ABOUT US

It is clear that veterinary medicine is art, in many forms! It is also clear that there are artists in veterinary medicine.

Veterinary artists are invited to submit their work for sale to benefit Clinical Valley Fever (Coccidioidomycosis) Research at the First Annual Artistry and Veterinary Medicine exhibit in November 2008. The show will coincide with "Valley Fever Awareness Week" in Arizona. This is a debilitating fungal disease that affects humans and animals living in or visiting the Southwest. The fungus grows in the ground and spreads via inhalation of wind-blown spores. The insidious growth of the fungus in the body of many mammalian and reptilian species has been treated with difficulty for many years. For those who can't control the primary disease in the lung, the disease spreads to many other organs, including bone. In Pima County, Arizona alone, it is estimated that 3000 cases occur in dogs every year.

In addition to increasing the public's awareness of Valley Fever, this benefit show and sale is intended to provide interaction between the public and veterinarians in a non-clinical setting. Its goal is to promote the interaction of the veterinarian and pet owner in a social/artistic environment with the added benefit of fighting a disease that concerns many veterinarians and pet owners in the southwestern states. Twenty-five percent of sales will go directly to the Companion Animal Valley Fever Fund administered by the Valley Fever Center for Excellence.

One of the developers of the concept, Sharon Dial, a veterinary pathologist at the University of Arizona Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, will present an overview of the impact of Valley Fever on the companion animal population in the endemic area. The presentation will highlight early recognition of the disease by the owner and provide information on the state of research for development of new diagnostic methods and treatments.

We are inviting veterinarians to respond with their interest in this project to assist in planning the first of what we hope will be an annual event. Interested veterinarians, please contact the Artistry and Veterinary Medicine committee.

The show will be juried. Entries can be made via slides or digital images. Entries close, August 1st 2008. For more details about the show, click here.

ARTISTRY & VETERINARY MEDICINE SHOW COMMITTEE