Top Dog Kitchen gets ‘vet recommended’ approval rating

Top Dog Kitchen has received a “vet recommended” approval rating from Dr. Tonya Loreman, DVM, and Dr. Shelley Gothard, DVM, from Sabal Palm Animal Hospital in Naples, Florida, USA.
“It can be a challenge to find appropriate treats for pets with certain medical conditions, and the treats made by Top Dog Kitchen offer great choices for those pets,” Loreman said. “Since Top Dog Kitchen promises simple recipes using USDA meats, we’re pleased to recommend them for healthy pets as well as for those pets that may need a restricted diet.
 “Pet treats are not always a necessity but they can contribute to the daily quality of life experienced by both pet and owner. There is value in the simple enjoyment of the treat and treats are usually an essential tool of pet training. We always recommend choosing treats carefully so that the treat does not create a new problem such as an upset digestive system. We’ve now made it official and are placing our ‘stamp of approval’ on Top Dog Kitchen’s line of treats that our patients have loved since 2011.”

Morris Animal Foundation undertakes Golden Retriever Lifetime Study

Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is the largest and longest effort ever undertaken to improve the health of dogs, according to the group. Over the next 10 to 14 years, observational data collected from 3,000 Golden Retrievers will help the foundation learn how to prevent cancer and other diseases that take the lives of dogs.
More than 70 million dogs live in the US, and half of them over the age of 10 will die of cancer, says Morris. In addition, cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs over the age of two. "We must stop this disease," says the foundation, which is encouraging Golden Retriever owners to enroll their pets in the study.
The study is part of the foundation's Canine Lifetime Health Project, a US-wide effort to make the world a better place for dogs. Through this initiative, Morris manages studies that will help identify new tests, diets and therapies for preventing, diagnosing and treating health problems in dogs. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is the first, and is the largest and longest study ever conducted in veterinary medicine, according to Morris.
Morris Animal Foundation is a nonprofit organization that invests in science that advances veterinary medicine for companion animals, horses and wildlife. The foundation is a global leader in animal health science, and its funding helps more species in more places than that of any other organization in the world, says Morris. 

New Jersey dog summer camp tackles pet obesity

New Jersey-based Morris Animal Inn will offer the Canine Cardio Fitness Camp to help dogs get fit, lose weight and maintain a healthier lifestyle, according to organizers. The camp will be held June 16–20, 2014.

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The day or overnight program is designed to keep dogs active, stimulated and stress-free with treadmill trots, aerobic swim sessions in the indoor pool, outdoor water games, nature trail hikes, “Doga” and “Pawlates,” pampering massages, nutritious and refreshing homemade treats, and more, said camp organizers. “Canine Cardio Summer Camp is great for dogs who want to get or stay fit while having fun with their canine friends or personal fitness trainers,” said Joanne Morris, vice president of Morris Animal Inn. “Keeping dogs active and mentally stimulated is so important for their good health, and summer is a great time to start a new exercise regimen because everyone is spending more time outdoors.”
Program offerings will be individually tailored to meet the particular needs of each dog, with some sessions overseen by a personal trainer and others offered in a group setting. Registration is flexible so that dogs can attend for a single day or be immersed in the week-long program. Reservations are US$59 per day or US$249 for the week.

Purina dog owner survey reveals pet weight perceptions vs. reality

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53% of dogs are overweight or obese. Unfortunately, only 22% of dog owners believe that their dog is overweight. In an attempt to offer solutions to this problem, Purina Dog Chow Light & Healthy conducted a nationwide survey focusing on dog owner perceptions of their pet's weight, management, exercise and feeding habits.

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Even when owners acknowledge that their dog may be overweight, Purina survey findings suggest that many may struggle with how to tackle the problem. Of dog owners surveyed who believe their dog is overweight, almost one-fourth (24%) said they don't know how they should manage their dog's weight, and 22% have taken no action to do so. Of those surveyed who have taken action, more than one-third (36%) reported feeding smaller portions of the same dog food. However, this may leave the dog feeling less than satisfied and the owner feeling guilty, according to Purina.
"Providing a healthy, low-calorie diet should be the first step owners take to help their pet slim down," said Christina Schneider, brand manager for Purina Dog Chow. In conjunction with feeding a low-calorie dog food, regular exercise can benefit both the dog and owner. Of dog owners surveyed who report having a healthy weight dog, 61% reported exercising regularly themselves and 77% said they give their dog exercise more than three times per week. Having a canine companion also can be one of the best motivators for staying active, according to the survey. In fact, 79% of survey participants said they would rather exercise with their dog than with a personal trainer, and 68% would choose exercising with their dog over a friend.

Canine osteosarcoma study presented at American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine forum

Advaxis Inc., a biotechnology company developing cancer immunotherapies, has announced that principal investigator Nicola Mason, BVet.Med, PhD, DACVIM, of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, will present updated data from the ongoing ADXS-cHER2 study in canine osteosarcoma at the 2014 American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Forum on June 5, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee. ADXS-cHER2 is an immunotherapy that targets the HER2 oncogene, which is overexpressed in certain solid-tumor cancers, including pediatric bone cancer and breast cancer.

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In her presentation, "Clinical Evaluation of a HER2/neu-Targeting Vaccine to Prevent Metastatic Osteosarcoma," Mason will provide updated data from the ongoing study in pet dogs with osteosarcoma. "We are excited that Dr. Mason will be presenting these encouraging data from our canine trial at the ACVIM Forum, which focuses on the latest developments in animal health," said Daniel J. O'Connor, CEO of Advaxis. "Without question, her research has not only been groundbreaking in the treatment of canine osteosarcoma, but the results have also affirmed the potential of ADXS-cHER2 as a treatment for a host of human cancers, including bone cancer and breast cancer, where the HER2 oncogene is overexpressed. In particular, these data, along with the strong parallel between canine and pediatric bone cancer, were instrumental in our recent decision to pursue a clinical development program with ADXS-cHER2 in pediatric osteosarcoma."

Purina Pro Plan launches nutritional supplement bars for dogs

Footballer Eli Manning helped introduce Purina Pro Plan's new nutritional supplement bars for active dogs at the "Purina pro MANning vs. DOG Challenge" in New York City on January 29. The bars, PRiME and ReFUEL, were introduced as part of Purina's SPORT product line.

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"I've been an athlete all my life and have maintained strict training regimens that include high-quality nutrition products that allow me to perform at my best," said Manning. "I'm also a lifelong dog owner and have seen first-hand what amazing athletes dogs are. Purina Pro Plan PRiME and ReFUEL nutritional supplement bars help active dogs not only perform at their best, but help them recover quickly so they can get back outside again tomorrow and enjoy the activities they love to do with their owners." 
The PRiME bar is a nutrient-dense protein-rich bar that can benefit dogs during exercise, according tp Purina. In order for the PRiME bar to work optimally, it should be fed half an hour before exercise, which gives the dog a chance to digest the bar and have key nutrients present in his blood stream when starting an activity. 
Fed within 30 minutes post-exercise, the ReFUEL bar helps replenish muscle energy stores and promotes muscle rebuilding after activity, according to the company. Dogs experience muscle breakdown, fatigue and depletion of energy stores, just like humans do. ReFUEL is formulated with rapidly digested ingredients that help reinvigorate tired muscles. 
In addition to performance nutrition, Purina Pro Plan has given dog owners access to expert training in the palm of their hand with Purina Pro Plan P5, a free mobile app. The P5 app offers dog owners of all breeds and sizes specialized mobile lessons in agility, dock diving, flying disc, obedience, running and strength training. It is available for free for iPhone, Android and Google Play devices.

Wholistic Pet Organics adds Green Lipped Mussel to select dog supplements

Wholistic Pet Organics announced the addition of Green Lipped Mussel (GLM) to select formulas of its all-natural supplements for canines. This ingredient will now be included in its Run Free and Canine Complete +Joint Mobility products.
Green Lipped Mussel is sourced from the waters of New Zealand as a sustainable Omega-3 resource. It is a mussel species that contains a unique blend of nutrients to promote joint health and mobility, the company says. It is rich in glucosamine, glycosaminoglycans and hyaluronic acid, all of which contribute to the viscosity of synovial fluid and enhance joint lubrication.
Wholistic Pet Organics says its Green Lipped Mussels are cold-opened and freeze-dried at low temperatures, and each batch of products is made from whole, unprocessed foods. The products' packaging contains the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) seal.

New pet nutrition research shows overweight dogs have shorter lives

Being overweight shortens a dog's life expectancy, according to new research by Mars Petcare and Banfield Pet Hospital's Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition. The new research shows the consequences for dogs being overweight and highlights the importance of pet owners maintaining their dog at a healthy weight. 
Data on a range of popular dog breeds from across the US showed that dogs that are overweight in middle age have a shorter life expectancy than ideal-weight dogs. Specifically, overweight dogs were found to suffer a reduction in life expectancy of up to 10 months compared to ideal-weight dogs. 
"We examined a broad range of popular breeds of all shapes and sizes and found that overweight dogs tend to have a shorter life expectancy. This was particularly pronounced in five breeds - Labrador, Shih Tzu, American Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever and Beagle," said lead scientist at the Waltham Centre, Carina Salt. "In order to ensure the findings were representative of dogs in the family home, we used data from a large number of pet dogs collected during visits to their veterinarian. The research highlights the very real consequences of being overweight for dogs in the family home. Key tips for combating excess weight and keeping your dog fit and healthy include carefully controlling food portions in line with the pack feeding guidelines, regular exercise appropriate for your dog's needs and regular weighing sessions. Owners concerned about their dog's weight should speak to a veterinarian."
Data were collected on normal and overweight dogs from 10 popular breeds, ranging in age from 6.5 to 8.5 year. The data were collected by veterinarians during consultations across the network of more than 830 Banfield Pet Hospital locations in the US.

Zuke's donates more than US$175,000 to fight canine cancer to date

Zuke's announced that as of September 27, the pet treat maker has donated more than US$175,000 to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund (DCCFund), a nonprofit organization dedicated to understanding, treating and preventing canine and feline cancer.
The DCCFund was created by Zuke's founder, Patrick Meiering, and his brother, Chris, in 2007 after their childhood dog and, more recently, Zuke, the company's namesake, died of canine cancer. 
Since the inception of the DCCFund, Zuke's has contributed a portion of all sales to the organization. With Zuke's support, the DCCFund has increased the annual grant amount per pet from US$700 in 2007, to  US$1200 in 2011, and most recently to US$1500 in 2013. The DCCFund estimates it will be able to help a record 100 pets in 2013, up from 42 in 2011 and 69 in 2012.
"Zuke's donates a portion of all product sales to the Dog and Cat Cancer Fund," said Chris Meiering, Zuke's director of marketing and co-founder of the DCCFund. "We invest in this organization because we passionately believe that the ability to pay one's vet bills shouldn't be a factor in giving pets a fighting chance against this terrible disease."

RECALL: Joey's Jerky chicken jerky treats being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination

Joey's Jerky treats are being recalled for possible Salmonella contamination.

The New Hampshire, USA, Department of Health and Human Services announced a voluntary recall of Joey's Jerky chicken jerky treats due to possible Salmonella  contamination. Joey's Jerky is produced in New Hampshire by Kritter's Kitchen Kreations LLC.
The pet treat recall was initiated as a result of 21 people in New Hampshire's Merrimack and Hillsborough counties having been identified with the same strain of the illness, but no deaths have been reported. Confirmation through laboratory testing of the jerky is pending at the New Hampshire Public Health Labs.
Joey's Jerky was sold at the following six stores in New Hampshire:
America's Pet in Hudson
Blue Seal in Bow
K9 Kaos in Dover
Osborne's Agway in Concord
Sandy's Pet Food Center in Concord
The Yellow Dogs Barn in Barrington
Consumers who have purchased these treats should discard them. For more information on Salmonella, contact the Department of Health and Human Services' Bureau of Infections Disease Control at +1.603.271.4496. 

Party Animal Pet Food introduces grain-free coconut oil dog food

Party Animal Pet Food is launching a new dog food line made with organic coconut oil.

Party Animal Pet Food, a petfood company that produces all-natural, organic foods for dogs and cats, introduced Cocolicious at SuperZoo 2013. This new line of grain-free petfood is made with organic coconut oil along with organic and natural ingredient, available at retailers throughout the US starting in August 2013. 
Coconut oil offers health benefits to animals such as assisting in maintaining a stronger immune system and helping to promote oral health, healthy skin and a shiny coat.
"Coconut oil has gained mainstream awareness for its health benefits in humans, and it's now time for animals to benefit from this amazing, nutritious ingredient," said Daryl Abrams, founder/CEO of Party Animal. "We are thrilled to be launching a petfood line with organic coconut oil for our furry friends to love as much as we do."
The Cocolicious line will initially launch with dog food products in six flavors: Organic Chicken & Beef, Organic Turkey & Chicken, Organic Beef & Turkey, Wild Caught Salmon & Pork, Tender Pork & Lamb, and Lamb & Wild Caught Salmon. 

Homemade dog food may not meet dogs’ nutrient needs, study finds

Most homemade dog food recipes do not meet all of a pet's nutritional requirements, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. Researchers caution that, unlike commercial petfood, homemade petfood is not usually nutritionally complete.
The study, published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, analyzed 200 homemade dog food recipes, but found that just nine contained enough of the nutrients required by dogs. 
"Some of the deficiencies, particularly those related to choline, vitamin D, zinc and vitamin E, could result in significant health problems such as immune dysfunction, accumulation of fat in the liver and musculoskeletal abnormalities," said Jennifer Larsen, an assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis and lead author on the study.
Additionally, researchers found that 92 percent of the recipes contained instructions that were too vague and required pet owners to make assumptions about ingredients, or they failed to include calorie information or account for the size of the dog being fed. 
"It is extremely difficult for the average pet owner - or even veterinarians - to come up with balanced recipes to create appropriate meals that are safe for long-term use," Larsen said. "Homemade food is a great option for many pets, but we recommend that owners avoid general recipes from books and the Internet and instead consult with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist. These specialists have advanced training in nutrition to help formulate customized and nutritionally appropriate recipes."

Dr. Tim’s petfood brand founder vaccinates rural animals in trip to Alaska, USA

Dr. Tim Hunt, founder of Dr. Tim's Pet Food brand, traveled through rural Alaska, USA, villages to conduct spay/neuter and vaccination clinics for rural pet owners.
Funded by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture and working along with two other people, one from the Alaska Native Rural Veterinary Corporation and another from Yukon Kuskokwim Delta Health Corporation, Hunt's group traveled by motor boat through several Yup'ik villages along the Kuskokwim river in western Alaska.
The group walked the villages and was often pointed to homes that own dogs by the children in the villages. The anesthetic protocol for the animals during the procedures included the use of a mobile gas anesthetic machine, which was donated by Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine.


Hunt and his team performed 40 spay and neuters and vaccinated nearly 200 dogs.

In total, Hunt and his team performed a total of 40 spays and neuters, as well as vaccinated nearly 200 dogs.
He says he hopes to increase the frequency of these rural spay/neuter and vaccination clinics. If you are interested, contact him at drtim@drtims.com or contact Angie Fitch, director of the Alaska Native Rural Veterinary Corporation, at angief@alaska.net. 

Dogs' digestive system health may improve with pine tree carbs, study finds

Dogs' digestive system health may be improved by consuming carbohydrates from pine trees, according to new collaborative studies by US Department of Agriculture, university and corporate scientists.
The carbohydrates, known as GGMOs (galactoglucomannan oligosaccharides), are a by-product of treating wood chips that remain after trees are cut into lumber. The chips are treated with heat, high pressure and water to separate them into cellulosic fiber and hemicellulosic carbs, such as the GGMOs. 
USDA Agricultural Research Service chemist Neil P.J. Price began his studies of these fiber-rich carbs in 2007 under the terms of a cooperative agreement with a company called Temple-Inland. This Texas, USA-based producer of wood products made from loblolly pine and other southern yellow pine trees approached ARS about potential new applications of the carbs.
Price used proton magnetic resonance and other analytical techniques to study the potential benefits of the carbs as a petfood ingredient. This research led to another collaborative study directed by George C. Fahey, Jr., a University of Illinois emeritus professor of animal sciences.
In the second study, purified GGMOs from southern yellow pine were added, in place of dietary cellulose, to a high-quality kibble at the rate of 0.5-8 percent. The kibble, or a "control" kibble containing no added GGMOs, was then fed to six healthy female dogs. Analyses of the dogs' fecal samples showed that increasing the percentage of pine GGMOs in the kibble was, in general, associated linearly with several significant indicators of a healthy lower digestive system, including an increase in populations of beneficial Bifidobacterium bacteria.

Raw petfood diets have health benefits for dogs, article says

Feeding raw petfood diets has been debated by both pet owners and health experts, says an article on the pet website Pawnation, which looks at whether or not these diets really lead to a longer life for pets.
Pet writer Dorri Olds says she supports the raw diet after having success feeding it to her dog and believes the health benefits will help her dog to live longer. 
Raw petfood diets are based on the concept that dogs are carnivores and so, would naturally eat raw meat in the wild, as opposed to the grains like wheat, rice, soy and corn found in typical commercial diets.
Olds says she decided to try the raw food diet after meeting dog chef Kevyn Matthews, who told her that raw food will help extend her dog's lifespan. Olds claims her dogs bowel movements are healthier and her dog's breath and coat improved after switching to the raw diet. 
"When your pet eats heated and processed 'dead' food without enzymes, their system will kick into survival mode to digest food," Olds says. "This means borrowing digestive enzymes from their metabolic enzymes. When that happens, your pet's body is in overdrive and only able to partially digest food. Whatever isn't digested can enter the bloodstream."
However, some believe that the health risks of feeding a raw diet are greater than the benefits. Bacteria like Salmonella can be spread easily, but Olds says Matthews assured her his raw diet plan includes probiotics to fight off potential infection. 

New pet retailer program for liquid dog supplement announced

After being introduced at Global Pet Expo 2013, the makers of LICKS for Dogs have announced a limited-time pet retailer program. Independent retailers who place initial orders by May 31 will receive 90 free sample packets of the liquid vitamin product for dogs to hand out to customers. 
Packs of US$2- and US$5-off manufacturer’s coupons will also be provided to stimulate trial. Additionally, a free one-month supply of LICKS for Dogs will be made available for every pet-owning staff member. Staff training, in-store demos and support for special promotional events will also be provided upon request.  
LICKS for Dogs are a line of single-serving packaged canine liquid vitamins. The liquid pet supplements are offered in three formulas: Joint+Heart Signature Formula, Zen Calming Formula and Athlete Active Formula.

Royal Canin survey looks at factors influencing petfood, pet choice

In a recent survey, petfood manufacturer Royal Canin set out to determine America's favorite breeds, uncover how "dog people" differ from "cat people," factors that come into play when choosing a pet and what influences pet owners' petfood choices. 
The survey found that more than 55 percent of cat owners rank appearance as the most important factor when choosing a feline friend, while nearly 62 percent of dog owners look at size when choosing a dog. The survey found that cat and dog owners are similar in that nearly half (40 percent) of cat owners and a third (28 percent) of dog owners say a "mixed-breed" pet is their favorite type of cat or dog. 
“It’s interesting to learn how different cat and dog owners can be when choosing, and making decisions for, their pets,” said Dr. Brent Mayabb, veterinarian and manager of education and development at Royal Canin. “Whatever factors come into play, understanding an animal’s physical and physiological traits is critical to providing the best care.” 
When asked how they select a petfood, more than half of dog owners (56 percent) and cat owners (53 percent) said nutritional factors were most important. 
“This is encouraging, as it shows that owners understand the importance of feeding pets according to their unique nutritional needs,” said Mayabb. “Whether they own a pure breed or a mixed-breed, owners should always aim to provide the most precise care and nutrition for their four-legged friends.”

Higher-fat, lower-protein diet may aid dogs' smelling skills

Dogs' smelling skills may be improved by cutting protein and adding fats into the diet, according to new research.
A higher-fat, lower-protein petfood diet helps dogs return to lower body temperatures after exercise, which reduces panting and improves sniffing, researchers from Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and Auburn University found. 
The US Department of Justice-funded study found that detection dogs are actually more reliable than was previously thought. The study was conducted in an Alabama, USA, detection dog research facility designed in conjunction with a military dog trainer. The facility provides expert detection dogs to police and military forces.
During the study, fumes in the facility were flushed out each time between tests to ensure a fresh detection field each time. "Previous studies from other facilities, which lack this feature, had suggested detection dogs signaling for suspect substances are about 70 percent accurate," said Joseph Wakshlag, associate professor of clinical studies and chief of nutrition at Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine. "The lower numbers may have been due to study design flaws which our new study overcame. Dogs tested in the new facility signaled with 90 percent and above accuracy. We also found we can push detection performance even further with the right kind of food."
The study rotated 17 trained dogs over an 18-month period through three petfood diets: high-end performance diet, regular adult dog food and regular adult dog food diluted with corn oil. The high-performance and corn-oil diets were designed to have the same amount of energy from fat (57 percent), but the corn oil diet had less protein, with 18 percent compared to the 27 percent in regular and high-performance diets. Researchers then gauged how the different diets affected the different dogs. They found that dogs that ate the normal diet diluted with corn oil returned to normal body temperatures quickest after exercise and were better at detecting smokeless powder, ammonia nitrate and TNT.
According to Wakshlag: "Corn oil has lots of polyunsaturated fats, similar to what you'd find in a lot of nuts and common grocery store seed oils. Past data from elsewhere suggest that these polyunsaturated fats might enhance the sense of smell, and it looks like that may be true for detection dogs. It could be that fat somehow improves nose-signaling structures or reduces body temperature or both. But lowering protein also played a part in improving olfaction.
"If you're a dog, digesting protein raises body temperature, so the longer your body temperature is up, the longer you keep panting, and the harder it is to smell well. Our study shifts the paradigm of what 'high-performance' diet can mean for dogs. It depends on what you want your dog to do. A sled dog or greyhound may need more protein to keep going. But detection dogs tend to exercise in shorter bursts and need to recover quickly and smell well. For that, less protein and more fat could help," said Wakshlag.

RECALL: P&G recalls Iams Shakeables Turkey, Lamb dog treats

Procter & Gamble has issued a recall of select lot numbers of Iams Shakeables Turkey dog treats and Iams Shakeables Lamb dog treats due to possible mold growth in the dog treats.
Affected Iams Shakeables Turkey and Lamb dog treat formulas include 6-ounce cans marked with the following lot numbers:
[2342]419715A
[2325]419715A
[2331]419715A
[2332]419715A
[2341]419715A
[3016]419715A
[3017]419715A
[3018]419715A
[3046]419715A
[2338]419715A
Consumers who purchased the recalled Iams Shakeables Turkey dog treats and Lamb dog treats should contact Procter & Gamble at +1.877.894.4458.

International Canine Health Awards presented at Crufts dog show

The International Canine Health Awards, European veterinary awards, were recently presented to three people during a ceremony at the 2013 Crufts dog show in Birmingham, UK.
The awards recognize and reward innovative researchers, veterinary scientists and students who are impacting the health and well-being of dogs, helping to transform the understanding of human diseases, too.
The winners, Dr. Elaine Ostrander, Dr. Gustavo Aguirre and student, Emily Milodowski, were nominated by their peers. They were awarded a combined £60,000 (US$89,344.39) for their work in dog health and developments in veterinary science, donated by Metro Bank founder and chairman and his wife, Vernon and Shirley Hill.
Dr. Elaine Ostrander was chosen as the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for her work contributing not only to developments in canine health, but also transforming the understanding of several human diseases. Her work has stretched over two decades, during which she has led advances in the understanding of mammalian genomics as well as the genetic basis of cancer susceptibility.
Dr. Gustavo Aguirre was awarded the International Prize in Canine Health for his work in the recognition and characterization of eye diseases in dogs, applying both clinical and genetic solutions. His work alongside Dr. Ostrander has allowed him to undertake groundbreaking research into canine eye diseases and to date has identified more than 14 different retinal disease genes that cause inherited blindness in more than 59 breeds of dogs.
Bristol University student Emily Milodowski won the Student Inspiration Award. She was chosen for her research on the prevalence and distribution of a bacteria called Campylobacter in the canine intestine, which again may eventually help human health. Her next research project will look into wound healing in dogs.