TRACKS Magazine

 

Our pets face many of the same cancers we do. In them, the disease often advances more quickly, so lessons that might take years to learn in people can emerge far sooner. Every patient at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center is part of that progress, for animals and people alike. In these pages, you'll meet Cody, Piggy, and Ragnar, three patients whose families chose to fight alongside our team. You'll hear from Joanne Tuohy about what her research is revealing, and meet Elliana Vickers, an accomplished cancer researcher who is now a first-year veterinary student learning the patient side of the work. You'll also learn how a transformational gift from Karen Waldron and Shawn Ricci moves that work forward, and read Chief Medical Officer Beatrix Manning's vision for how the center will grow. Behind every story are the families who trusted us with the animals they love and the team caring for them daily. Together, they are shaping the future of cancer care, and we hope you'll help carry that work forward.

Features

  • Article Item
    Shawn Ricci and Karen Waldron walking their dogs at their home.
    A Gift that Moves Care Forward , article

    The largest-ever non-estate gift given to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine will fund additional faculty and staff and allow the cancer center to accept more pet patients while conducting research that benefits animals and humans.

Message from the Chief Medical Officer


Impact

  • Video Item
    Local Tattoo Shop Raises Funds for Canine Cancer Research in Memory of Beloved Pet
    Local Tattoo Shop Raises Funds for Canine Cancer Research in Memory of Beloved Pet , video

    Jennifer and Cord Sherman knew something was wrong with their spunky Newfoundland, Wendy, when she started to slow down. When a mass appeared on her front left leg, their primary veterinarian referred them to the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center's Dr. Joanne Tuohy, clinical professor of surgical oncology. Dr. Tuohy and her research team are currently researching the affects of the groundbreaking cancer treatment histotripsy on canine patients with osteosarcoma, a cancer affecting the bone. Though Wendy enrolled in the study to receive treatment for her osteosarcoma, she sadly passed away a few months after entering the study. The Shermans were inspired by the love and care Wendy received from the Tuohy research team and decided to hold a fundraiser at their tattoo shop, Black Diamond Tattoo Studios in Radford, Virginia. The fundraiser lasted about a week and raised $6,413 in funds for Dr. Tuohy's histotripsy research.

When a family hears the word “cancer,” fear often comes first. At the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, we work every day to replace that fear with hope. Our team walks alongside each patient and family, using advanced technologies that target treatment more precisely with fewer side effects. Because pets develop many of the same cancers we do, often on a faster timeline, every patient we treat and every discovery we make also moves us closer to answers for people. A transformational $15 million gift from Karen Waldron and Shawn Ricci has expanded what’s possible, but our journey is just beginning. Your support helps more families get access to care they might not otherwise receive and fuels research that can change outcomes for animals and people alike.

Join us in carrying this work forward!

Clinical Insights

  • Article Item
    White dog on the beach.
    Faithful to the End , article

    Ragnar gave himself to others in some of their darkest days for most of the last decade. In the final weeks of his life, he saved his human family from hidden danger.

Inspire

  • Article Item
    Elliana Vickers standing in a laboratory wearing a white coat.
    Research Meets Practice , article

    With enough research accolades to be among the faculty, Elliana Vickers looks to grow in patient care as a student and fulfill a lifelong dream to be a veterinarian. 

  • Article Item
    Joanne Tuohy and Alayna Hay working in a laboratory.
    Q&A: Using sound to fight cancer in dogs and people , article

    Joanne Tuohy leads studies of histotripsy, a noninvasive treatment that uses focused ultrasound to destroy tumors.

  • Article Item
    A collage of photos of Jade Greer, her partner, and her dogs
    LVT Week Staff Spotlight: Jade Greer , article

    Meet Jade Greer, who as a licensed veterinary technician at the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center, induces and maintains anesthesia for patients undergoing radiation treatments and CT scans. Jade and her husband have two Catahoula Leopard dogs with Star Wars-inspired names, Saber and Mace. She has also lost two animals to cancer in the past two years, experiences that "have given me a deeper understanding of what pet owners go through when facing a cancer diagnosis."

Tails and Tips

  • Article Item
    Dog Photo
    Clinical Trials , article

    Working with veterinary patients and their owners, the Veterinary Clinical Research Office facilitates clinical trials and translational research studies that advance human and animal health. Many of the diseases we study have no effective therapies, and certain animals don’t respond well to existing therapies. Through our research, we aim to discover new and better methods of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment that will improve the quality of life for current and future patients.

  • Article Item
    A corgi wearing a forest ranger hat, bandana, and sweater while standing on a bench outdoors.
    Animal Care Tips , article

    A comprehensive collection of articles aimed at promoting the health and well-being of pets. These resources cover a wide range of topics, including preventive care, seasonal safety, behavioral guidance, and emergency preparedness.

  • Article Item
    The Virginia Tech Hokie Bird posing in front of the Running Together statue at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine.
    Spotlights , article

    Get to know the vibrant community that brings our college to life. From students pushing boundaries in veterinary science, to alumni making an impact in communities around the world, to dedicated faculty and staff shaping the future of animal and human health. Here, we also celebrate the furry, feathered, and scaled companions who keep us grounded and remind us why we do what we do. Explore heartfelt profiles, behind-the-scenes moments, expert advice, and everyday insights that highlight the people (and pets!) who make our college extraordinary.

Editor Margie Christianson |  Writers Kevin Myatt, Margie Christianson| Photographers Madison Brown, Margie Christianson, Luke Hayes, Andrew Mann | Web Editor Amy Winemiller

TRACKS Magazine is produced by the Office of Advancement in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Send comments and story ideas to cvmcomms@vt.edu.