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Dr. Steven Winton, VMD, will address the Lycoming College and Williamsport communities on how to keep pets safe from Lyme disease during his talk, “Lyme Disease in Pets.” The presentation, part of Lycoming College’s Lyme Symposium, will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. in Heim, Room G-11, on the Lycoming College campus. The event is free and open to the public.
The Lyme Symposium features speakers that help to keep local residents safe as they continue engaging in outdoor fall activities, such as athletics and hunting, and is supported in part by the Frederick E. and Ann A. Blumer Endowment Fund.
Winton will offer advice on how to best protect family pets from ticks, which can be damaging to the human-animal bond, particularly when ticks hitch a ride on a pet. Not only can they make pets extremely uncomfortable, ticks pose grave health risks to their human families. Winton will also educate attendees on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of Lyme disease in pets after they’ve already been affected.
“Protecting ourselves and our families from Lyme disease is only half the battle — many families include pets that need different protections,” said Michelle Briggs, Ph.D., associate professor of biology at Lycoming College and Lyme Symposium chair. “We are grateful to have Dr. Winton lead this important discussion, and hope that members of the Williamsport community take advantage of this opportunity to gather critical information on preventative strategies that can help keep beloved pets safe.”
Winton was raised near Carlisle, Pa., and graduated from Mansfield University with a degree in biology. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, and has been practicing in Williamsport for twenty years. He has worked as a naturalist for the Audubon Society and as a wildlife rehabilitator. His interests include avian and exotic medicine, as well as treating traditional family pets. Winton enjoys most outdoor sports and can be found camping, canoeing and hiking. He has five children and spends most of his free time taking care of his small farm in Loyalsock, Pa.
Upcoming speakers for the Lyme Symposium include Drs. Harold Smith, M.D., and Francis M. Powers Jr., M.D., will discuss “Integrative Medicine Treatment for Lyme Disease;” and Dr. Brian Schwartz, M.D., M.S., will talk about “Lyme Disease: Epidemiologic & Clinical Overview; and Our Research.” Previous speakers included Thomas Mather, Ph.D., of the Vector-Borne Disease & TickEncounter Resource Center. More information on Lycoming College’s Lyme Symposium is available at http://www.lycoming.edu/biology/lyme-symposium.aspx.