Caption This Contest

Caption submitted by John Weigand, Washington State University

Photo submitted by Samantha Lund, Western University of Health Sciences

"A rootin-tootin, butt-scootin, rawhide-lootin, cowboy-suitin good boy"

AVMA Government Relations Externship: Marie Cozzarelli

Getting Lost on the Metro and in Vet Med
By Marie Cozzarelli, Mississippi State University

The second week of my externship with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s DC office was filled with meetings from veterinarians working in public policy. Throughout my time in veterinary school, the focus is preparing veterinarians that plan on going into clinical practice. Refining your ability to manage pancreatitis or efficiently spay a dog or detect a heart murmur are skills most fourth year students are trying to soak up with only two months left until graduation. Meanwhile, I am getting lost on the metro and meeting every veterinarian involved in policy I can. And I love it. In the clinical setting, I can only treat one animal at a time, but in policy I can create a lasting impact that might prevent the disease from needing to be treated in the first place. 

I did not realize how many different jobs a veterinarian could do outside the clinical setting. With the U.S. House of Representatives being out of session this week, a different genre of meetings filled my calendar. This week I met with veterinarians working with United States Agency for International Development, National Institute of Health, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and more! Yes, it is a lot of acronyms, but luckily vet school prepared me for that (I’m looking at you PTE, HCM, and GDV). Meeting with these veterinarians made me realize all the skills I learned in veterinary school I developed unknowingly. As veterinarians we are trained to negotiate, communicate, budget, compartmentalize, and how to use our instincts when responding to emergency situations. Veterinarians working in the government or other non-traditional roles have taken these transferable skills and built upon them. Other skills needed to work in this field include strong writing skills. Science communications in the form of writing and speaking is essential to be an effective advocate of important public health, food security, and food safety issues. 

Another large portion of my week was spent following up with veterinarians across the United States to gauge their interest in advocating for veterinary issues with their state representatives. There is a strength in numbers when it comes to advocating for what our profession needs moving forward. So, while sending letters and making calls to your local representative may feel like a small drop in the pool, it is very meaningful when we all pitch in. This weekend I am going to take a trip out to explore the US National Arboretum and spend some time wandering around! 

Creative Corner

Submitted by Laurel Dhority, Louisiana State University

"Does This Artwork Make My Ears Look Big?"

Cutest Pet

Submitted by Ashley Cubb, Texas A&M University

"Louie in a Blue Bonnet"

Foot in Mouth Disease

Submitted by Meg Togher, Royal Veterinary College

"When you realize how deep you are into your degree"