Gift from Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada Enhances Clinical Nutrition Service at OVC

A ribbon cutting event at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) on September 24 marked the official opening of modern and efficient working environments for teaching, research and patient care in clinical nutrition in the College’s Companion Animal Hospital. These renovations are thanks to support from Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada.

This gift was one of three from Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada in the last 12 months, illustrating the philanthropic nature of this company’s 30-year legacy of giving to OVC that now totals nearly $2.7M. Nestlé Purina views these investments in veterinary education as consistent with their mission to provide pets with the best life possible -- a mission shared with veterinarians everywhere.

“We are thrilled to support this upgrade to the OVC’s nutrition facilities. This project helps to emphasize the importance of nutrition in comprehensive care for patients,” says Nick Giakoumatos, Director – Veterinary Channel, at Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada. “Through our longtime partnership with the OVC, we take great pride in supporting veterinarians and future veterinarians.”

Before the renovation, the work room was cramped and badly needed new equipment. Now the Nestlé Purina PetCare Companion Animal Nutrition Pod boasts five individual workstations, a display monitor, white board and new cabinetry. Across the hall, the Nestlé Purina PetCare Companion Animal Nutrition Kitchen features customized shelving, an additional refrigerator for storing pet food, cabinet space, new flooring, better lighting and an industrial-sized blender.

“With these kitchen upgrades, we can deliver more options for dietary support to our hospitalized patients,” says Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, who established the OVC Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Clinical Nutrition Service. “Our nutrition pod can accommodate the entire team in one room.”

Nestlé Purina has also provided funding for four years to employ a student in the summer through the Nestlé Purina Companion Animal Nutrition Summer Studentship. Alison Ng, OVC Class of 2027, was the 2024 Purina summer student. She participated in client consultations, nutritional assessments of patients in the hospital and internal medicine and pathology rounds. She also gained hands-on experience conducting procedures with the Internal Medicine Service. Alison describes a typical workday in her role in this short video. 

Finally, of key importance, Nestlé Purina also renewed their support for the Nestlé Purina Professorship in Companion Animal Nutrition at OVC. The company pledges each year to fund this position currently held by Dr. Sarah Abood. Dr. Abood serves as the Chief of the OVC HSC Clinical Nutrition Service and the rotation coordinator for the Phase 4 Small Animal Clinical Nutrition Elective Rotation. In her role, she offers lectures, workshops, labs and hands-on clinical experiences to hundreds of student veterinarians each year, as well as clinical and academic supervision of several graduate students.

“Thanks to Nestlé Purina, OVC is the only Canadian veterinary college with two companion animal nutrition faculty,” says Dr. Verbrugghe. “This makes OVC well-equipped to offer a residency-training program in clinical nutrition and further grow our pet nutrition graduate program.”

“Dr. Verbrugghe and I co-advise two Doctor of Veterinary Science students, who aim to become board-certified specialists in clinical veterinary nutrition,” says Dr. Abood. “We also advise another seven graduate students in a variety of masters’ and PhD programs, who are pursuing research in veterinary nutrition.”

“For 30 years, Nestlé Purina has bolstered the clinical nutrition service at OVC, making a real difference in our patient care,” said Dr. Jeff Wichtel, Dean, OVC. “We are very grateful for this longstanding collaboration. Their support has helped position us to consider a first-of-its-kind University Centre of Excellence in Companion Animal Nutrition.” 

Photos:

Top: Nick Giakoumatos, Director, Veterinary Channel, Nestlé Purina North America and Dr. Jeff Wichtel, Dean, OVC, mark the opening of newly renovated clinical nutrition spaces at OVC.

Middle: Before (left) and after (right) photos of the Nestlé Purina PetCare Companion Animal Nutrition Pod and the Nestlé Purina PetCare Companion Animal Nutrition Kitchen.

Bottom: L-R: Dr. Sarah Abood, Nestlé Purina Professor in Companion Animal Nutrition, OVC; Shoshana Verton-Shaw, Veterinary Technician Specialist in Nutrition, OVC; Dr. Helen Newton, Interim Director - Professional Engagement Team, Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada; Dr. Carol Hung, Veterinary Communications Manager, Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada; Nick Giakoumatos, Director - Veterinary Channel, Nestlé Purina North America; Dr. Adronie Verbrugghe, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Studies, OVC; and Dr. Jeff Wichtel, Dean, OVC.