09/17/2025
Ivy League Donkeys: The Donkey Welfare Symposium 2025, Oct. 4-5, UC Davis, Davis, CA.
We have always looked up to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, New York. It is the second oldest veterinary school in the USA, having opened 1894 (Iowa State is the oldest, opened in 1879). This hallowed hall is part of “The Ivy League”, and many of our professors were graduates of Cornell, who came to the “Cow College” of UCD.
Dr. Erin Goodrich has frequently presented at The Donkey Welfare Symposium and even held the DWS one year at Cornell, the only time that it has been someplace other than UC Davis. Erin, a wonderful and approachable teacher, besides being a veterinarian (graduated Cornell in 2008), is also a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine. She is the Director of Veterinary Support Services at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, at Cornell. In this position she uses her expertise in laboratory testing to both aid veterinarians in their diagnoses and do research on a wide range of animal health topics. Most importantly she leads projects in validating clinical pathologic tests for donkeys and investigating vitamin E and Selenium deficiencies in donkeys across North America. Her list of book chapters and scientific papers is extensive.
A donkey owner herself, Erin teaches the only elective course in donkey internal medicine and care at any veterinary school or college in the USA. This year she will be demystifying all the tests that veterinarians can do for metabolic diseases like Metabolic Syndrome, Pars Intermedia Pituitary Dysfunction, and the dysregulation of Insulin. Other than donkey behavior, the meaning of tests for ACTH, Insulin, Glucose Absorption, Insulin Tolerance, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Thyroid Releasing Hormone Response are the main questions that we get from donkey owners. You will find that Erin’s ability to simplify the confusing maze of clinical chemistry to one and all gets her teaching some of the best reviews, year after year. She knows the details, understands the science, and can transmit her knowledge with the best of them. After the metabolic lectures, Erin will join Dr’s. Xue and Dybdal in a Donkey Welfare Symposium Panel discussion, where clinical experience and many years of research will answer your questions, and address future directions, treatments, and the controversies in this critical field for the health of your donkeys. You will also find that Erin is great to just talk to one on one. Have a glass of wine, listen to the music, and share your experiences with her.
