Pics for Pets

Dosomething.org's new campaign, Pics for Pets, is an issue SAVMA can get behind. Read on for how to get more involved.

Henri is a Pics for Pets featured pet, learn about their stories at pics.dosomething.org/featured 

I. THE ISSUE

Every year, approximately 3-4 million animals are euthanized in shelters - that's 60% of the dogs and 70% of the cats that are taken in.

One reason these pets don't get adopted? Their online photos don't do them justice. There are plenty of great companions in shelters, but their photos are often taken when they first arrive, scared and confused. Pair that with harsh lighting and sterile surroundings and it's tough to compete with the puppy in the store window. 

II. BIG IDEA AND CALL TO ACTION

Dosomething.org is launching a nationwide campaign to increase adoption rates in shelters through young people and their cameras. Elsa is a Pics for Pets featured pet, learn about their stories at pics.dosomething.org/featured There's two ways that young people can take action with us through the campaign. The first level mobilizes young people to visit their local shelters and to take irresistible photos of adoptable pets. They'll upload these photos to our website for everyone to see. Every time someone submits a photo, they will be entered to win a $4,000 scholarship (5 photos is 5 entries, etc.). 

The second level of involvement involves sharing the photos online. Once the photos of adoptable pets on the website, there will be the option to share the photo and the animal with a friend who might adopt them! Once a photo gets 400 shares, dosomething.org will donate needed pet supplies to the shelter.

Dosomething.org would love it if readers of the Vet Gazette could help in either visiting shelters to take photos or take action online through sharing the pets. Last year, 91,000 teens joined the effort, help the campaign and be part of it today.

Meet the Executive Board: Chase Crawford

This post is part of a series made to introduce you to your SAVMA Executive Board. They were elected by their fellow delegates and are here to serve you. Read on for a spotlight on the Information Technology Officer!

Name, Position on EB: Chase Crawford, Information Technology Officer (ITO)

School and Year: Texas A&M University Class of 2014

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Your area of interest within veterinary medicine:  International opportunities, Public Health, Epidemiology, Infectious disease, Ophthalmology, Organized veterinary medicine. 

Description of what your office entails: The ITO works in conjunction with the Vet Gazette editor to develop the web presence of SAVMA through its Facebook page and website. Additionally, the ITO works with the SAVMA House of Delegates and its committees to ensure all necessary information is distributed in a timely manner. The ITO is also responsible for taking photographs during the SAVMA HOD and SCAVMA President’s meetings.

Your favorite thing about holding that office: I have a reason to use my Photoshop skills!

 Something exciting that your office is doing/has done for vet students this past year: The ITO has been working hard to increase the online presence of SAVMA. We have come a long way and are excited to build on this momentum.

Your favorite SAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): The best part about SAVMA is getting to meet and work with colleagues from other schools that I may not have ever known otherwise. There are some truly amazing people representing their schools in the SAVMA House of Delegates. 

Something fun about yourself: I am doing a 3 month externship at the FAO headquarters in Italy!

IVSA happenings at Oregon State University

One of the benefits of being a SAVMA member is that you are also a member of the International Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA). Read below to see what Oregon State University's chapter is up to!

The OSU International Veterinary Students Association has been very busy over the last few months.  We started out the school year with the very successful Run for Ukraine in October followed up by OHOW week in January.  In winter term we awarded scholarships to Nicaragua 2012 participants, and the term was rounded out by our annual silent auction.  Plans for the 2013 trip to Nicaragua are well under way; applications were received and approved in January.  The 2013 Nicaragua participants began their required seminars on April 2nd; those will continue through spring term.  Representatives from our IVSA group attended the tenth annual Western Regional International Health Conference at OHSU at the beginning of April and there is more IVSA fun to come.  Don't forget the International Food Fest coming sometime in May!

On October 14th IVSA held The Run for Ukraine.  This event received a lot of community support and raised $785 that will be used to further veterinary care in our sister city of Uzhgorod, Ukraine and assist the community of Ukraine with healthcare for their citizens suffering with tuberculosis.  Currently, Uzhgorod does not have an animal shelter, the community hopes to put these funds toward the effort of establishing one.

OHOW (One-Health-One-World) week was January 7-11 and the proceeds from this event also went to our sister city Uzhgorod, Ukraine; a grand total of $874.67.  The events of the week consisted of a presentation from the Corvallis Sister City Association, a penny drive that the Class of 2014 won again this year, and several lunches sponsored by IVSA, AAEP, Therio Club, SCAVMA, Class of 2014 and Shelter Med Club.  There was also a fundraiser sponsored by Woodstocks Pizza in which 30% of the proceeds were donated to our sister city.

Thanks to Dr. Bermudez and the Department of Biomedical Sciences, we were able to award 8 scholarships for

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Meet the Executive Board: Ricci Karkula

This post is part of series made to highlight the members of your SAVMA Executive Board. They were originally members of the House of Delegates, and were then elected by their fellow delegates to serve you on the board.

Name, Position on EB: Ricci Karkula, President-elect

School and Year: Texas A&M University, c/o 2015

Hometown: Sanger, California

Your area of interest within veterinary medicine: Equine Sports Medicine

Description of what your office entails: Hanging out with Elise, the SAVMA President, to learn the ropes of the presidential position and representing the members of SAVMA.

Your favorite thing about holding that office: Having the opportunity to represent the thoughts and opinions of the veterinary student body.

Your favorite SAVMA related experience thus far (EB or not): Meeting new people from other veterinary schools.

Something fun about yourself: I competed in rodeo events growing up and all through high school and college. I still ride horses and run barrels whenever I am home in California.

Increasing Your Employment Prospects

Partners for Healthy Pets is an alliance of more than 20 leading veterinary associations and animal health companies committed to a vision of improved overall health for pets. As SAVMA is an associate member, The Vet Gazette will be regularly posting updates. Visit thier website to learn more!

Part 1: Internet Marketing and Social Media Skills

You’ve read the reports: more and more colleges of veterinary medicine are increasing class size, more schools have recently been accredited by AVMA, there is excess capacity in the veterinary care delivery system, and pet owner visits are declining. There are still good job opportunities available but let’s face it – each year approximately 1,500 veterinarians, comprised of new graduates and recent graduates completing a one year internship, are entering the companion animal private practice job market. Approximately 500 more seek positions in other types of private practice. The bottom line is that there is a lot of competition for the best jobs, especially if you are limited in geographic locations.

Employers are looking for good clinical skills along with good communications and interpersonal skills. With the quality of education in veterinary colleges today, most of the 1,500 new entrants to the market have these skills. Given that, what else can you bring to a practice that will differentiate yourself from other applicants?

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