Vet Gazette

Librarian Derrick Padar demonstrates biofeedback software available for students  in the McDowell Veterinary library.

Veterinary students looking for a brief respite from exams, clinics, and information overload, do not have to go any further than the McDowell Veterinary Library at CVM. A group of computers in the library is now equipped with biofeedback software, called ‘Healing Rythmns’, that coaches users on relaxation techniques.

Librarian Derrick Padar will help new users get started by showing them how to log in to the program and hook up the clip-on finger sensors. Once on the Healing Rythmns screen, students can begin a simple, step-by-step process led by a soothing voice that helps quiet the mind, release physical tension and cultivate positive emotions. The finger sensors allow users to see the effect the program is having on their body.

For instance, in the exercise called ‘The Breathing Tree”, in which users are coached to breathe deeply and relax their body, a shimmering light climbs up the screen as the sensors record the reduction of sweat gland activity, heart rate and other indicators of stress.

Students can choose how much of the program they do at one time. Padar recommends allowing at least 30 minutes to get the hang of it and realize some benefit. The process becomes faster with practice.

Biofeedback instruments that help people become aware of physiological functions with the goal of controlling them have been around for a long time. CVM Network Engineer Dave Johnson started using a biofeedback machine in the 1980s to help manage migraine headaches. Eventually he became so skilled at monitoring and controlling his blood pressure, he no longer needed the machine. “It’s just second nature to me now,” he says.

As a cancer survivor dealing with nerve pain, Johnson now uses his biofeedback skills to help control pain. “I use it to reach a level of calm and control my blood pressure,” he says. “Then the rest falls into place.”

Johnson recommends biofeedback to students because it is good for managing anxiety and frustration.”Give it a shot,” he says. “It can be a hell of a lot of fun.”

If you own a dog, you may have a unique population of bacteria living on your skin according to researchers at the University of Colorado.

We all have a population of harmless bacteria living in and on our bodies that play an important role in our health. Dog owners appear to have a different assortment than those with no pets or even those who own cats. Read more.

OSU IVSA members (L to R): Ashley Reid, Kelly Norton, Sonja Lapinski, Victoria O’Nion, Kathleen Kraska presented a poster on the Nicaragua service trip.

Members of OSU’s International Veterinary Student Association attended the 10th Annual Western Regional International Health Conference at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland to present a poster on the OSU Annual Nicaragua Veterinary Service trip held in the community of Merida, Nicaragua.

The focus of this student-led conference was “Global Health in Changing Environments” and served to bring together students, professionals and experts pursuing research and education in a wide variety of subjects including global health, environmental health impacts, science, human and veterinary medicine, public health, pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, engineering and law.

The conference ran from April 5th – April 7th and opened with a keynote address by Dr. Howard Frumkin, M.D., Dr. PH at the Portland Art Museum discussing the human built habitat that we all inhabit, how it shapes our health and well-being and how we can shape our habitat in the future with health as a focus.  The remainder of the weekend was filled with poster sessions, plenary talks and break out sessions on multiple different tracks, including sharing the world’s resources, human rights and health, migrant and refugee health, ethics in global health, changing patterns of disease and the technology revolution and health.

Original research and student led projects were presented by students and professionals from around the world.  This was a great opportunity to connect with other students passionate about global health and to network with leaders in this exciting field of One Health.  Understanding the forces that shape health across the globe requires the synergistic interaction of many diverse minds working towards common goals and this conference is the perfect initiative to address these challenges.  If you are interested in learning more about the proceedings from the conference, please contact OSU IVSA.

Dog Fence DIY has created a new scholarship to assist pre-veterinary and veterinary students with their education. The $2,000 scholarship can be used at the recipient’s discretion.

Qualifying applicants should be enrolled full-time in a DVM program, an undergraduate pre-veterinary program, or the equivalent, and hold a minimum 3.5 GPA. Application deadline is June 1, 2013. To apply visit the Dog Fence DIY  website.

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