Education and Professional Development Committee fall grant winner

The University of Illinois Wildlife Medical Clinic was awarded an EPDC fall grant. Below is a summary of the event that the grant helped to fund

The Wildlife Medical Clinic (WMC) at theUniversity of Illinois with the help of a SAVMA EPDC grant hosted two lectureson conservation medicine with Dr. LoraKim Joyner. Dr. Joyner is a veterinarianwith a 30+ year career working to help wild bird populations thrive, especiallyin Central America. She uniquely brings another perspective to conservationwork, that of non-violent communication, spirituality, and compassion. She consultsin conservation and the human dimensions of conservation throughout LatinAmerica. She directs Lafeber Conservation and One Earth Conservation,overseeing projects in Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. She is also acertified trainer in nonviolent communication and has served as a UnitarianUniversalist minister for 10 years.

Dr. Joyner's lecture topics were "The Human Dimension ofConservation" and "Compassionate Conservation - Ethics and Welfare inthe Field." Both lectures had a full audience (200+ people) consisting ofmembers from our club, the general vet school population, pre-veterinarystudents, clinicians, and even community members. Dr. Joyner’s discussionsoffered audience members a chance to explore the world of conservation medicineand consider the ethical dilemmas that are encountered in such a field.

The Wildlife Medical Clinic is a non-profit organization that accepts ill,injured, or orphaned wildlife (except for skunks and bats) 24 hours a day, 7days a week. Upon presentation, the animals are triaged and then assigned to ateam of 10-12 volunteers who are responsible for treating the patient. Individualanimal care is provided for by WMC volunteers, comprised primarily ofveterinary students in their first three years of the veterinary schoolcurriculum.  Approximately 120 volunteers each semester work in treatmentteams and are responsible for on-call duty to receive wild animals presented tothe WMC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We are very thankful for the SAVMA grant we received! Without SAVMA's contributionwe would not have been able to host Dr. Joyner and hear her insightful lectures!


Thanks again!