IVSA Congress - Poland

Submitted by Leanne Jankelunas from Cornell University

From July 16th to July 27th, 2018, myself and 24 other veterinary students from the United States attended the International Veterinary Student Association (IVSA) Congress in Kraków, Poland. The International Veterinary Student Association is an organization that represents over 30,000 veterinary students from more than 50 veterinary schools in over 60 countries. All members of SAVMA automatically gain IVSA membership. The IVSA serves to facilitate international student exchanges between different veterinary schools while, also, working to improve veterinary education, promote student wellness, and work to advance veterinary medicine on a global scale.

The two-week event involved many activities including lectures, wet labs, electing the organization’s officials for the 2018-2019 academic year, updating the organization's bylaws, wellness activities, and exploration of Kraków, Poland and the surrounding area. The opening day involved exploring the city of Kraków and ‘International Stands’ where students shared information about their respective schools with the intent to enable international student exchanges between different schools. Later that day there was the ‘cultural evening’; an event where students had the chance to experience food and beverages from 33 countries with representatives at the event.

There were several interesting lectures throughout the week on various topics in veterinary medicine including nutrition for dogs and cats, biosecurity on the dairy farms, surgical techniques, autogenous vaccines for preventing poultry and swine diseases, and aquatic veterinary medicine. Furthermore, the Congress theme was Wellness. To promote this, the congress organizing committee held lectures on “Mind-Body balance” and organized activities to promote wellness such as yoga, music, kickboxing, self-defense classes, meditation, drawing and many evening parties.

Many labs were also held on equine, bovine, swine, companion animal, exotic, and bee medicine. I attended the bee lab where we learned honeybees husbandry techniques, common diseases and treatment options for bees, how ihoney is harvested, and, also, had a chance to perform a bee dissection. The main bee diseases that were discussed were American Foulbrood and European Foulbrood. The “bee group” also had a chance to visit an apiary and learn how to properly interact with a beehive.

Moreover, the delegates had a chance to explore and learn about the history of Poland through visits to the many locations in the city of Kraków, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and Zakopane. Moreover, the attendees had a chance to learn about the legend of Kraków’s dragon, explore Wawel Castle, and learn of the many pivotal events that the people of Kraków were a part of throughout history. The Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO heritage site, was spectacular. Inside the mine, there were beautiful statues and fixtures made completely out of salt including a ‘salt chapel’ and many ‘salt chandeliers.’ The tour guides explained that during the mine's heyday, the salt was considered Polish gold because of its equivalence of value to gold in old times. The most somber part of the experience was the groups visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau. There is no adequate way to describe the sadness experienced when visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau; however, the organizing committee did an excellent job providing space for the delegates to process the experience. One of the most amazing experiences in Poland was the visit to the Tatra Mountains, a mountain range that spans the border between Poland and Slovakia. The views were breathtaking and this was a great break from the General Assembly meetings that occurred throughout the two-week event.

The general assembly meetings involved minor updates to policies, the decision to recognize the Standing Committee on Wellness, and the election of all IVSA global officials besides the IVSA president. The IVSA President is annually elected at the winter symposium held in South Korea in January 2019. The general assembly also involved a presentation informing students of the next Congress to be held in Croatia in 2019. Elections also occurred for the 68th symposium which was chosen to be held in Morocco. There were no proposals for the location of the 69th Congress. Additionally, one member from SAVMA, Jackie St. Croix, was elected to the IVSA Global board as Secretary-General. Jackie, a third-year veterinary student at Louisiana State University, was previously the Chair of the Standing Committee of Wellness.

Reflecting on my time at the Congress this past summer, I can say it was a great experience where I made lasting global friendships and became inspired to become involved in global-organized veterinary medicine. I can say without a doubt I think every student in SAVMA should attempt to take advantage of this great opportunity as it will broaden your network and revise your perceptions about veterinary medicine. I sincerely thank the IVEC Scholarship Committee for giving me this amazing opportunity.

The 2018 SAVMA 67th IVSA Congress Delegates

Explore Your Wild Side

These awesome photos were sent in by Skylare Smith from North Carolina State University!

 

Winn and AAFP Announce 2019 Scholarship Recipients to Support Future of Feline Medicine and Welfare

WINN FELINE FOUNDATION AND THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF FELINE PRACTITIONERS ANNOUNCE 2019 JOINT SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Awards support the success of veterinary students who focus on feline clinical practice and research science that are vital to the future of feline medicine and welfare

[Wyckoff, NJ; Hillsborough, NJ; May 7, 2019] Winn Feline Foundation (Winn) and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) are proud to announce the two recipients of the 2019 joint scholarships for clinical practice and clinical research scientist. Both organizations believe in a future where the advancement of feline medicine is commonplace across veterinary practices. Toward that vision, they support veterinary students who focus on feline clinical practice and research science, which are vital to feline health and welfare.

This year’s recipients show exceptional promise: Laurel Krause, a junior at Colorado State University, was awarded the clinical research scientist scholarship; Summer Marsh, a senior at Colorado State University, was awarded the clinical practice scholarship.

Ms. Krause is planning to complete a small animal rotating internship in Southern California and intends to specialize in small animal internal medicine with special interest in geriatric feline medicine and endoscopy. She says, “Cats are the entire package: cute, goofy, soft, sweet, independent, loyal…the list goes on! My life is much richer with my feline friends. This award is a true honor and encourages me to continue pursuing excellence in feline medicine. As a student, this support from the feline practitioner community welcomes me to the profession and means that throughout my career, I will work to give back much more than I have been given.”

Ms. Marsh has always dreamed of working with cats and has held many community events in support of feline care. After graduation, she will work for a small animal veterinarian at Firgrove Veterinary Hospital in Puyallup, WA, where she will continue her passion of advocating for cats. She says she loves cats “because every cat is a different puzzle. Cats are so intelligent, and I love forming a connection with them and showing them trust and safety in going to the vet. I often speak to them in ‘meow’ language, and I am endlessly intrigued by their strong, diverse personalities. This award is a huge honor to me because I have devoted so much of my heart to caring for cats, and I am thankful that I will continue to help cats every day of my career.”

“Both Laurel and Summer have demonstrated outstanding leadership skills that have led to many early accomplishments; their zealous pursuit of understanding the unique needs of cats through science will open many doors to them as veterinarians and to the welfare of cats. We aim to support and highlight their enthusiasm for feline medicine so that others will continue on the same path,” said Julie Legred, Executive Director of Winn.

In 2016, the Boards of Directors of both Winn and the AAFP approved the development and implementation of a joint scholarship offered by the two leading feline-dedicated organizations. After an unprecedented number of applicants and positive feedback from veterinary education programs, the boards decided to continue offering this opportunity, expanding the selection to two recipients in the categories of clinical practice and clinical research scientist. The application process prompts students to answer two essay questions explaining their specific interest and background in feline health and welfare, as well as their plans for future participation in feline medicine. Recipients of the $2,500 scholarships are selected based on individual academic achievement, strong leadership, and deep dedication to the study of feline medicine, health, and welfare. For more information, visit:catvets.com.

“We are all impressed by the lifelong passion both Laurel and Summer have shown for cats. This is apparent even in the early stages of their careers where their focus and dedication on advancing feline health and welfare is remarkable,” said Heather O’Steen, CAE and Chief Executive Officer of the AAFP. She continues, “Their passion for clinical research and clinical practice, respectively, has already led to phenomenal success. We’re excited about what they will bring to the future of feline medicine and research.”

The AAFP and Winn are both dedicated to advancing and enhancing standards in feline care. AAFP has numerous resources for veterinary students, such as discounts to the AAFP Annual Conference, and practical resources housed in the Student Center on its website, which includes complimentary webinars and a toolkit for veterinary students. The toolkit contains materials to help veterinary students embrace a feline perspective and obtain further knowledge about the standards needed to elevate care for cats. Winn also offers various educational resources on its website, including the Cat Health News Blog, educational articles, podcasts, videos, and an annual continuing educational symposium. Information regarding research grant awards and cat health study findings are also available on the website or through subscribing to the monthly e-newsletter. Other educational opportunities from Winn and the AAFP can also be found on each website.

Norman's Hops Hopped IPA

Kellie Riper from Oregon State University created these labels to go on a batch of Hazy IPA bottles. She took her favorite photo of her always-hungry rabbit, Norman, and used a photoshop program to add hop vines. She then made the photo look like a painting and created the label!

Disclaimer: Hops are probably not great for rabbits to eat--he's eating cilantro in the original photo!

Mother’s Day Takes on New Meaning with Vet Candy

Veterinary moms are on a mission to make life easier for other working vet moms

Montclair, New Jersey: Working moms face serious challenges every day of their lives. They must balance work with their home life, which often leaves them with little time for their personal interests. In addition, they are typically the primary caregiver for children and that can leave them stressed out and exhausted.

Vet Candy is here to help! Vet Candy is an innovative digital hub created by a group of veterinary and expert professionals – most of them are working moms. The idea is to establish a content delivery system that will make it easier for working veterinary professionals to be effective at work and at the same time have time for their children and family.

Vet Candy features clinical updates, scientific news, and expert tips, together with the latest lifestyle and health trends. It is a comprehensive source for the busy veterinary professional.

"As a mother, wife, and hospital owner, I know how precious each minute of my day is," said Dr. Kathryn Primm, Vet Candy advisor. "The goal of Vet Candy is to make our busy lives easier, by providing updated news and information that is required in our profession."

There is currently too much information for professionals to absorb, which can be frustrating. Vet Candy’s unique approach to the often-overwhelming influx of news is refreshing. They provide the latest information for working professionals looking to stay on top of the latest scientific and clinical news, who may not have enough time or energy to keep up. 

“Recent studies show that veterinary professionals, especially those that are female, find their career highly stressful,” says Julie Legred, CVT, former executive director of National Association of Veterinary Technicians of America and Vet Candy advisor, “lack of work life balance can make them at risk for depression. At Vet Candy, we hope to help veterinary professionals balance a career and their busy personal life, with expert tips ranging from healthy living to parenting- all the support we as mothers need to know and all in one place.”

Vet Candy provides a free subscription based weekly email featuring clinical updates, scientific news, and lifestyle tips. Content is also shared on Vet Candy’s social channels and through an app that is available for free on i-Tunes.  

“Veterinary medicine is dominated by women, with more than 60% of veterinary professionals being women and a good majority of them are also moms.” says Dr.  Marta Sanchez-Emden, Vet Candy contributor, mom of two, and owner of Animal Health and Rehab Center in Miami, Florida, “The pressure working moms have on them is real, we hope to take some of that pressure off, so they can enjoy their lives.”

Vet Candy aims to make life easier for the busy veterinary professional. Through well-researched content, inspirational profiles, together with the latest scientific news and trends, the site functions as an all-inclusive and informative lens into the world of veterinary medicine.

Vet Candy provides a free subscription based weekly email featuring clinical updates, scientific news, and lifestyle tips. Content is also shared on Vet Candy’s social channels and through an app that is available for free on iTunes.

Vet Candy prides itself in providing easy access to entertaining, trusted, and expert information. Vet Candy’s expert panel of contributors includes a certified career coach, Win Sheffield, Bryan Gum, a certified financial planner, Caitlin Kiarie, a registered nutritionist, and Dr. Dara Querimit, a licensed clinical psychologist.

Veterinary professionals are encouraged to sign up free at myvetcandy, download the Vet Candy app on i-Tunes, and follow @myvetcandy on social.