CE Dinner | Two Hours RACE Approved
Thursday, February 26, 2026
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.

Location
Bluewater Waterfront Grill
1st Floor South Cafe
4 Marina Street
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina 28480

Event Timeline
6:30 PM Arrival and networking
Dinner served prior to the start of the CE program
7:00 PM CE program begins
9:00 PM Program concludes

Dinner
Appetizers will be available during arrival and networking. A buffet dinner will be served following opening remarks and prior to the start of the CE program. Dessert will be served later in the evening. Menu details will be shared closer to the event.

CE Information
Two hours of RACE approved continuing education.

NCVMA and Purina are hosting a two hour RACE approved CE dinner in the Wilmington area featuring Callie Harris, DVM.

Speaker
Callie Harris, DVM
Small Animal Veterinarian
Senior Veterinary Communications Manager, Purina
Instagram: @dr.callieh

Dr. Callie Harris is a 2008 graduate of Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a one year rotating small animal internship at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas in Cary, North Carolina and practiced emergency medicine in high volume specialty hospitals in Metro Atlanta before joining Nestle Purina PetCare in 2016.

In her current role as Senior Veterinary Communications Manager, Dr. Harris provides technical education and support for veterinary teaching hospitals and Purina’s veterinary sales division throughout the Southeast. She also collaborates with Purina Brand and Public Relations through media and outreach initiatives.

Planned Topics
Nutritional Management of Canine and Feline Gastrointestinal Conditions

The gastrointestinal tract is a complex system susceptible to many disease processes that may improve with appropriate dietary management. This presentation provides an overview of gastrointestinal disease, common clinical presentations, and dietary interventions best suited for each case. Emphasis is placed on diarrhea as a frequent symptom and key nutrients in GI diets, including dietary fat, carbohydrates, fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, colostrum, and protein.

Probiotic Therapy: The Gut and Beyond

Probiotics are live bacterial supplements that beneficially affect the host animal by modifying the intestinal microbial balance. This balance plays a role in immune regulation, gastrointestinal health, and may influence behavior through the gut brain axis. This session reviews characteristics of safe and effective probiotics and explains when and how to use them. Research is presented demonstrating how appropriate probiotic supplementation can improve immune function, resolve gastrointestinal disease, and alleviate clinical signs of canine anxiety.

Who Can Attend

Open to NCVMA members.

Presented in Partnership With Purina

For additional information about Purina programs and resources, connect with:

Greg Wilcox
Senior Purina Veterinary Consultant
Eastern North Carolina
Gregory.Wilcox@purina.nestle.com
919.795.9820