UAF Veterinary Medicine

09/30/2026

Dr. Hansen at work with muskox in Girdwood, AK!

09/29/2026

We're so proud of our student, Madison, who was selected as the student speaker for Saturday's Blue & Gold Celebration! 💙💛 She absolutely crushed it, and even got to meet the donor of her scholarship, Dr. Barb Cole of Aurora Animal Hospital!

Check out the post below for more event photos and details!

09/29/2026

On September 12th, Dr Pietsch and the UAF Department of Veterinary Medicine had the opportunity to host a RECOVER CPR certification workshop in Fairbanks. Veterinary professionals participated in hands-on training focused on evidence-based cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques and emergency response skills.

A huge thank you to 4 Paws CPR, LLC for providing excellent instruction and to Aurora Animal Hospital for generously hosting the workshop and making this training possible. We are grateful for community partnerships that help strengthen veterinary education and support high-quality patient care across Alaska.

09/23/2026

Mark your calendars and join Dr. Pietsch for a webinar exploring barriers to rabies prevention across the globe and how professionals are working to overcome those barriers.

When: Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00am AKT

Register TODAY at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ghCSte07Tiei9fE59V5EtQ

09/19/2026

Both teams have crossed the finish line with smiles on their faces and impressive final times! Congrats to the Fairly Odd Parents and Boreal Chelonians!!! 💪🥳🙌

09/19/2026

And they're off!!! Spirit Week was a success! From themed days to the Friday carb-load pasta potluck, Vet Med brought the energy all week long as we geared up for the Equinox Marathon Relay Race!!

This morning our Fairly Odd Parents (students) and Boreal Chelonians (faculty) teams hit the starting line for the relay! The race is officially underway. Get out there and cheer them on! 💪🎉

09/15/2026

In today's news: UAF Nanook VetServe! 🐾 We're grateful this new opportunity exists for our students.

When Sue Carlton made a generous gift to Nanook VetServe to help support veterinary education and outreach, she chose to honor her veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Terrio of VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital in Virginia, who has cared for her pets for many years.

09/01/2026

Welcome to Fort Collins, Class of 2028!!

They were able to tour the hospital the day before classes and reunite with some of the 4th year students, who answered questions about what to expect during 3rd year courses and gave tips on the best places in town to hang out.

We're so excited for you to start spending time in the teaching hospital and can't wait to see all that this next chapter has in store!

08/13/2026

We appreciate Dr. Terrio for the exceptional care she provides, and Sue Carlton for her support of the Nanook VetServe (NVS) program! NVS provides financial support for students traveling to assist in providing veterinary care in Alaska's rural communities. 🐾
https://www.uaf.edu/nanookvetserve/

Years of compassionate care inspired a meaningful recognition.

When Sue Carlton made a generous gift to Nanook VetServe (NVS) to help support veterinary education and outreach, she chose to honor her longtime veterinarian, Dr. Kristin Terrio of VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital in Virginia, in recognition of the exceptional care Dr. Terrio and her team have provided over the years.

To celebrate that impact, Nanook VetServe presented Dr. Terrio with a certificate of appreciation, which is now displayed in the clinic's lobby.

Led by Dr. Gregory Pietsch with UAF Veterinary Medicine Nanook VetServe partners with local rural veterinary service providers to facilitate hands-on training opportunities for veterinary medicine students. Access to veterinary care in rural Alaska is limited, but this creates a unique opportunity for students to gain invaluable clinical experience in the field and under resource constraints. Their work also furthers the One Health mission, which is to recognize the vital connection between animal, human, and environmental wellbeing.

Thank you, Dr. Terrio, for making a lasting difference in the lives of your patients, clients, and the next generation of veterinarians.

Thank you, Sue Carlton, for your generous gift to NVS, and the impact it will have on veterinary students and local communities for years to come.

06/26/2026

The UAF Veterinary Medicine program is seeking participation from sled dog owners, mushers, handlers, and veterinarians who have experienced cases of sudden collapse or sudden death in sled dogs.

This research study is compiling information from past and current cases to better understand possible causes of sudden collapse and sudden death in sled dogs. The study includes retrospective case information, survey responses, necropsy reports when available, pedigree information, and genetic testing. The goal is to identify possible common findings, including pathological, physiological, and genetic factors, that may help improve our understanding of sled dog health and support future screening, prevention, and research efforts.

Participation may include completing a short survey and, if available, sharing information such as necropsy findings, veterinary records, pedigree information, or other relevant case details. All identifiable information will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes. No owner, kennel, dog, veterinarian, or identifying case information will be disclosed or published.

This study is intended to support the sled dog community by improving knowledge of sled dog physiology and health. It is not intended to assign blame, criticize kennels, or negatively impact the mushing community.

If you have had a sled dog experience sudden collapse, sudden unexplained death, or a related event, we would appreciate your participation.

Survey link:

https://forms.gle/MnVCrwr7yXQ9qYHc8