My name is Brianna Chan, and I am an undergraduate student entering my third year in Animal Biology at the University of Guelph, hoping to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to work as a research assistant under Dr. Ashley Spencer’s mentorship. Additionally, I was fortunate to shadow and assist the Clinical Nutrition team at the OVC Health Sciences Centre Companion Animal Hospital. Initially, I planned to visit the team to learn more about the nutrition service at the hospital. However, once I discovered the wealth of opportunities available, I was eager to stay and was warmly adopted by the team. Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Abood, the nutrition team, and my advisor, Dr. Spencer, I was able to experience a summer enriched with valuable knowledge about pet nutrition and veterinary medicine.
As a research student, I participated in the OVC Summer Career Opportunities and Research Exploration (SCORE) Program, and my project focused on the underlying causes, treatments, and outcomes of cats with anemia and immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA). In the SCORE program, I developed my networking skills, learned to write a research proposal, and at the end of the summer, presented my research findings to peers. Under Dr. Spencer’s guidance, I learned about different research methods and how they impact veterinary care. By formulating a research background, writing my proposal, collecting data, and analyzing it, I became more proficient about the causes, risk factors, and treatments for anemia and IMHA in cats. By helping with this project, I hope my efforts will one day improve the treatments that Dr. Spencer and her colleagues recommend to pet owners.
Brianna Chan presenting her research project on Feline Anemia and IMHA.
Along with three other summer research students, I directly participated in nutrition consultations with Dr. Manuela Fischer (Nutrition Resident) and Dr. Sarah Abood (Clinical Faculty). I also had the opportunity to write blog posts about kidney disease for the Nutrition Team’s ‘Before the Bowl’ blog. I was able to research the conditions of acute and chronic kidney disease and learn about dietary management to support both dogs and cats. By shadowing Dr. Abood and Dr. Fischer daily, I gained a deep understanding of the responsibilities and significance of veterinary nutritionists in a large teaching hospital. Nutrition is the one common thread across all the specialty services that impacts every animal’s health and its central role makes it essential for the overall care and treatment of patients.
A highlight of my summer was visiting the Royal Canin Pet Food Production Plant. I was captivated during the tour of the lab and fascinated by the extensive research and technology invested in producing kibble for cats and dogs. As a pet owner who feeds my two cats a Royal Canin diet, it was a cool experience to be able to see where the manufacturing of their kibble takes place. Seeing the wall filled with all the different types of kibble they make truly blew my mind!
(From left to right) Alison Ng and Brianna Chan scooping kibble in the OVC Companion Animal Hospital diet kitchen.
When I started this position, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but as the summer comes to an end, I’m thrilled with the opportunities I have been offered. From attending rounds and investigating babesia in dogs to performing stomach biopsies on a cat, the knowledge and new experiences I’ve gained will greatly contribute to my education and future career as a veterinarian. The mentors and role models I encountered at OVC, with their passion for the field, have set a standard that I hope to one day achieve.
Written by: Brianna Chan, Clinical Studies Summer Research Student
Reviewed by:
Dr. Sarah K. Abood, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor, Nestlé Purina Professorship in Companion Animal Nutrition
Dr. Ashley Spencer, MHSc, DVM, DACVIM