EXTERNS ON THE HILL

Submitted by John La Bonte, University of Arizona

Endless Opportunities in a Lifelong Career

The process of applying and gaining experience before veterinary school is not the same path for all students, but we all have the same singular goal - getting accepted. While applying, most of us have an idea of what we want to do after getting those three letters behind our name without ever thinking of the other opportunities out there. Then, we get to school, and that easy straightforward path gets all jumbled with the number of opportunities presented to us. If you are anything like me and my friends, you go back and forth on internships versus mentorship, pursuing a residency versus CE applicable to our interests, and making more money in small animal GP versus pursuing a passion in equine/bovine medicine, but making less money. 

What I have learned from my four weeks as an AVMA Government Relations Division Extern in Washington D.C. and meeting with roughly 18 veterinarians in public service is that there are endless opportunities for us as veterinarians in the public policy world and the experience you gain is valuable toward our career. The veterinarians I spoke with worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Food Safety and Inspection Service/Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) , Food and Drug Administration (FDA), AVMA, Congress, U.S. Department of State (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The skills we have as veterinarians are transferrable and valued in areas outside of the hospital or field. Again, more options may seem overwhelming like they are in school, but it is also freeing to know we are not stuck if we want to change directions career-wise. 

At the VBMA Western Summit last year, Dr. Kristina Yee cited a study where on average people graduating from veterinary school were ready for a career change after seven years. For her, that meant opening and running her own practice. This stat has really stuck with me because I want to continue to be a postive voice in veterinary medicine that encourages people to join the profession. . While I love being in the clinic, educating clients, and getting to help people every day, I have taken opportunities in school to explore different career options beyond the traditional path most of us will pursue. For me, this has meant exploring opportunities in One Health and seeing how I can incorporate my interest in epidemiology into my career. 

The veterinarians I have met with are extremely passionate and have a desire to make an impact on a large scale. Dr. Lindsey Hornickel, an Assistant Director with the GRD, advocates on Capitol Hill on behalf of the veterinary profession to help Congress better understand the legislative needs of veterinarians. Dr. Chelsey Shivley works at USDA-APHIS as the Antimicrobial Resistance Coordinator and works to monitor antimicrobial resistance in the food and companion animal sectors. Dr. Steven Rekant, a former CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, also works at USDA-APHIS as a One Health and SARS-CoV2-Coordinator. He monitors zoonotic disease reports in the U.S. and coordinates the response to those events. Dr. Jacob Merryman, a former AVMA Congressional Fellow and policy advisor at the US DOS, works on the office’s response to mosquito-borne diseases internationally. Lastly, Dr. Carmen Stamper works at the FDA-Center for Veterinary Medicine as the Health Communications Specialist where she gets to educate the public and veterinarians on newly approved drugs, general safety information, and food recalls. 

The diversity of roles that I saw veterinarians in was amazing and has encouraged me to look beyond the confines of the hospital. I graduate in August 2024, and I plan to work in a small animal GP clinic. I now plan to pursue an MPH and keep my eyes open to public service in the future. I encourage everyone to keep an open mind about their future and to know that networking with veterinarians can only benefit you. Virgina-Maryland CVM has great resources on public health veterinary medicine for any stage in your career. While I don’t know where my life will lead me, I am very excited to be a part of the profession with you all and will always keep my favorite quote in mind by Dr. Kate Baker, “you do not need to be unhappy to make a change.”

EXTERNS ON THE HILL

Submitted by Jacey Cerda, Colorado State University (AVMA Government Relations Division extern)

Multi-talented People

As we walked to an Irish pub a couple of blocks away from the U.S. Capital, Dr. Lindsey Hornickel (a veterinarian and an assistant director with the AVMA’s Government Relations Division [GRD]) talked to me about the purpose of our evening event. At least three members of Congress were likely to be present, and it was our mission to build a relationship with those members and their staff as representatives of the veterinary community. There are several bills immensely important to the veterinary field currently pending before Congress, and it is imperative for members of Congress to meet with veterinarians and veterinary students, like me, to understand our position on those issues; otherwise, our voices are lost in the cacophony of other interested parties whose positions may be detrimental to our profession.  

As we were directed to where the event was happening, I was picturing a large hall full of people speaking to each other in a strict, formal manner. I was wrong. We entered a small room bedecked in dark brown mahogany with less than 30 people present. After just a few minutes of mingling, a member of Congress thanked us all for being there, grabbed his guitar, and proceeded to sing two of his own original songs. Other representatives followed suit on the piano and bongo drums. 

After they played a few more songs, we were able to complete our mission and have positive conversations about veterinary medicine with the members of Congress and their staff. This experience provides a great example of what it is like to be a veterinary student extern with AVMA’s GRD. Veterinarians and veterinary students, like the members of Congress, are multi-talented, and they can use their skillsets to have a positive influence in so many ways. 

In only two weeks, I have met with veterinarians across the U.S. government who work on international wildlife conservation, wildlife disease health, livestock health, and on international development at the USAID. Some work for members of Congress and many have direct influence on public health policy and practice. Some veterinarians practiced for several years prior to transitioning to their government roles, others came straight through from veterinary school, and many have other degrees and skillsets that are perfect complements to the DVM and the work they do. All of these veterinarians, like the members of Congress, use skillsets unrelated to veterinary medicine to do important work. 

I’ve personally had a windy path into veterinary medicine from wildlife biologist to trial attorney to working on zoonotic parasites, and finally to veterinary school. It’s refreshing and encouraging to hear about the myriad ways you can use all of your skillsets to do crucial work, including even running for and being a member of Congress. This externship is a daily reminder to bring all of myself into veterinary medicine because sometimes playing the guitar, or the piano, or the drums, helps you to do the essential work you do in the world. So, let’s remember to bring our whole selves to this wonderful profession of veterinary medicine because we are all, multi-talented people.

EXTERNS ON THE HILL

STUDENT EXPERIENCE: THAILAND

Submitted by Holly Schwarzman, Ross University

Thailand Elephant Medicine Externship - A Ton to Think About!

"Over the past spring break, I was provided the opportunity to take a trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand to study elephants. This experience was planned with ZEW (Zoo, Exotics, and Wildlife) club at Ross University through Loop Aboard's externship program. This experience allowed 9 students to delve into the fascinating realm of elephant medicine. 

While on the trip we visited two sanctuaries- one was a protected contact and the other being free contact with the elephants. This gave us the opportunity to see how two different types of sanctuaries were run and how the elephants displayed different behaviors with diverse environments. 

BEES (Burm &Emily Elephant Sanctuary) was the first one we visited. This sanctuary is run in completely closed contact with the elephant. This means that tourists are to observe elephant behavior from a far and no touching of the elephants is permitted by anyone other than the veterinary team or elephant handler. We were able to do elephant hikes into the forest to see them display natural behaviors and how they interacted in a social manner. Additionally, we completed an enrichment project that provided the elephants a means of cognitive entertainment and mental stimulation. 

Ran-tong- Save and Rescue Elephant Centre was the second sanctuary we visited. This one was run much different than BEES. Ran-tong allowed for free contact with the elephants as long as the handler was nearby. Tourists were able to touch and feed the elephants and the elephants were given specific instructions by their handler on how to behave. This was a much different scenario as the free contact can be increasingly more dangerous if the elephant decides to disobey the handler. They did not allow riding of the elephants and the elephants were allowed to not participate in activities if they did not choose.

While at the sanctuary, the program allowed us as vet students to get a more in depth look at the aspects that go into elephant medicine. We were given multiple lecture series over various aspects of elephant care. Topics ranging from, husbandry, behavior, diet, physiology, anatomy, preventative care, surgery and anesthesia were some of the subjects covered. On top of the courses, we were able to do hands activities as well. We were able to do foot care, training sessions, fecal collection, blood smear analysis, intramuscular vitamin injections and I was even able to collect blood from the auricular vein!

During the two-week program, we were instructed to create a public service announcement promoting conservation and education on the issues that elephants face. With both African and Asian elephants being listed as endangered, it's important to bring awareness to this issue by sharing the knowledge we have as veterinarians with others. I was able to create an educational pamphlet on the reasons why elephant numbers are declining and what we can do to help. 

One of the major causes in the decline of the elephant populations has to do with humans- animal conflict leading to poaching, habitat loss, and illegal trading of elephant parts. This is a challenge in most areas of the world as the human population increases and encroaches on other animal’s habitats. Some ways to alleviate this conflict is to make stricter regulations on poaching and try to draw attention to the fact that we can live in harmony with the elephants. 

Creating sustainable places for tourists to visit and see/ learn about the dangers these magnificent creatures face helps to encourage more people to care about the status of elephants. Sanctuaries like the two we visited work diligently to bring this notion to light. Additionally, elephants are a keystone means and they are an essential part of the ecosystem. As their numbers dwindle it will leave a lasting impact on the human population, and the biodiversity of other species as well. 

While I learned a vast amount of information and greatly enjoyed the program overall, it really brought light to the issues many wild species are currently facing. This externship has motivated me to continue to pursue a career in the field of conservation medicine as I move through my DVM course. Hopefully one day I will be able to accomplish my goal of bringing awareness to the despite need to protect this wonderful species."

STUDENT EXPERIENCE

Submitted by Joanna Itrich, North Carolina State University

"In April 2023, I traveled to Glossop, England to participate in an externship at the Ashdale Veterinary Centre. I truly loved every minute of my experience. From the welcoming people and many sweet patients, to the wonderful views, I regret that I was only able to stay a week, but I am looking forward to going back! I met the owner of the clinic at the VMX conference in Florida and after talking, she invited me to come see her clinic. Our brief encounter at VMX was followed by a year of planning and emailing back and forth, but I am so happy I was finally able to go! 

Glossop is a little, old town about 25 kilometers from Manchester. The town itself is lovely and full of old English architecture and history. There is evidence that the Romans arrived there in 78 AD. The town is on the very edge of the Peak District National Park – an English gem. Every day after the clinic closed, I was able to go hiking around the wonderful area and explore the English culture. English law allows for crossing private lands by foot if you will not disturb the environment – these types of trails are called “public footpaths.” I had the opportunity to try their traditional dishes like black pudding and drink their famous beers. Each day was an adventure! I spoked with the locals and they directed me to the hidden gems in the area. This part of England is well known for raising sheep and April is a lambing season, so I was able to see many adorable babies. Additionally, Manchester was easily accessible by a 30 minute train ride. I was able to visit Manchester one night, which also has many fun things to do and see. I was in awe of the diverse architecture, which highlighted all eras of English history. I am originally from Poland and Glossop was able to make me feel a lot closer to home than any other place that I have visited recently.

Ashdale Veterinary Centre is a cozy general practice located right in the middle of town. Everything was walkable and my hotel was located about 2 minutes walk from the clinic. All the clinicians were super welcoming and happy to teach. They asked me what I wanted to improve in and we worked on my goals together. 

This clinic also sees exotic species, which was very interesting and taught me so much! I was able to become familiar with drugs that are not approved in the US, which is helpful because I am considering going back to Europe after graduation. Furthermore, I learned a lot of different procedures and techniques that are rarely used back in the United State, like hand tying feline neuter or flank feline spay and was able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of both. It was very interesting to see and learn about different techniques approaching the same problem. It also seemed like this part of England did not have a lot of mixed breed dogs, therefore, knowing breed predispositions were very handy! Every day I gained critical thinking skills and hands-on experience. 

Overall, this was an unforgettable experience. I was able to connect two of my passions, veterinary medicine and travelling. This experience also showed me that traveling alone to different countries is possible and can be safe if you take the time to plan and prepare beforehand. Furthermore, this experience helped me to see that my dreams are possible, I just need to work hard for it."