By Jonathan M. Levine, DVM, DACVIM, Dean, University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine
When Roxy arrived in April 2025 at UW Veterinary Care’s (UWVC) emergency department, she had a history of coughing, decreased energy level, and lack of appetite. The King Charles Cavalier Spaniel was quickly referred to the hospital’s cardiology department. Listening to the five-month-old pup’s heart and lungs, a team led by Dr. Heidi Kellihan, section head of cardiology at UWVC, became worried Roxy might have a congenital heart disease. She was exhibiting complications of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)—a heart defect that occurs when a blood vessel doesn’t close at birth—and was experiencing fluid buildup in her lungs.
The most effective way to treat PDA is to close it, meaning Roxy faced surgery. But at just seven pounds, she wasn’t a good candidate for the hospital’s usual treatment. Instead of what would have historically been an open chest surgery, the teddy bear-like puppy was treated using a new, minimally invasive procedure that placed a small plug in one of her heart vessels. To do so, Kellihan made a tiny nick in Roxy’s skin and completed the whole procedure through it. It was just the fifth time UWVC attempted the surgery. Roxy went home without any sutures and recovered well.
Investments in Innovation
Roxy’s surgery was made possible, in part, by the Ryley Clinical Innovation Fund, which covered about two-thirds of the cost of the new procedure. Established in January 2025 by UW alumni Gary Schwager and Gabrielle Banick, the fund supports innovative clinical care at UWVC by funding learning opportunities for hospital clinicians—including mastering leading-edge technologies and travel to study new surgeries. It also helps cover the costs of new procedures and the purchase of state-of-the-art equipment.
The UW School of Veterinary Medicine (UW SVM) has a history of innovative clinical care and translational research that advances new diagnostic and treatment tools to benefit both animals and humans. The Ryley Fund bolsters UW SVM’s and UWVC’s ability to develop new treatments and share new knowledge while delivering leading-edge care. “For over four decades, UW SVM has been recognized as a global leader in veterinary innovation,” says Starr Cameron, assistant dean for clinical and translational research at UW SVM. “The close integration between our teaching hospital and research facilities fuels a culture of collaboration that drives excellence in patient care.”
The Ryley Clinical Innovation Fund was also recently tapped to purchase specialized equipment to better treat patients with nasal disease and to offer a novel orthopedic surgery for dogs. Investments in new tools and technologies, as well as in ongoing clinical education, reflect UW SVM’s and UWVC’s commitment to continuous innovation while our team works to fulfill the mission of advancing animal and human health with science and compassion.