Externs on the Hill

Submitted by Mason Yunk, South Dakota State University

For the duration of my externship, I’ve gotten the opportunity to enrich myself into DC culture. Coming from a rural Midwestern background there is a good deal of mystery surrounding the inner workings of the government. Although I always had a strong interest, picking a career in veterinary medicine I did not expect to have much involvement with it. Fortunately, I was introduced to a wonderful mentor in my first year of veterinary school, Dr. Jennifer Stevens, who was able to show me the influence government can have on animal health. My introduction to the AVMA and their government relations division opened my eyes to a new role veterinarians can play. 

During my time with the AVMA I was able to closely follow the federal lobbyists and the positions we were tracking. H.R. 1266 Combating Illicit Xylazine Act and S. 1751 STOP Screwworms Act were two issues I was able to work with the most. It was a great experience to witness firsthand how the lobbyists at the AVMA interact with the different staffs of congress to help advocate for our issues. Due to a current lack of veterinarians in congress it remains up to us to be at the forefront of veterinary knowledge coming to the hill. This was evident when attending a happy hour to meet the staff of Rep. Pettersen where we were able to briefly discuss the similar backgrounds, we had working with animals growing up. This helped to connect us on the Xylazine issue and educate a little more about the issues we are trying to push for. 

We arrived in June during a very tumultuous time within our government. Luckily for us, Congress was fully in session. Observing the various committee hearings was very fascinating to see how the different parties interact with one another. The multiple rounds of questioning helps to slowly but surely build up the framework of a bill to represent all parties as best as possible. Monitoring all the new legislation and evaluating its relation to veterinary medicine was an opportunity we had during the externship. Although the news was often filled with very pressing topics on immigration and foreign relations, we were still able to make solid progress with the issues we were trying to advocate. Most recently we were able to see the funding approved to erect two New World Screwworm rearing facilities in an attempt to halt the pest’s progression toward the U.S. border. 

More than anything I was very grateful to learn about the political and DC landscape. As someone who came with a great deal of interest but limited experience, this was the perfect introduction to the scene. I was able to attend multiple fun events such as the Congressional Baseball Game, IDFA’s Capitol Hill Ice Cream party, committee hearing, multiple social hours and even meet with local veterinarians in the area. Learning from these interactions and about the different avenues we can take in veterinary medicine was immensely eye opening and I look forward to returning to the area someday to continue working in this field. 

Caption This Contest

Photo submitted by Kayla Tando, University of Illinois

Caption submitted by Caroline Stickler, University of Pennsylvania

"Me looking at all the information in my case study and not knowing what to do with it"

Experiences

Submitted by Shea O'Sullivan, University of Missouri

If my name hasn’t already given it away, I am incredibly Irish. My mom’s mom is from

County Kildare, her dad was a first generation american from an Irish parent, and my dad is from

County Kerry. As such, being Irish is a big part of who I am.

My family is extremely proud of my siblings and I, as we are the first generation on both

sides of our family to be college educated. Both my dad and grandma grew up very poor;

education was unfortunately not the top priority and neither finished high school in favor of

working to support themselves and their families. My mom was only able to complete one

semester of college before she had to leave due to lack of funds.

Our family has always had a deep connection to animals due to our past; my dad quite

literally used a donkey and a cart to get around as a kid and they raised dogs to use for hunting

and racing for income. My grandma grew up in similar circumstances, and our family has had a

host of animals since I can remember. I’m not only able to make my family proud by attending

both undergrad and professional school, but I get to further that by becoming a person committed

to caring for what they value most: animals. While my family might not understand the inner

workings of college education because they were not able to experience it themselves, they can

understand animals and I get to share that with them.

When we were younger, we used to visit Ireland a lot, but due to financial hardship, none

of us had been back for over ten years. This past summer, I was fortunate enough to go back with

my sister to visit our dad’s family. Being back where he grew up reinvigorated my love and

passion for animals and reminded me of where it all started. My family grew their passion and

love for animals in Ireland and they spread it all the way to the US, and eventually, to me. I am

so fortunate that I get to spend a lifetime honoring my family and my heritage in a unique way,

by becoming a veterinarian.

Cutest Pet

Submitted by Jessica Stewart, University of Pennsylvania

Externs on the Hill

Submitted by Shannen Auffarth, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine

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When I attended the AVMA’s Legislative Fly-In in April 2023, I had no clue what

to expect. During this experience, I learned about organized veterinary medicine, met

with my legislators to advocate on behalf of the veterinary profession, and connected

with veterinarians from all over the country. I had never encountered something like this

before, but by the end of the event, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing grassroots

efforts that support the interests of a profession I care about so deeply.

After attending the fly-in, I thought more about how policy will continue to play a

role in my work as a future veterinarian. From here, I even decided to pursue a master’s

in public health in addition to my veterinary degree, thanks to my school’s dual degree

DVM/MPH program. As I continued to pursue my interests in infectious disease and

population health in school, I gained a new perspective from my experiences at the fly-

in. When the opportunity to apply for the AVMA’s Government Relations Division

externship arrived, I was ecstatic to further grow my insight and learn about the inner

workings of government, policy, and legislation.

As I reflect on the past three weeks before entering the final week of this

externship, I feel extremely grateful for the chance to see in real-time how change can

be made. Veterinarians serve a variety of crucial roles in society, but the needs of the

community are not always obvious to lawmakers. By engaging in grassroots advocacy ,

the voice of our profession and the issues we care about are amplified in Congress.

During my time with the AVMA, our focus has been on pressing and popular issues

regarding xylazine, new world screwworm, and supporting the rural veterinary

workforce. I have been able to connect with legislators and their staff in meetings both

on and off Capitol Hill, attend congressional committee hearings, learn about the

legislative process, and network with other students with similar interests. Though it was

not all work and no play, as I also got to attend the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party and

Congressional Baseball Game for fun, too!

With my final week approaching, I am using the rest of my time to continue

exploring less traditional career paths within veterinary medicine. This externship allows

students to connect with veterinarians in various roles, from government to research,

institutional medicine, and beyond. I have met with the Maryland State Public Health

Veterinarian, USDA APHIS veterinarians, and a National Zoo veterinarian (just to name

a few). One of the most exciting parts of the veterinary career is the wide variety and

scope of our practice, further highlighting the need to advocate for a profession that can

be so pervasive. This externship has provided me with many invaluable skills and

resources that I look forward to carrying with me as I begin my fourth year of veterinary

school and my career journey.

When I attended the AVMA’s Legislative Fly-In in April 2023, I had no clue whatto expect. During this experience, I learned about organized veterinary medicine, metwith my legislators to advocate on behalf of the veterinary profession, and connectedwith veterinarians from all over the country. I had never encountered something like thisbefore, but by the end of the event, I knew I wanted to continue pursuing grassrootsefforts that support the interests of a profession I care about so deeply.After attending the fly-in, I thought more about how policy will continue to play arole in my work as a future veterinarian. From here, I even decided to pursue a master’sin public health in addition to my veterinary degree, thanks to my school’s dual degreeDVM/MPH program. As I continued to pursue my interests in infectious disease andpopulation health in school, I gained a new perspective from my experiences at the fly-in. When the opportunity to apply for the AVMA’s Government Relations Divisionexternship arrived, I was ecstatic to further grow my insight and learn about the innerworkings of government, policy, and legislation.As I reflect on the past three weeks before entering the final week of thisexternship, I feel extremely grateful for the chance to see in real-time how change canbe made. Veterinarians serve a variety of crucial roles in society, but the needs of thecommunity are not always obvious to lawmakers. By engaging in grassroots advocacy ,the voice of our profession and the issues we care about are amplified in Congress.During my time with the AVMA, our focus has been on pressing and popular issuesregarding xylazine, new world screwworm, and supporting the rural veterinaryworkforce. I have been able to connect with legislators and their staff in meetings bothon and off Capitol Hill, attend congressional committee hearings, learn about thelegislative process, and network with other students with similar interests. Though it wasnot all work and no play, as I also got to attend the Capitol Hill Ice Cream Party andCongressional Baseball Game for fun, too!With my final week approaching, I am using the rest of my time to continueexploring less traditional career paths within veterinary medicine. This externship allowsstudents to connect with veterinarians in various roles, from government to research,institutional medicine, and beyond. I have met with the Maryland State Public HealthVeterinarian, USDA APHIS veterinarians, and a National Zoo veterinarian (just to namea few). One of the most exciting parts of the veterinary career is the wide variety andscope of our practice, further highlighting the need to advocate for a profession that canbe so pervasive. This externship has provided me with many invaluable skills andresources that I look forward to carrying with me as I begin my fourth year of veterinaryschool and my career journey.