Externs on the Hill

Submitted by Cristina Blanco, University of Minnesota

Meeting with North Carolina Representative Don Davis to discuss agriculture.

As the American Veterinary Medical Association Government Relations Extern for Spring 2024, I have had the amazing opportunity to watch veterinary medicine and policy merge to work toward the betterment of animals and humans throughout our country.

So far, I have been able to meet many veterinarians who work on Capitol Hill and within a variety of federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Many also had experience as fellows for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Each of these veterinarians had a unique perspective on how their medical training relates to important policy work. For example, I met with veterinarians at USAID who  utilize their training toward a multisystem approach to global health. Their veterinary background is incredibly important in addressing global food shortages. Each day, more than 800 million people across the world lack enough food to eat. Their work with Feed the Future Innovation Labs joins USAID with universities to address global agriculture and food security issues. By understanding the details and importance of food animal production systems, veterinarians play a pivotal role in providing the global community with a safe protein source. 

I also had the wonderful opportunity to watch the floor proceedings of the House of Representatives.  These proceedings included discussions involving a wide range of bills from national security to wildlife conservation.  Each representative spoke for their constituents, supporting or disagreeing with bills. Some bills, like the Explore Act that expands outdoor recreation opportunities, were supported by representatives from across the United States.  

With the policy experts at the AVMA, I was able to meet with congressional offices to discuss bills that are important to the veterinary profession. These include the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act (H.R. 4355/ S.2829), which allows for the recruitment and retention of rural veterinarians, and the Healthy Dog Importation Act (H.R. 1184/ S. 502), which strengthens guidelines for the safe importation of dogs to prevent infectious disease. I was also able to help advocate for federal funding that would increase veterinary services in underserved areas by aiding veterinarians with educational loan debt through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program and Veterinary Services Grant Program. The AVMA is also working to secure additional funding for the National Wildlife Health Center in Wisconsin. 

By discussing these issues with congressional staff, we were able to communicate the veterinary perspective on public policy that directly impacts the profession. It has truly been an amazing experience to see how policy and veterinary medicine merge in the world of advocacy.  

Scholarship Opportunity

Applications Open for the 2024 WSAVA Michael J. Day Scholarship  

Veterinary students with an interest in companion animal infectious disease, clinical vaccinology or immunology encouraged to apply  

The Scholarship provides financial assistance towards a research project into an aspect of small companion animal infectious disease, clinical vaccinology or immunology. All veterinary students studying towards a registerable veterinary degree in an accredited veterinary establishment in a country in which the WSAVA has a member association are eligible to apply for the Scholarship. Full details and guidance on the application process, together with eligibility criteria are available here: https://wsava.org/resources/michael-j-day-scholarship/

The deadline for applications for the 2024 Michael J. Day Scholarship is July 31, 2024. The successful Scholar will be informed by the end of October 2024. Their research project is expected to be conducted between January and September 2025. Within three months of completion, the Scholar will be expected to provide a 1,500-word report on their findings. They will also be invited to present or publish their findings in English, as a poster or abstract, during WSAVA World Congress.

Student Experience

After getting into vet school they brought my experience to a whole new level as the doctors there begin to mentor me in beginning surgeries with shelter dogs. They have taught me how to perform these surgeries and given me the opportunity to further my knowledge inside and out. I have performed multiple surgeries now under their watch and the passion I have for vet med has only bloomed more for me. I guess in the beginning this was considered a job and turned into more of an externship. But regardless for me it has been the opportunity of a lifetime because it’s helped shape me into the person I am today. Someone that steps out of their comfort zone and into the light with a scalpel blade. Daunting, yes but I couldn’t have asked for a better experience that has only made me drive more towards the dream that I’ve always wanted. Not only that but along the way I have gained a second family that has been so supportive of me. I’ve learned to work under circumstances that are unimaginable. Some of these experiences I didn’t realize how important they were to me until this opportunity showed me that I am meant to be a veterinarian because that’s where my passion lies with no doubt. This has been a very meaningful part of my veterinary experience and one that I hope to continue in the future.

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Cutest Pet

Mia the Netherland Dwarf Submitted by Cian Pennell, Atlantic Veterinary College