IVEC Scholarship Winners

SAVMA International Veterinary Experience Committee (IVEC) would like to congratulate and highlight two students who were awarded the 2021 IVEC Scholarship (Cycle 2). 

Patrick Campell is a third-year veterinary student at University of Minnesota who participated in the Vets Go Wild Program in South Africa:

“I am very grateful for the IVEC Scholarship as it afforded me the opportunity to travel to South Africa in order to complete the Vets Go Wild course under Dr. William Fowlds. This scholarship allows students like myself to travel internationally in order to learn new perspectives and cultures by helping to eliminate the cost barrier… My view on conservation was altered, as someone who lives in the United States, which is very far from the current conservation problems in South Africa. As Americans, I think we have a blinded and false sense of what conservation looks like outside our own country. What it means is fighting for conservation at the local and national governments within these countries. The scope of conservation goes beyond the American idea of research, breeding programs, and anti-poaching. Frankly, these animals are being lost at such an exponential rate that we need to start on the ground and working with the private sector of animal conservationists in South Africa.”

 

Joie Lin is fourth-year veterinary student at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Last summer, Joie externed in British Columbia, learning from experts in aquatic medicine and marine mammal pathology:

“As someone passionate about wildlife pathology and ocean conservation, this was a dream come true, as numerous endangered marine mammals, including the Southern Resident killer whales, live in British Columbia waters. By monitoring anesthesia for various pinniped procedures, I learned how to approach the dive response, a pinniped-specific anesthetic complication that can involve apnea and bradycardia. In addition, by conducting diagnostics like imaging and bloodwork, I became familiar with the unique anatomy of marine mammals and fish (along with the challenges of working with slippery, stress-prone species). I also solidified my understanding of common aquatic diseases through assessing and treating collection animals afflicted with gas bubble disease and monogeneans. Overall, this externship gave me valuable insight about aquatic medicine, furthering my interest in the field.”

 

VIN Student Rounds

Are you missing out on clinical rotations because of COVID-19? The VIN Student Team has you covered with Tuesday Topic Rounds.  During the month of March, join the VIN Student Team for 30 minute, case-based sessions every Tuesday at 12pm ET. Everyone and all levels of experience are welcome. There will be time for Q&A and discussion following. The next session is Antibiotic Treatment of Special Sites (CNS, Eye, Prostate) on March 15, 2022 at 12 ET.

In this rounds learn to: 

• Understand antimicrobial challenges when treating infection of selected body sites.
• Identify antimicrobials that may be useful for infections at those sites.

TO JOIN THE SESSION, LOG INTO THE VIN STUDENT CENTER AND CLICK THE GREEN BUTTON IN THE TOP RIGHT

The Veterinary Information Network (VIN) is here to help you as a vet student – especially during this worldwide pandemic. Membership is always free as a student!

Foot in Mouth Disease

"Clearly my cat lives a hard life"

Submitted by Rebecca Gill, Cornell University

Trivia Winner

Congrats to Madison Nardi from Virginia-Maryland CVM who correctly guessed the answer to the trivia question:

What bird shares its name with a fruit? How many species of this bird exist?

The answer was a kiwi bird! There are 5 species!

Student Experiences

Submitted by Janelle Thomas, Washington State University

Costa Rica

In preparation for veterinary school, I decided to take a study abroad trip to Costa Rica with a focus on international production systems with an emphasis on large animals that I had never interacted with before. It was a fascinating trip, full of excursions to different operations with completely different designs, conversations with natives spanning generations in the country, and an incredibly colorful culture that I was fascinated to be immersed in.

 One operation that really stuck with me and gave me some incredible perspective was a large facility dedicated to raising, teaching, and guiding orphaned young men. The facility was equipped with dormitories, recreation, exhibits, as well as many different species of livestock, rehabilitated wildlife, avian species, and more! It was my first exposure to not only large animal species, but also to an organization with such an incredible mission statement! The boys that lived at this center were fully responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the animals and the facility. It was incredible to hear their stories and their unique journeys. They cared so deeply about the animals, and gave me novel perspective about the human-animal bond and what it can do for all species involved. The animals at the facility were not viewed as commodities or profit; instead, there was an overwhelming feeling of personal responsibility and tender care for each animal on the property, and that each person on the team had a job to fulfill. 

I had my first encounter with a lamb at this site, and the pictures attached demonstrate the immense love and connection I felt for these animals with first touch. The lamb I held was only days old, and it hit me instantly with an incredible amount of emotion that this was a new life, so innocent and inexperienced, and I had the opportunity to hold it in my arms. Throughout the tour and interaction with the people at the facility, I was surrounded by humble, intelligent, hardworking individuals that despite their hardships, were there to fulfill a mission and provide the best experience to the boys that lived there. They were also incredibly welcoming, inviting my group into their homes to share stories and a meal together. Everyone’s hearts were so full, and I left feeling so grateful for the experience and to have had the opportunity to cross paths with these incredible people. Costa Rica was an incredible place, and also made me realize the world is such a big place full of stories waiting to be told.