Open House and Dedication Set for Nov. 6 to Launch New Wing of James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital

The public is invited to help Colorado State University celebrate the opening of the new $10 million, 35,000 square foot wing of the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 6. The event includes an open house from 1-3 p.m., with refreshments, and a dedication ceremony from 3:30-4 p.m.

The dedication ceremony will take place in the reception area of the new wing where a ribbon-cutting ceremony and brief remarks from General Norman H. Schwarzkopf, Colorado State University President Albert C. Yates, and Dr. Lance Perryman, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will highlight the event.

The new two-story addition will house the Robert H. and Mary G. Flint Animal Cancer Center, the Argus Institute and the Shipley Natural Healing Center, and includes space for teaching, 12 research laboratories, research support services, clinical services and administrative offices as well as special treatment rooms (see attached Fact Sheets).

"The new facility greatly enhances the ability of the Teaching Hospital to respond to the needs of pet owners in general, to cancer patients specifically, to the education of veterinary students and to make valuable contributions to the science of veterinary medicine," said Dean

Lance Perryman. "This is a very special group of people doing exceptional work in the only facility of its kind in the world."

The Animal Cancer Center is the only facility with the collection of expertise, knowledge, and the latest technology that addresses the needs of the veterinary cancer patient and is also deeply involved in veterinary cancer research. Many of the Center’s research findings are applied to human cancer research, and vice versa. The dozen new research laboratories will greatly enhance the level of cancer research being done at Colorado State University. For example:

  • A tissue archiving laboratory, where samples taken from spontaneous-occurring tumors can be stored and preserved for later use. This allows researchers access to a large bank of tissues for study and testing at the molecular level.
  • A bone laboratory, where samples of various cancer-infected and non-infected bone can be archived for research and study, exploring new surgical and non-surgical treatments.
  • A tumor physiology laboratory, where research will be conducted into the actual physiological makeup of different tumors-including at the genetic level-and looking at environmental factors that may affect their growth and/or death, such as temperature, oxygen level or pH.

Many special features of the new wing will enhance the work done by the Argus Institute and the Shipley Center in their role as teachers and hospital staff.

The Shipley Center offers clients special services in the areas of complementary and alternative medicine and provides students the opportunity for hands-on exposure to the many different approaches and explanation of the science behind the procedures.

Exam rooms with two-way observation windows are teaching tools for Argus Institute staff to provide students the clinical environment to learn specific communication skills for more effective doctor-client interactions.

For more information about the dedication ceremony and the open house, contact Debby Morehead, associate development director in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at (970) 491- 2351.

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THE SHIPLEY NATURAL HEALING CENTER

The mission of the Shipley Natural Healing Center is to teach students, scientists, physicians and veterinarians about the importance of enhancing health and wellness using proven complementary therapies, and to perform well designed, scientifically valid prospective, clinical, and basic research to develop, authenticate

and document natural healing methodologies.

Interest in complementary and alternative veterinary medicine (CAVM) among veterinary professionals and clients is on the rise. The need for solid, scientifically supported information is evident. To meet this need, the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CSU-CVMBS), the leader among veterinary medical schools in this field, is vigorously pursuing research to further investigate the claims made about CAVM and explore the mechanisms underlying their actions. In addition, CSU-CVMBS offers educational training programs in complementary and alternative medicine to veterinarians, as well as learning opportunities throughout the professional veterinary medical curriculum that address issues related to CAVM.

The Shipley Natural Healing Center in the James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides a physical location and an identity within which the various complementary medicine offerings can operate and be scientifically researched.

Research

Several CAVM-related research projects are currently underway at Colorado State. Studies exploring the pain-relieving benefits of acupuncture to animals that have undergone surgery are showing promising results. Another study is evaluating the beneficial effects of acupuncture on dogs suffering with "dry eye," or keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

A large project currently ongoing in the Department of Anatomy explores the neuroanatomic correlates of acupuncture points in dogs, and the efficacy of using virtual reality (such as interactive multimedia CD-ROMs) as a teaching tool in complementary medicine. This project is developing, for the first-time ever, a CD-ROM teaching tool in canine neuroanatomical acupuncture.

Other CAVM projects include studies of dietary and herbal therapies for cancer, dermatological and metabolic diseases are ongoing, along with research on natural antioxidants for animals with liver disease, cancer, critical illnesses and more.

Teaching

The junior year curriculum elective, entitled "Critical Assessment of Complementary and Alternative Medical (CAM) Modalities" provides both theoretical and hands-on exposure to many different approaches, including acupuncture, botanical medicine, massage, veterinary manual therapy based on chiropractic and osteopathic manipulative techniques, aromatherapy, flower essence therapy, mind-body medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, magnet therapy and homeopathy. Students learn about what the practice of each modality entails, the available scientific evidence either supporting or refuting its safety and efficacy, and also about the controversies surrounding each modality. Instructors encourage critical assessment of the CAM and CAVM literature on each topic, and expose students to the modalities via "hands-on," experiential laboratory sessions.

Lecturers present information on the need for evidence-based clinical practice of CAVM, to ensure that the highest level of skill and professionalism is maintained when introducing complementary modalities into a practice.

Colorado State University is committed to the exploration and development of CAVM research and teaching programs. With an increasing number of students and clients seeking more information about CAVM modalities, the need for educational programs is obvious.

ROBERT H. AND MARY G. FLINT ANIMAL CANCER CENTER

  • 34,700 square feet in two floors
  • 12 new, fully equipped exam rooms, with adjacent observation rooms for training and teaching.
  • New office and administrative space on the second floor
  • 12 new laboratories including:
    • Tissue archiving laboratory
    • Bone research laboratory
    • Bioengineering laboratory
    • Two cancer research laboratories
    • Immunopathology laboratory
    • Tumor Physiology laboratory
    • Nuclear Medicine laboratory
    • Pharmacology laboratory
    • Cancer Biology laboratory
    • Magnetic Resonance Imaging laboratory
  • GE Millenium VG" SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) cameras
  • Special multipurpose classroom and training room equipped with video presentation capabilities and moveable walls to tailor space for each event.
  • Dark room for image analysis
  • Separate entrances for the Argus Institute and the Flint Animal Cancer Center
  • Special Pet Tribute Garden: landscaped garden area with a brick walkway located in the front of the new wing.

Argus Institute

For Families and Veterinary Medicine

The Argus Institute is an interdisciplinary team of mental health experts and veterinarians dedicated to supporting families and veterinary medicine professionals in emotional times.

The Argus staff shares an understanding and respect for the human-animal bond. This is based on almost 20 years of clinical experience in helping pet owners deal with their emotions when their relationship with their pets are threatened by injury, illness, lifestyle changes or animal behavior problems.

Since 1984, the Argus Institute has offered the world’s most comprehensive, on-site family support service and a professional education curriculum associated with a veterinary teaching hospital. The skilled staff has helped countless pet owners and provided leading edge training for thousands of veterinarians.

The interdisciplinary approach to veterinary medical care, called Bond-Centered Practice, was pioneered at the Argus Institute. Some other recognized achievements include:

  • Co-founded Changes: The Support for People and Pets Program with the Animal Cancer Center; one of the first, full-time, on-site grief support programs for pet owners at a university teaching hospital and the first to offer counseling to pet owners dealing with their pets’ cancer.
  • Developed many of the "standards of care" techniques for family-present euthanasia now used nationwide.
  • Created the Family Comfort Room concept and other Bond-Centered Practice tools now used nationwide.
  • Authored the ground-breaking textbook on companion animal death:

The Human Animal Bond and Grief

The work of the Argus Institute has frequently been cited in the national media, including ABC’s "Good Morning America," Parade magazine, Petlife, USA Weekend, Dog Fancy and The Horse magazine.

For more information about the Argus Institute, visit the website at: www.argusinstitute.colostate.edu; or call (970) 491-4143.