New programs to launch at 5 top veterinary schools

Five top US veterinary schools are creating new programs to support research and development in various areas of feline and canine health. The programs, which will focus on nutrition, dermatology, cognition, and canine performance, are being funded by donations from Purina.

The new programs will be developed at:

• The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) in Philadelphia
• Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama
• The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville

• Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in Fort Collins
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York

"For decades, we have worked closely with veterinary schools to advance pet health and support the professional development of the veterinary community," Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD, chief veterinary officer for Purina, said in an organizational press release.¹ "These five new programs promise to offer nutritional and scientific advances and enrich the education and training of future leaders in veterinary medicine for generations to come."

What will the programs entail?

Penn Vet: The school will develop the Purina Canine Cognition and Performance Program to expand the Penn Vet Working Dog Center in the areas of canine cognition and performance. The program will focus on furthering the health and safety of people, pets, and the environment, and will include “life-saving search and rescue dogs to family companions,” according to Purina.

Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine: For this school, the donation will result in the Purina Professorship in Veterinary Nutrition, which will focus on developing education and training across all areas of canine and feline nutrition. The objective is to ensure “current and future generations of veterinary professionals can offer the highest level of comprehensive, integrative care.”¹

University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine: The University of Florida will develop the Purina Endowed Professor of Dermatology, which will support diagnostic and interventional training and research in veterinary dermatology and integrative nutrition.

Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: At Colorado State’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, students will have access to a new Purina Nutrition Suite: a 4-room building for education and training in nutrition. The facility will be located at the school’s Veterinary Health and Education Complex. The initiative will build on the recently established Purina Young Investigator Award Program, which provides ongoing funding to students and their faculty mentors to pursue and share scientific research.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: In Ithaca, Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine will create the Purina Cornell Veterinary Nutrition Program, which will build on the school’s work in nutrition, training, and clinical research. The program is intended to advance nutritional management strategies for healthy pets and those with complex health conditions. The new program will operate alongside the existing Purina Cornell Canine Healthy Aging and Mobility Program. “[T]his collaboration creates a multidisciplinary, integrative medicine center of excellence—one that will drive innovation and advance pet health and veterinary medicine,” wrote Purina in its announcement.¹

Reference

1. Purina announces donations to five leading veterinary schools to foster advancements in veterinary care. News release. Nestlé Purina PetCare. December 9, 2025. Accessed December 9, 2025. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/purina-announces-donations-to-five-leading-veterinary-schools-to-foster-advancements-in-veterinary-care-302636050.html