Registration open for International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health

The following media release was issued by the PEI BioAlliance:

Organizers of the 8th International Symposium on Aquatic Animal Health have opened the conference and put out a call seeking abstract submissions for oral and poster presentations. The 2018 symposium marks the thirtieth anniversary of the ISAAH, which will be held September 2 鈥 6, 2018 in Prince Edward Island, Canada.  The ISAAH meets every four years and typically attracts 300鈥400 fish health professionals from around the world. This will be only the second time the Conference has been hosted in Canada; the inaugural conference took place in Vancouver in 1988.

Aquaculture is the world鈥檚 fastest-growing sector for animal food production. And Atlantic Canadian companies  are  a prime resource in the evolution, growth and research into innovative solutions to challenges facing the global aquaculture industry. There are more than 30 organizations involved in aquaculture research and development throughout Atlantic Canada and several companies and the Atlantic Veterinary College in Prince Edward Island are helping to lead the way.

Delegates attending ISAAH 2018 will be have the opportunity to join other aquatic health professionals from around the world for scientific workshops, business meetings, keynote and research  presentations. The theme of this year鈥檚  symposium is 鈥淚ntegrating Biotechnology in the Advancement of Aquatic Animal Health鈥.

Early Bird registration rates are available now, and, as there are limited spaces for registered delegates to attend the pre-conference scientific workshops, organizers encourage participants to sign up as soon as possible.

ISAAH 2018 is being hosted by the Fish Health Section of the American Fisheries Society, the Atlantic Veterinary College, and the Prince Edward Island BioAlliance.

海角社区 announces the Panther Subway Athletes of the Week, January 29鈥揊ebruary 4

Every week, 海角社区 Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Rachel Colle and Darcy Ashley, the 海角社区 Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for January 29鈥揊ebruary 4!

Rachel Colle is a third-year forward on the 海角社区 Women鈥檚 Hockey team and a Bachelor of Business Administration student from Toronto, Ontario. The Panthers won back-to-back games over the weekend, defeating St. Thomas University 2鈥1 and Mount Allison 4鈥1. 鈥淩achel had a very strong weekend for us. She scored the shootout winner against STU on Friday night and a goal and assist in our victory over Mount A,鈥 said coach Bruce Donaldson. 鈥淩achel logged a ton of time in both games, especially during the STU game, playing a regular shift and on both the power play and penalty kill.鈥

Darcy Ashley is a fourth-year forward on the 海角社区 Men鈥檚 Hockey team and a Bachelor of Business Administration student from Brooklyn, PEI. The Panthers split a pair of games over the weekend, beating Acadia University 6鈥3 and losing to Saint Mary鈥檚 University 9鈥1. 鈥淒arcy鈥檚 playing strong hockey for us,鈥 said coach Forbes MacPherson. 鈥淗e scored two goals in our Acadia win Friday night. He wears his heart on his sleeve and competes every night. Even in Saturday鈥檚 loss to Saint Mary鈥檚, he was competing every shift.鈥

And don鈥檛 forget! 海角社区 students get into all Panther home games for free. Let鈥檚 fill the stands and make this the best season ever!

AVC hosts International Society for Applied Ethology鈥檚 2018 Congress

The International Society for Applied Ethology鈥檚 (ISAE) 2018 International Congress will take place at the Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC), 海角社区, from July 30 to August 3.

The 700-member ISAE is the leading scientific society for the study of the behaviour and welfare of confined or domesticated animals, including companion, farm, zoo, and managed wild animals. This will be only the second time that the congress will be held in Canada and only the fifth time in North America. Registration is now open at

Since the conference is being held at AVC, it will bring together ethological and veterinary research under the theme, 鈥淓thology for health and welfare,鈥 with a specific session on veterinary aspects of ethology and welfare.

鈥淏oth disciplines conduct research to improve animal welfare and have much to gain by increased communication and discussion,鈥 says Dr. Michael Cockram, Chair of Animal Welfare at AVC and chair of the local organizing committee.

The ISAE was formed in 1966 as the Society for Veterinary Ethology when questions were raised about whether the increased productivity of some farming systems restricted the ability of the animals to express their normal behaviour.

Over the last 50 plus years, the ISAE has facilitated a major expansion of diverse research on applied ethology and has contributed to an increased understanding of animal welfare. This research has had a major impact by influencing important changes in livestock production systems and practices to better meet the behavioural and welfare requirements of the animals.

Research on behavioural motivation has increased understanding of the causation of normal and 鈥渁bnormal鈥 behaviour. Studies on the cognitive abilities and on the feelings and emotions in farm, laboratory, and companion animals have been central in achieving an increased understanding of animal welfare. Studies can show what animals prefer, what they will work to obtain, what they will avoid, and what behavioural and physiological signs are associated with different situations considered to be negative or positive. A current research topic is how to recognise positive emotional states in animals; this will be addressed at the conference under the theme, 鈥減lay behaviour.鈥

The conference will also explore a key issue, the boundary between science and ethics that has to be crossed when ethology is applied to animal welfare. It is in the interpretation of the behavioural responses, studied using rigorous scientific methods, where the knowledge of species-specific biology, human analogy on how humans respond in similar situations, and empathy towards animals has to be integrated to reach ethical judgments on animal welfare.

鈥淎pplied ethology has affected change in many areas of animal welfare,鈥 says Dr. Cockram. 鈥淓xamples include designing housing for chickens that provides more space and meets behavioural needs (nest box for egg laying, dust bath, and perch); increased use of environmental enrichment for confined livestock, laboratory, and zoo animals that has reduced repetitive abnormal behaviours; and changes in veal calf and swine production to provide more space, group housing, and improved diet.鈥

Members of the ISAE provide scientific expertise on committees and working groups that make recommendations on legislation, codes of practice, and guidelines designed to improve animal welfare. For example, they contribute to the National Farm Animal Care Council鈥檚 Codes of Practice by participating in the review of the scientific literature on key animal welfare issues.
 

Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre offers 2018 AVC Winter Webinars

The Sir James Dunn Animal Welfare Centre at the Atlantic Veterinary College invites veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary and AHT students to participate in its 2018 AVC Winter Webinars  with Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD, DACVB. All veterinarians and veterinary technicians will earn one hour of continuing education (CE) per webinar.

Dr. Overall, author of the texts Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Small Animals and Manual of Clinical Behavioral Medicine for Dogs and Cats, and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Veterinary Behaviour: Clinical Applications and Research, will provide key practical information about preventing behaviour problems, which will benefit veterinary professionals, clients, and, above all, patients.

  • Tuesday, February 27, 4:30鈥5:30 pm Atlantic Time (AT): Behavioural and neurodevelopment in kittens: What you have to know to give them the best start and minimize risk.
  • Tuesday, March 6, 4:30鈥5:30 pm AT: Behavioural and neurodevelopment in puppies: What you have to know to give them the best start and minimize risk.
  • Tuesday, March13, 4:30鈥5:30 pm AT: Emergent data in behavioural medicine: 20 findings that will change the way you think and practice.

Registration: $30 each or $75 for 3. There is no charge for veterinary or AHT students.

Registration information is at . Please note the webinars will be live at 4:30鈥5:30 p.m. AT, but registrants may also view the webinars at their convenience via a link they will receive by email after the event has taken place.

海角社区 to provide degree pathway for Holland College Sport and Leisure Management grads

The following is released by the 海角社区 and .

The 海角社区 and Holland College have formalized a degree pathway for graduates of the Holland College Sport and Leisure Management program. Students will study two years at Holland College and two years at 海角社区, earning a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology.

鈥淭his is an exciting new way for the province鈥檚 post-secondary schools to provide a unique learning experience,鈥 said Dr. Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, president and vice-chancellor of 海角社区. 鈥淧roviding a Kinesiology degree pathway for Sport and Leisure Management graduates allows them to expand their career options in exciting directions, including teaching and research. It鈥檚 a perfect partnership with limitless opportunities for students.鈥

鈥淲e are very pleased to strengthen the relationship between our two institutions with the formalization of this pathway,鈥 said Michael O鈥橤rady, vice president of innovation, enterprise and strategic development at Holland College. 鈥淚t gives our graduates another option to complete their education in Prince Edward Island.鈥

海角社区鈥檚 Department of Applied Human Sciences will accept the Sport and Leisure Management diploma courses as transfer credits of up to 60 credit hours to enter the Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology) in the third year. Diploma graduates will be required to have a minimum of 70 per cent average to be admitted, and must complete at least 20 courses (60 credit hours) at 海角社区 to earn their degree.

鈥淎 graduate who demonstrates excellent practical skills and solid academic grounding will be very successful in the workplace,鈥 said Wyatt Inman, instructor of Sport and Leisure Management at Holland College.

鈥淎greements such as this give Island students more options to complete their post-secondary education,鈥 said Dr. Kathy Gottschall-Pass, interim dean of Science at 海角社区.

鈥淭his agreement with 海角社区 is ideal for me. It allows me to stay on the Island to further my education and to maintain relationships and connections I鈥檝e already made in the industry,鈥 said Christopher Williams, who graduated from the Sport and Leisure Management program in the spring of 2017 and entered the Bachelor of Science (Kinesiology) program at 海角社区 the following fall. 鈥淭he agreement provides Island students, and all students who come to the Island, with an opportunity to stay on PEI for the remainder of their schooling, which will hopefully encourage them to stay here beyond graduation.鈥

海角社区 and Holland College have partnered on a number of transfer and articulation agreements to provide degree pathways to graduates of specific college programs. For more information, see the complete list at .

The Sport and Leisure Management program at Holland College has three areas of specialization in the sport, leisure, and recreation industry. For more information about the program, visit , email info@hollandcollege.com, or call 1-800-446-5265.

The 海角社区 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥敽=巧缜 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 海角社区 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Dr. Tim Ogilvie AVC Vet Camp is accepting applications!

Come to the Atlantic Veterinary College this summer for an interactive, fun, and engaging venture into the world of veterinary medicine! At the College鈥檚 annual Dr. Tim Ogilvie AVC Vet Camp, you will learn about animals, meet others who share your love of animals, and participate in fun, educational activities. You鈥檒l get a taste of what being a veterinarian is really like! Junior camps (grades 7鈥9) are scheduled for July 9鈥13 and July 16鈥20; senior camps (grades 10鈥12) take place from July 23鈥27 and July 30鈥揂ugust 3.

For more information and to apply, visit , or call 902-566-0589. Deadline for applications is Friday, March 9, 2018.

Panthers at Home, February 9鈥10

The 海角社区 Men鈥檚 Hockey team digs in at home this weekend for the last two regular home games of the season. Friday evening at 7:00 pm, the Panthers host the Dalhousie Tigers in MacLauchlan Arena. Saturday evening, the action shifts to Charlottetown鈥檚 Eastlink Centre as the Panthers play St. Francis Xavier University. Both games begin at 7:00 pm.

The AUS play-offs begin early next week, so coach Forbes MacPherson says a good showing in these two games is crucial.

鈥淚t is important for our group to get back on track, and finish with a strong final weekend,鈥 said MacPherson. 鈥淲e are playing for positions in the standings, while focusing on the process. Play-offs will start less than a week, and we need to be performing at our highest level.鈥

Friday evening before the game, the Panthers will celebrate their graduating seniors. The team will salute Marcus Power, Brent Andrews, Darcy Ashley, Ryan MacKinnon, Matt Mahalak, and Connor Wilkinson. Friday evening is also Subway Night. Panther fans who buy a sandwich and a drink at any Charlottetown area Subway restaurants between now and game time will be eligible for a free ticket to the game.

Saturday鈥檚 game against St. FX is part of Hockey Day in PEI. Pop by the game early for a free skate with the Panthers and Charlottetown Islanders. Please bring your helmet. The game will feature a rubber puck toss promotion to raise funds for the Easter Seals PEI campaign. Tickets will also go on sale Saturday for the AUS Men鈥檚 Hockey Play-offs. Tickets can be purchased through the Eastlink Centre box office.

Go Panthers Go!

海角社区 Climate Research Lab to tour PEI communities affected by sea-level rise

Researchers from 海角社区鈥檚 Climate Research Lab are travelling across Prince Edward Island over the next month to speak with communities about sea-level rise.

Dr. Adam Fenech, director of the lab, and his team will make presentations to increase understanding and awareness about the impacts of sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and storm surges. They will also discuss tools for adaptation and coastal planning. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions and to discuss what sea-level rise means for them.

The events are open to the public and will run for approximately two hours. Refreshments will be provided. There is no charge to attend. The winter presentations include:

  • Friday, February 16, 4:00 pm鈥6:00 pm: John J. Sark Memorial School, Lennox Island
  • Tuesday, February 20 6:30 pm鈥8:30 pm: The Eagle Nest, North Rustico
  • Thursday, February 22, 6:30 pm鈥8:30 pm: Fire Hall, Tyne Valley
  • Tuesday, March 6, 1:30 pm鈥3:00 pm: Eastern Kings Community Centre, Bothwell

Please RSVP by emailing climate@upei.ca or calling 902-894-2852.

A second set of four presentations will be scheduled this summer.

These workshops are part of the national Educating Coastal Communities About Sea-level Rise (ECoAS) project, which is supported by financial contributions from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the 海角社区 Climate Research Lab, the Mi鈥檏maq Confederacy of PEI, and the Ecology Action Centre. For more information about the project, please visit .

The 海角社区 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥敽=巧缜 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 海角社区 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

海角社区 announces the Panther Subway Athletes of the Week, February 5鈥11

Every week, 海角社区 Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Jenna Pellerin and Kameron Kielly, the 海角社区 Panther Subway Athletes of the Week for February 5鈥11!

Jenna Pellerin is a second-year forward on the 海角社区 Women鈥檚 Hockey team and a Bachelor of Science student from Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Panthers finished the regular season strong over the weekend, defeating Dalhousie University 5鈥2. 鈥淛enna scored two goals, leading us to our win over Dal,鈥 said coach Bruce Donaldson. 鈥淥ne was a shorthanded goal, which was the turning point in the game. Jenna played a strong game on both ends of the rink, skated well, and battled through a very physical game.鈥

Kameron Kielly is a first-year forward on the 海角社区 Men鈥檚 Hockey team and a Bachelor of Business Administration student from Charlottetown. The Panthers had an outstanding weekend at home, ending the regular season with wins over Dalhousie and St. Francis Xavier University. Kielly scored three goals and made three assists, finishing his rookie season with a remarkable 42 points. 鈥淜am had a real good weekend,鈥 said coach Forbes MacPherson. 鈥淗e can be very dangerous offensively. Kam was able to take advantage of opportunities and performed extremely well for us.鈥

Playoff tickets are available for purchase at the Eastlink Centre and MacLauchlan Arena Box Offices.

Go Panthers Go!

PLAYOFF PREVIEW: Underdog Panthers ride win streak into quarter-final matchup against St. Thomas

By Thomas Becker,

February has been good for the 海角社区 Panthers. In fact you can say it鈥檚 been perfect for them. The women鈥檚 hockey team is peaking at the right time and has gained some much-needed confidence, as they get set for the playoffs and a quarter-final date with the St. Thomas Tommies.

The Island squad ended the regular season with a perfect 3-0 record this month, while outscoring their opponents 11-4, including a 2-1 shootout win over their first round foe.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檝e been striving for all year is to get a little bit of consistency in our play and get our confidence back,鈥 said head coach Bruce Donaldson. 鈥淚t sets a standard of what we鈥檙e trying to achieve moving forward, so it鈥檚 nice going in with three consecutive wins.鈥

Donaldson attributes the team鈥檚 recent success to better special teams play. In the last three games, 海角社区鈥檚 power play unit scored three times and bumped their power play percentage to 18.3, which ranked third in the seven-team circuit. Meanwhile, their penalty-kill unit hasn鈥檛 allowed a goal in those games and scored shorthanded on two occasions.

鈥淥ur special teams stats have been much better, especially on the penalty-kill side,鈥 Donaldson said. 鈥淥ur goals against have dropped about a goal a game, so defensively we鈥檝e tightened up.鈥

It鈥檚 been a sort-of role reversal for 海角社区. Last season, the fourth-seeded Panthers limped into a quarter-final matchup against Moncton (who they played close with all season long) as the favourites, but got swept in two games. This year, the sixth-seeded Panthers come in as the underdogs riding a season-high three-game win streak looking to eliminate the Tommies, who they played competitively throughout the year.

鈥淭he entire year has been a polar opposite to last year,鈥 Donaldson said. 鈥淏ut I keep saying it鈥檚 not how you start, it鈥檚 how you finish. If you can grow with that in mind, hopefully good things will come.鈥

St. Thomas won the season series 3-1, but aside from an October 29 lopsided 6-0 loss, 海角社区 has played them very tough. Two of the last three games between the two squads went into overtime, while the Tommies took the other 3-1.

鈥淥ver my entire five years, St. Thomas has been the one team I鈥檝e let get into my head,鈥 said team captain Emma Martin. 鈥淏ut we鈥檝e learned that we can鈥檛 let them knock us around. We鈥檙e just as strong, we鈥檙e faster and we know can compete with them.鈥

The Panthers (7-10-7) have shown all season long that they can contend with the best. And while their 1-7 overtime record is little to be desired, they鈥檝e demonstrated in those games that they have what it takes to stand tall against the league鈥檚 cream of the crop. The key now is finding that killer instinct when it matters most. And Martin believes they鈥檝e found it.

鈥淲e have to focus on the little things and to be confident,鈥 Martin said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something we lacked in the beginning of the year. But I think we turned that around.鈥

St. Thomas (12-8-4) doesn鈥檛 give up much and allowed just 59 goals during the campaign, so the Panthers have to be patient in their approach and capitalize on the opportunities when they come.

To counteract the Tommies鈥 stifling defence, Donaldson has been tinkering with his lineup and may have found the winning formula, especially if their recent hot streak is any indication.

鈥淲e鈥檙e starting to get good distribution from all our lines, which is important to have against their sound defence,鈥 he said.

While Donaldson will be leaning on a line that consists of Rachel Colle, who led the team with 16 points (12 goals and four assists) and rookie Leah Byrne (five goals and eight assists) to deliver a scoring punch, he believes his trio of sophomore forwards鈥擲ydnee Baker, Maria Clinton and Faith Steeves (a combined 25 points)鈥攃ould turn their seasons around in a big way and provide some heroics in the playoffs.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e all very talented and will still get their opportunities,鈥 Donaldson said. 鈥淭hey just need to stop putting so much pressure on the end result and just worry about the process of getting there. If they do that, they鈥檙e going to get rewarded.鈥

With a lot at stake now and in the near future, it鈥檚 time for the Panthers to show what they鈥檙e made of.

鈥淲e know we鈥檙e going to be hosting the national championship in 2019 and 2020 and we feel it鈥檚 time for us to put our best 60 minutes together.鈥