[January 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA] – Genetics play an increasingly important role in the advancement of canine health. The Canine Breeder Excellence Seminar, sponsored by Penn Vet and the Theriogenology Foundation, gives breeders the opportunity to learn from top experts in canine health.
The seminar will take place on Saturday, April 30, 2016, from 8:00am-5:30pm at Penn Vet’s Hill Pavilion, Room 130 (380 South University Avenue, Philadelphia). Advance registration costs $99 and on-site registration is $125. Click here for more information and to register. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Dr. Elaine Ostrander, PhD, will deliver the luncheon keynote, “Advances in Canine Genomics Lead Advances in Canine Genetics.” Ostrander is Chief & NIH Distinguished Investigator of the Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch of the National Human Genome Research Institute.
Ostrander’s lab developed the primary genomic mapping resources for the canine genetics field, and applied them to studies of disease and morphology. She and her collaborators were the first to map genes for canine epilepsy and Addison's disease, as well as kidney, squamous cell, and histiocytic cancers. All are now candidates for comparable human disorders. In recent years, Ostrander's experiments have revealed how modifications in small numbers of genes produce the enormous differences in canine body shape and size that characterize the spectrum of breeds.
Six prominent scientists also will participate in the seminar, discussing a variety of topics concerning canine health, from breeding programs and reproductive advancements to development and behavior. Speakers include:
Daniel Beiting, PhD, Research Assistant Professor of Pathobiology, Penn Vet
“The Microbiome in Canine Health and Disease”
Margret Casal, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor of Medical Genetics, Penn Vet
“Stud Dog Infertility: Who Dropped the Ball?”
Cindy O’Connor, DVM, Veterinarian, East Bridgewater Veterinary Hospital
“Canine Reproductive Advancements and Considerations for the Future”
Cindy Otto, DVM, PhD, Executive Director, Penn Vet Working Dog Center
“Why a Breeding Program is Important for Working Detection Dogs”
Carlo Siracusa, DVM, PhD, Director, Penn Vet’s Animal Behavior Service
“The World According to Dogs: Insight into Dog Cognition, Perception, and Emotion”
Gayle Watkins, PhD, President, Avidog International and Gaylan’s Golden Retrievers
“Mother Nature Meets Mother Nurture: Perinatal Influences on Dog Development and Behavior”
About the Theriogenology Foundation
The Theriogenology Foundation is a global non-profit which believes that the preservation and reproduction of animals is essential to human welfare. By engaging specialists in animal reproductive health and productivity, the Theriogenology Foundation formulates and implements solutions to combat human and animal diseases that threaten food security and the social and economic health of the world’s population. For more information, visit www.theriofoundation.org.
About Penn Vet
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) is a global leader in veterinary education, research, and clinical care. Founded in 1884, Penn Vet is the first veterinary school developed in association with a medical school. The school is a proud member of the One Health Initiative, linking human, animal, and environmental health.
Penn Vet serves a diverse population of animals at its two campuses, which include extensive diagnostic and research laboratories. New Bolton Center, Penn Vet's large-animal hospital on nearly 700 acres in rural Kennett Square, PA, cares for horses and livestock/farm animals. The hospital handles more than 4,000 patient visits a year, while the Field Service treats nearly 37,000 patients at local farms. In addition, New Bolton Center's campus includes a swine center, working dairy, and poultry unit that provide valuable research for the agriculture industry. Ryan Hospital in Philadelphia provides care for dogs, cats, and other domestic/companion animals, handling more than 31,000 patient visits a year.