MSc Student – Epidemiology & One Health

Valentina is a master’s student in the Department of Population Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College. Her current thesis uses a mixed-methods approach to examine the motivations and practices related to international dog rescues in Canada.

Research Interests

Infectious and zoonotic diseases, companion animal health, veterinary public health, climate change, One Health

Current Projects

Travelling Fido: Perceptions, motivations, and practices related to international dog rescues

The increasing trend of canine importation in Canada has been scrutinized by the veterinary and public health sectors due to infectious disease risks, such as rabies. This has prompted the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to implement a ban on commercial dog imports from high-rabies-risk countries in 2022. However, while this measure addresses public health concerns, it does not consider the human-dog bond, animal welfare, and the sociocultural factors that drive canine importation.

The objectives of this study are to (1) understand the motivations and perceptions behind canine importation; (2) identify sociocultural drivers; and (3) analyze the bond between adopters and imported dogs.

Identification of Culicoides species found in selected areas of Ontario from June-September 2022

In Canada, there are many vector-borne diseases of both medical and veterinary importance propagated by arthropod vectors, such as Culicoides midges. The current status of Culicoides spp. is unknown, and further systematic sampling of Culicoides populations is needed to assess the overall risk to animal health.

This study aims to describe the spatial and temporal patterns of Culicoides spp. in select areas of Ontario.

Media and Outreach

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) Treatments and Where to Find Them – Ontario Animal Health Network Veterinary Podcasts

Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) occurs as a result of a viral mutation in cats infected with feline coronavirus. For decades, FIP has been a devastating condition in cats with an extremely high (95%) mortality rate and no reliable treatment options. A few years ago it was discovered that the antiviral drugs remdesivir and GS-441524 are highly effective for treating FIP, but these drugs are very expensive and there was no legal means of accessing them in Canada or the US – until now! As of 2024, Canadian veterinarians can access these life-saving drugs through an Emergency Drug Release (EDR). As these drugs and the process to access them are new to many Ontario veterinarians, the Ontario Animal Health Network is thrilled to have Dr. Kelly St. Denis with us to walk us through some of the ins and outs of these new treatment options. Veterinarians can find the links discussed in the podcast on the OAHN website here (OAHN login required). Don’t have an OAHN login? Veterinarians and RVTs can sign up for free in one step. UPDATE (November 2024): Please note new information on availability of GS-441524 in Canada without an EDR – see https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/2024/11/articles/animals/cats/updated-fip-drug-access-canada/ for details.

Valentina Gonzalez Rodriguez, BScH