PU Teachers and Student Successfully Completed Their 2024 "SAU-PU" Summer Exchange Internship Program

On June 15th, the College of Veterinary Medicine of Sichuan Agricultural University (SAU) and Purdue University (PU) College of Veterinary Medicine jointly launched their 2024's summer vet exchange program. As the first visit of PU to SAU in the "post-COVID-19" era, this program brought eight PU DVM students and one leading teacher. As a leading teacher, Dr. Shi Riyi is the Mari Hulman George Professor and Director of the Paralysis Research Center. Under his supervision, this PU team together with the SAU staff completed this 15-day exchange internship program in China.

Experience the Charms of "Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine and Chinese Veterinary Drugs" through Specialized Internship Course Teaching and Training

Upon arriving at Sichuan Agricultural University, the PU group immediately embarked on clinical internships at the Second Animal Teaching Hospital of SAU, "Wang Miao Tai" Hospital, and the Ivys Equestrian Club, respectively, after familiarizing themselves with the campus culture and visiting the Experimental Building of the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Specimen Museum of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Unlike previous PU internships, the eight interns not only completed studies of the theoretical courses such as "Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture," "Chinese Medicinal Plant Identification," and "Chinese Medicinal Chemistry," but also conducted a series of acupuncture firsthand experiences and clinical acupuncture treatments for dogs and cats under the guidance and supervision of Prof. He Changliang who is famous for the traditional Chinese Veterinary diagnosis and treatment. During this internship, the PU interns Ms. Joyce Jia and Jaylin Dionne Lewis, together with Prof. He Changliang, analyzed and discussed several complex and difficult clinic cases, aiming to achieve better treatment effects through the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine. The interns also showed great interest in acupuncture points, actively exchanging ideas with the teaching instructor, Dr. Tang Huaqiao, and marveling at the profound knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine and veterinary medicine.

In the appreciation of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, Li Lixia and Fu Yuping, respectively explained the basic theory of Chinese medicine and the characteristics, microscopic identification of common Chinese medicinal materials (such as Ophiopogon japonicus, Coptis chinensis, Carthamus tinctorius, Artemisia annua, Bombyx batryticatus, Gypsum). This section included the field investigation in Chengdu Hehuachi Chinese Medicinal Materials Market, the visit at Chengdu University of TCM's Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Museum and Chinese medicinal plantations, popularizing the application and promotion prospects of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese veterinary medicine. During this period, Zhang Wei, a teacher from the Department of Pharmacy, provided on-site teaching. He initiated the process of traditional Chinese medicine, making the 8 Purdue University interns enjoy the process and gain homemade traditional Chinese medicine "gifts".

Professor Shi Riyi said, "As the only traditional veterinary medicine in the world that retains a complete and independent theoretical system, Chinese veterinary medicine uses mostly natural herbs in its prescriptions, which are free from external hormones, residues and are not prone to lead pathogens to drug-resistant." Theory of "preventive treatment of disease" and natural therapy of Chinese veterinary medicine proposed by Vice Dean Chen Zhengli can not only achieve "preventing animal diseases from spreading to humans and moving the prevention measures forward," but also promote the cycle of breeding and protect the environment."

Explore the National Treasure-- giant panda thourgh On-site Investigation

As the flagship species of wild animals--giant panda, its daily feeding management and disease prevention is another theme of this internship. At the Ya'an base of China Conservation and Research Center for Giant Panda, eight interns assisted in preparing fresh bamboo and making panda cakes to understand the giant panda's diet and they learned about the unique language and habits of giant pandas by observing and comparing the behaviors of different ones. They realized common diseases and prevention of giant pandas through communicating with veterinarians at the base hospital, and they knew more about common parasities and principles of drug selection for deworming through testing fecal eggs of giant panda. They also planted bamboo and joined the giant panda conservation cause. At the end, they wrote down their best wishes for giant pandas. During the two-day internship at the giant panda base, the interns not only received the panda volunteer certificate, but also personally experienced the giant panda culture and learned the responsibility of veterinarians in panda diseases.

Recieve the Panda Volunteer Certificate

Experience Sichuan's "Ancient Town Culture, Tea Culture" in Weeekend

During PU Interns' leisure time, they not only experienced the "slow life", food, and shopping in Sichuan, but were also deeply attracted by the ancient town culture of Kuanzhai Alley and Shangli Ancient Town. They seemed to have traveled through time and returned to the past. Various handicrafts, folk arts, etc., allowed them to experience the cultural charm of Sichuan. Furthermore, the interns also came to our school's Tibetan tea teaching and practice base--Sichuan Jixiang Tea Co., Ltd., visiting the Tibetan tea plantation and production process. While experiencing the fragrance of Tibetan tea, they also appreciated our Sichuan tea culture.

The two-week internship passed in a flash, and the interns gained a lot. Intern Jacob Mishne expressed his desire to strive for the opportunity to come to SAU next time and continue to deepen his study of veterinary acupuncture. Joyce Jia, Melanie Ruby Figueroa Cordero, and Krystal Enid Nieves Aviles experienced "cupping" firsthand, leaving a kiss from China.

At the graduation ceremony on the 29th, Professor Chen Shun, the dean of the Veterinary Hospital of SAU, once again reviewed the origin of the "SAU-PU Summer Exchange Internship Program" and expressed blessings for the upcoming five-year internship program. Professor Jia Renyong, the secretary of party committee of the college, congratulated the teachers and students for successfully completing the internship tasks. During the period, Jia Renyong, Chen Shun, and Shi Riyi discussed their opinions on how to develop the exchange program for students from both sides. Afterwards, Jia Renyong and Chen Shun jointly awarded internship completion certificates to 8 students. Joyce Jia and Jacob Mishne, as representatives of the interns, were interviewed by the college and expressed their affirmation and love for this project, as well as their hope for the smooth implementation of the projects in future.

It is reported that Professor Xie Yue, a young teacher from College of Veterinary Medicine, will lead our students to the College of Veterinary Medicine of PU on July 11th for a two-week exchange.