Spring 2019 EPDC Extracurricular Grant Awardees - Day 2

The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) club at Iowa State University held their annual exotics handling wet lab this past spring, giving students the opportunity to gain experience with a variety of laboratory animal species not emphasized in the core curriculum. This wet lab included both a lecture component that emphasized safe and stress-free animal handling as well as a hands-on component which gave students the chance to handle, perform physical exams on, draw blood from, practice injection techniques with, and euthanize laboratory animal species including gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Twelve students participated and were supervised by Laboratory Animal Resources veterinarians as they worked in groups of three to perform the wet lab activities, giving all students ample hands-on experience and mentorship. Participants included members of multiple clubs outside of ASLAP and each academic year was represented, fulfilling this wet lab’s goal of bringing a taste of laboratory animal medicine to a wider audience. Even students without a passion for laboratory animal medicine appreciated the chance to practice physical exams and refine their clinical skills with species they rarely have a chance to handle. 

Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) is a student-run, non-profit organization at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. PAWS provides free basic veterinary care to pets of Alachua County residents. Our clientele is comprised of terminally ill and disabled residents of our community demonstrating financial need. PAWS hosts monthly clinics at the UF Small Animal Hospital and sees patients outside of the monthly clinic on an as-needed basis. The SAVMA Spring Extracurricular Grant will help support one of our monthly clinics. Our monthly clinics serve on average 10 -12 patients for appointments. At our clinics, first and second year veterinary students serve as technicians and they are paired with third and fourth year students who serve as clinicians. These clinics provide invaluable, hands-on clinical experience to students, and practical application of what we are learning in the classroom. Students are also able to practice diagnostic skills that entail venipuncture, blood smears, urinalysis, and cytology. PAWS also offers dentals, mass removals, and other services to our patients as needed. This is great experience for the students, and all at no cost to the owner.