It’s not usual to see a horse in the parking lot of the PEI Provincial Palliative Care Centre—except when Billy, the Norwegian Fjord horse, comes to visit.

Sixteen-year-old Billy is owned by Dr. Mary McNiven, professor of animal science at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC). For over three years, she has been bringing Billy to visit patients in the Centre. He interacts with the patients who want to visit with him at their windows, in the parking lot, or in the courtyard. Because of the way the Centre is designed, they can see him from their beds, and the windows can be opened so they can talk to him and his handlers.

“Billy’s visits are a highlight for the people here—our patients, their families, and our staff,” said Centre manager Peter Howatt. “He gives patients something to focus on and takes their minds off their own situation for a period of time.”

Charlottetown resident Kerry McKenna, a 58-year-old day patient at the Centre, loves to visit with Billy. McKenna was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and has been coming to the Centre two days a week ever since.

“He [Billy] makes me feel relaxed and calm, which takes my mind off having brain cancer,” he said.

While Billy’s visits bring pleasure to palliative care patients like McKenna, the horse is also part of a related research project. Led by McNiven, who is certified in equine-assisted therapy, the project team is working to determine the effect of the therapy on patients and also on the horse involved.

“Equine-assisted therapy is more common these days, with the target groups tending to be people who have problems caused by traumatic events and PTSD,” she said. “But people in palliative care have unique worries and concerns, and we want to determine what effect this therapy has on them. In addition, it is important to consider the welfare of the horses involved in equine therapy.”

Krisandra Cairns RN, a Master of Nursing student at the University of New Brunswick, approached McNiven about doing a project on equine-assisted therapy, and she jumped at the chance. McNiven is co-supervisor of Cairns’s masters program.

Cairns is in charge of the patient side of the project. The participating patients visit with Billy at least twice and watch a video of him getting ready to come to the Centre. She interviews each patient at the end of the visits and compiles their responses to him. She also evaluates their symptoms before and after their visits with Billy, using a health assessment tool. Her findings will be included in her master’s thesis.

Looking after Billy’s side of the project is Justine Macpherson, a second-year veterinary student at AVC. She assesses the variability of Billy’s heart rate—an indication of stress—on five occasions during the day that the horse visits the Centre. Billy wears a remote heart rate monitor for at least 10 minutes in a stall before leaving the farm, while he is in the trailer on the way to and back from the Centre, during the visit itself, and for at least 10 minutes in his stall after the journey. Macpherson will present the results of her study at a research symposium at AVC in August.

And what does Billy think? Well, that’s hard to say, but standing in the parking lot after doing his rounds, he was so relaxed that he was almost asleep! McNiven said the patients get involved in Billy’s life.

“They know him; they ask about him; they even worry about him a bit,” she said. “They look forward to seeing him.”
 

AVC now has a new website that makes donating to the College quick and easy. Supporters can click on Give to AVC on the front page of the College’s main website to go to the donation website. On that site, they will find 12 funds that they can support by clicking on the appropriate link.

“We work to ensure the health and welfare of animals and people by educating and training veterinarians, exploring the causes and cures for health problems, and providing animals with top-quality medical care,” said Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC. “The support of our donors is critical to the achievement of these goals, and for this, I thank them.”

Bruce Donaldson, coach of the UPEI Women’s Hockey team, is pleased to announce that Sydney Lyndon has confirmed she will play for the Panthers for the 2018–2019 season. Lyndon has played minor hockey since 2012, playing the last three seasons for the Ottawa Lady Senators in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).

“Sydney is a strong defensive player who I watched a few times over this past winter,” said Donaldson. “I first noticed her when I went to the Stoney Creek tournament in September, and then again, when I was in London watching the first round of the PWHL play-offs. Her coach speaks very highly of her abilities. She clearly likes the contact piece of the game and was always on the ice during odd-man opportunities.”

Lyndon joins the Panthers during an exciting time for UPEI Athletics and Recreation and UPEI Women’s Hockey as UPEI will host back-to-back U-SPORTS women’s hockey championships in 2019 and 2020. Work is well underway to make these events successful.

“I knew I wanted to attend UPEI and play for the Panthers from the moment I arrived on campus,” said Lyndon. “Coach Donaldson and my future teammates welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like part of the team. I love Charlottetown—it reminds me of home. It’s a place where I can see myself learning and maturing. I am also very excited and honoured to have the opportunity to play U-SPORTS hockey with the UPEI Panthers for the next few years.”

Lyndon has been accepted into the Kinesiology program in the Faculty of Science.

Go Panthers Go!

AVC honoured staff members for excellence and retiring faculty and staff during its annual ice cream social on June 28.

Dr. Greg Keefe, dean of AVC, presented Dean’s Awards of Excellence to Rosemary McIver, Graduate Studies and Research (nominated by Dr. Larry Hammell); Sherri Pineau, Biomedical Sciences (nominated by Dr. Jonathan Spears); Natasha Robinson, Health Management (nominated by Dr. Shawn McKenna); and Matt Saab, Diagnostic Services (nominated by Dr. Anne Muckle).

“On behalf of AVC, I thank this year’s award winners for the contributions they make to the success of our teaching, research, and service programs,” said Dr. Keefe.

Retirees honoured included Rita Saunders (Pathology and Microbiology), Kaye Rodd (Veterinary Teaching Hospital) and Dr. Paul Hanna (Pathology and Microbiology). Hooligan, a teaching horse with 25 years of service, was also recognized at the social.

Dr. Keefe thanked the retiring staff and faculty members, and Hooligan, for their many years of service at AVC and wished them good health and happiness during their retirement.

The University of Prince Edward Island recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize the working relationship between the L.M. Montgomery Institute and Parks Canada.

The agreement will provide opportunities for the two organizations to identify and partner on common goals such as heritage resources conservation, public understanding and appreciation, visitor experience, and increasing Canadians’ connection with Parks Canada Places. In particular, the LMMI and Parks Canada will look at projects related to Green Gables Heritage Place and the life and stories of Lucy Maud Montgomery.

The agreement was signed by Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, UPEI President and Vice-Chancellor; Karen Jans, Field Unit Superintendent, PEI, for Parks Canada; and Dr. Philip Smith, Chair of the LMMI.

“We are very pleased to enhance our already strong relationship with Parks Canada by signing this MOU for the L.M. Montgomery Institute,” said President Abd-El-Aziz. “Parks Canada and the LMMI both have tremendous reputations when it comes to promoting our Island literary treasure, Lucy Maud Montgomery. This collaboration will lead to increased public engagement with Montgomery’s work.”

Dr. Philip Smith, chair of the LMMI said, “While we’ve always had positive conversations with Parks Canada over the years about L.M. Montgomery’s legacy, this agreement provides a formal framework for our discussions. It is a great opportunity to advance new ways of learning about Montgomery's influence at home on the Island, across Canada, and around the world.”

The L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island was launched 25 years ago with the goal of promoting research into, and celebrating, the life, works, culture, and influence of Prince Edward Island-born L.M. Montgomery, one of Canada’s most famous authors. During her lifetime (1874–1942), Montgomery wrote over 20 novels, numerous poems and short stories, and 10 volumes of personal journals. She is most famous for her first novel, Anne of Green Gables, with its iconic character, Anne Shirley, whose life in fictional Avonlea continues to delight millions of readers around the world. Housed in the University’s Robertson Library, the Institute has developed a strong scholarship base and its own collection of Montgomery-related artefacts, sponsored courses on Canadian culture, published essay collections based on its biennial conferences, and developed multi-media products to further scholarly discussion of the author’s work.

John LaBoyne, coach of UPEI’s Women’s Rugby team, is pleased to announce Katlyn Berkelaar has committed to the Panthers for the 2018–2019 season.

Berkelaar is a lock player from Williams Lake, British Columbia where she played for the Lake City Secondary School Falcons in both 7s and 15s rugby. Berkelaar won a silver medal this year at the BC Provincial Regional Championships, playing for the Thompson Okanagan Rugby Alliance.

“Katlyn has a solid background foundation and is spending the summer developing her strength and fitness in preparation for her debut with the Panthers,” said LaBoyne.

“I’m really looking forward to attending UPEI and playing rugby for the Panthers,” said Berkelaar. “It will be a change for me, coming from a small town in British Columbia. This is a big step towards achieving more goals and making new friends.”

Berkelaar has been admitted to the Faculty of Arts.

Go Panthers Go!

Bruce Donaldson, head coach of the UPEI Women’s Hockey team, is pleased to announce Jolena Gillard has committed to the Panthers for the 2018–2019 season. Gillard is a versatile goal scoring forward from Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Jolena will be a great addition to our line,” said Donaldson. “She has great size, a strong touch around the net, and should be able to adjust to the AUS level quickly. Jolena is one of those players who loves the game, taking advantage of every chance she can to be on the ice. We are excited and pleased Jolena has picked UPEI as her program of choice.”

Gillard was the top scorer and MVP for the Newfoundland Midget AAA league, scoring more than 40 goals in the 2017–2018 season, and helping her team win the league championship. She also played for the boys’ team at Elwood High School, recording 20 points in 20 games. She was just one of two girls (including her sister) on the boys’ team.

“I chose UPEI because I know it will give me the best education to pursue and help develop my career,” said Gillard.

Gillard has been admitted to UPEI’s Faculty of Arts.

Go Panthers Go!

UPEI Student Affairs, in partnership with the Queer Collective, raised the Pride flag on Monday, July 23, at noon at the flag plaza near the Kelley Memorial Building.

The flag raising was greeted by the largest-ever crowd in the event’s eight-year history, as students, staff, faculty, and community members attended the short ceremony. Brittany Jakubiec from the Queer Collective greeted everyone, while Treena Smith, director of Student Affairs, offered a few closing remarks on behalf of her department. Greetings and words of support also came from Jackie Podger, UPEI’s vice-president Administration and Finance; Dr. Ann Braithwaite, coordinator of the Diversity and Social Justice program; and Sarah MacEachern, vice-president of student life for the UPEISU.

The raising of the flag recognizes that UPEI supports all of its students, faculty, and staff and celebrates PEI Pride Week, July 23–27. Pride PEI is raising flags at different locations across the province today.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Approximately 280 experts in animal behaviour and welfare from 27 countries will participate in the International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) 2018 Congress at the University of Prince Edward Island from July 30 to August 3.

The opening ceremony of the conference will take place on Tuesday, July 31, from 9:00–9:30 a.m. in the Duffy Science Centre Amphitheatre.

The Congress will bring together ethological and veterinary research under the theme, “Ethology for health and welfare,” with a specific session on veterinary aspects of ethology and welfare. The detailed program can be found at http://isae2018.com/

Of particular note are three presentations on Tuesday, July 31, in the Duffy Science Centre Amphitheatre. Immediately following the opening ceremony is the Wood-Gush Memorial Lecture by Stevan Harnad, professor of psychology at Université du Québec à Montréal. In his lecture entitled “The Other-Minds Problem in Other Species,” he will discuss the difficulty in studying the feelings of animals and the implications of animal sentience on the use of animals in society.

At 2:30 p.m., Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal scientist who has successfully applied research on animal behaviour to methods of handling and slaughter, will give a plenary talk on how to apply academic research on animal behaviour to commercial farms and slaughter plants.

And at 3:15 p.m., Jackie Wepruk, general manager of the National Farm Animal Care Council, will explain how research on animal behaviour is integrated into the national codes of practice written by livestock commodity groups.

During the conference, there will be 117 oral presentations and 89 poster presentations. Topics cover behaviour and welfare of many species, including horses, cattle, companion animals, laying hens, swine, sheep and goats, wildlife, and laboratory animals. A sampling of topics includes the ability of animals to evaluate technology such as virtual fencing; brain imaging to visualise neural activity associated with emotions in sheep; problems in using aversive dog training methods; the impairment of memory in dogs because of osteoarthritis; factors affecting fighting in pigs; different types of play behaviour in animals; and effects of zoo visitors on penguins.

About the ISAE:
The 700-member ISAE is the leading scientific society for the study of the behaviour and welfare of confined or domesticated animals, including companion, farm, zoo, and managed wild animals. This will be only the second time that the congress will be held in Canada and only the fifth time in North America. Over the last 50 plus years, the ISAE has facilitated a major expansion of diverse research on applied ethology and has contributed to an increased understanding of animal welfare. Members of the ISAE provide scientific expertise on committees and working groups, such as the National Farm Animal Care Council, that make recommendations on legislation, codes of practice, and guidelines designed to improve animal welfare.
 

The University of Prince Edward Island has lowered the flags in front of Kelley Memorial Building and at UPEI Alumni Canada Games Place to half-mast to honour the two Fredericton Police officers and two civilians who were killed during a shooting incident this morning in Fredericton, New Brunswick.

Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, President and Vice-Chancellor, said, “On behalf of the UPEI community and along with other Maritimers, I offer our sincere condolences to the City of Fredericton and especially to the families and friends of the victims of today’s tragedy.”

“We also extend our thanks and support to all first responders, including our own UPEI Security Services team, as they grapple with the loss of their colleagues in New Brunswick. We are reminded, even more so today, that every time they begin a shift, women and men put themselves in harm’s way to protect and serve our communities.”