestinal Health and Wellness. This new five-year program aims to further knowledge in this field and advance canine and feline gastrointestinal health solutions. Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicineand Biomedical Sciences, which received a $1.5 million to support the next generation of veterinary scientists and faculty members through the the Purina Young Investigators Award Program in the Center for Companion Animal Studies. This endowment will fund up to 12 annual grants in perpetuity to students and their faculty mentors to investigate and share scientific advancements. For more information, visit the Purina website.
