Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center

05/12/2026

We had an incredible day hosting a group of bright high school students from Botetourt County for an inside look at our Medical, Surgical, and Radiation Oncology services.

They got to see our LINAC up close, learn how our CT machine works, and explore the technology behind modern cancer care. Dr. Manning shared great insight into the benefits of radiation therapy, and Dr. Traverson even walked them through staining a surgical mass for pathology.

So much learning, curiosity, and excitement in one visit — we loved having them with us. ✨

04/23/2026

Employee spotlight for April: Caitlin

Meet Caitlin, our Administrative and Financial Coordinator. Caitlin keeps our business office running smoothly. From making sure billing is accurate to ordering inventory, she helps ensure everything behind the scenes is taken care of. Our team truly could not function without her support.
Get to Know Caitlin

1. What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned from working in oncology?
- I was surprised to learn that oncology appointments can still include smiles, treats, silly nicknames, and hope. I believe these moments matter just as much as the medicine.

2. What is your go-to “pick-me-up” on a tough day?
- A good sense of humor. I find that laughter can usually make any day better.

3. If you had to describe your personality using an emoji, what would it be?
- A happy cat emoji 😺. This fits my personality because I am usually very happy and I also love cats!

4. What is a hobby or interest most people at work might not know about you?
- I really enjoy building and decorating miniature dollhouses. I have been working on one at home for the past three years and hope to finish it once I have a little more space.

Thank you Caitlin for all you do at the ACCRC!

04/03/2026

Piggy is in clinical remission! 🧡 We're so proud of this sweet boy and his incredibly dedicated mom — read his full story at the link below.

Piggy the cat is in clinical remission — and it took a village to get him there.

The 6-year-old tabby was diagnosed with lymphoblastic lymphoma and treated at the Virginia Tech Animal Cancer Care and Research Center using a combination of chemotherapy and half-body irradiation therapy. His owner drove more than 200 miles each way for every appointment.

Support from Petco Love helped make that commitment possible by covering a portion of his treatment.

Read Piggy's story: https://loom.ly/2SKAj8o

03/26/2026

🌟 Employee Spotlight: Dr. Joanne Tuohy! 🌟
We’re incredibly fortunate to work alongside Dr. Joanne Tuohy, a truly exceptional veterinary surgical oncologist and associate professor at the Virginia‑Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Tuohy is also leading groundbreaking research. Her work focuses on developing histotripsy combined with immunotherapy for treating osteosarcoma. Her team is expanding this technology to target other tumor types, including liver, thyroid, and oral cancers.
She’s also collaborating on innovative approaches such as:
💠 a new analgesic drug for dogs
💠 oncolytic virus therapy
💠 photodynamic therapy for various veterinary cancers
Ultimately, her team aims to translate these advancements to help treat human cancers as well — a true example of One Health in action.
GET TO KNOW HER:
🩺 What inspired you to pursue veterinary surgical oncology?
➡️ “Helping pets and families with their cancer journey.”
🚵 What’s one hobby you love outside the office?
➡️ Mountain biking!
✨ What’s one small thing that always brightens your day?
➡️ Patients feeling well — and happy families.

In classic Dr. Tuohy fashion, she insisted we spotlight her beloved dog Jasper instead of herself. 😄💙🐾 And honestly… we get it. Jasper is adorable.
We’re so lucky to have Dr. Tuohy on the ACCRC team. Her impact is heartfelt, far‑reaching, and truly inspiring. 💙🐾

03/25/2026

🎉🐾 Duke’s Big Graduation Exit!
Duke isn’t just a patient—he’s a whole vibe. Every visit, DD and Tomicka kicked things off with “The Duke Dance,” complete with chants and goofy moves (his favorite part).
So when he finished his protocol last week, DD suggested we all walk him out doing his dance. His owners loved the idea and had their camera ready!
We learned the steps, gathered the crew, and celebrated Duke in true Duke fashion—singing, dancing, and sending him off in style. 💛🐶
We love all our graduations, but this one was extra special!

03/13/2026

Baby Lamb melted our hearts when she arrived as the inseparable "tiny shadow" to her 100-lb Anatolian Sheepdog best friend, Eve.

While Eve has returned home to recover from a mass removal, Baby Lamb is spending the weekend at the Virginia Tech Veterinary Teaching Hospital for her own surgical care. The team there is working hard to ensure she heals just as well as her big farm dog companion.

Please send your warmest thoughts to this special duo as they recover! 💛🐑🐕

03/04/2026

A wonderful highlight about a very special boy. 🧡

Ragnar spent more than a decade comforting families at Oakey’s Funeral Services, attending more than 1,000 funerals and helping people who were withdrawn find a way to open up. One week after he retired, the golden retriever was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma, a form of cancer.

03/02/2026

🦎🐾 Never a dull moment in our waiting room! Echo the iguana is here celebrating his 1‑year post‑Radiation Therapy recheck, while Whisky is visiting for her post clinical trial chemo. We love these two brave patients! 💚💛

02/27/2026

Huckson understood the assignment: finish radiation ✔️ ring the bell ✔️ jump for joy ✔️
Congrats to our newest graduate—he absolutely nailed it! 🎉🛎️💙

02/23/2026

February Staff Spotlight
✨ Meet Kelsay – Our Oncology Technician Supervisor! ✨
If you've ever visited our oncology team, you’ve probably met Kelsay’s bright smile, quick wit, and unstoppable energy. A cancer survivor, costume‑making wizard, and passionate advocate for patients and families, she brings heart, humor, and incredible dedication to everything she does. 💛
Get to know her a little better in this fun Q&A!

🎨 If you could recruit any cartoon animal to join the oncology team, who would it be and what would their job be?
Kelsay: “Mordecai from the Regular Show. He'd make a good Veterinary Assistant—or at least an entertaining one.”

🐶 If your coworkers had to describe you as a dog or cat breed, which one would they pick and why?
Kelsay: “Apparently, I give off Orange Cat Energy or a Shiba Inu. High energy, silly, bold, and very vocal.”

🎭 What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Kelsay: “I have a million hobbies! My main one is ‘historically adequate’ costuming for Renaissance festivals. I’m currently making a dress based on a fashion plate from the 1560s.

💛 What inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary oncology, and what keeps you passionate about work each day?
Kelsay: “As a cancer survivor myself, I felt deeply connected to oncology and was drawn to the ACCRC because it offers the unique opportunity to work in a specialty oncology clinic while also supporting cutting‑edge cancer research. Being part of a team advancing treatment options makes the work especially meaningful.”

💚 Help us celebrate the wonderful, talented, and endlessly enthusiastic Kelsay!