Seeing Double

We love these vibrant photographs taken by Kyleigh Tyler of The Ohio State University!  These high-definition hues really make our nation's capital pop! 

AVMA Government Relations Student Externship Blog

Check out this blog post from Michael Dupor, University of Wisconsin, sharing his experience completing the AVMA Government Relations Student Externship Program!

If you’re like most Americans, you probably think of Washington D.C. with some mixture of frustration, disgust, exasperation, worry and resentment. For this bright-eyed veterinary student/policy nerd, however, Washington D.C. represented a one-of-a-kind opportunity. An externship where I could understand the process and meet the people that shape policy in our country, and to help give veterinarians a voice on Capitol Hill.

I am in my fourth year at the University of Wisconsin, on a food animal track. I plan to enter food animal practice after graduation. Given that, it may seem odd that I decided to take a break from my busy schedule of palpating and cutting DAs in rural Wisconsin to spend a month in a suit and tie in Washington DC. My interest in this externship was piqued by a lifelong passion for public affairs and policy, and specifically a desire to learn more about agricultural policy.

I learned a ton about policy during this externship. Specifically, I spent time taking notes in Congressional hearings, reading proposed legislation and appropriations requests, meeting with members of Congress and their staffs, and attending policy seminars and panel discussions. I also had the chance to sit in on several AVMA committee meetings. There, practicing veterinarians from across the country and a variety of fields debated what positions the AVMA should take on upcoming legislation, with topics ranging from pesticide use to lab animal welfare to student loan debt. 

I spent a lot of time discussing the shortage of rural veterinarians and encouraging support for programs to strengthen the Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program. The program helps food animal veterinarians working in underserved rural areas pay down debt, and, incidentally, is a program I am hoping to take advantage of. I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with several of my state’s legislators and other farm-state representatives to discuss the importance of veterinarians to a robust rural economy.

I also had the chance to meet veterinarians in a wide variety of careers. Members of Congress, colonels, lobbyists, researchers, administrators, policy analysts, public health workers, disease investigators and trade experts are just a few of the roles that veterinarians working in public practice can fill. It was fascinating to see the doors that a veterinary degree can open for you. Most of the people I met loved what they did and were thrilled to be able to share their stories with a curious student. One of the qualities that impressed me most about the politicians, scientists, policymakers and veterinarians that I met over the course of my externship was their commitment to service (yes, even the politicians). Most shared a desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves, to ensure that policy is based on good science, and to ensure that government is directed in a way that benefits all Americans.  

The other thing that stuck out to me was the different paths that they had followed to get to where they were. Some entered government right out of school, others transitioned after decades in practice, and some never left practice, preferring to work on policy as a volunteer. Nonetheless, all these veterinarians have realized the value of their experience and education in policymaking and the importance of our profession having a strong voice on Capitol Hill. What it really showed to me was that there are so many ways to be involved in shaping the decisions that affect the future of our profession and country, and that it is never too late to get started.

Given some of today’s heated partisan bickering, it is so easy to become jaded or just tune politics out. It is important to remember the countless clever, passionate, hard-working people who ignore politics and work tirelessly behind the scenes that make up our government. But it is also important to remember that our system of government places an incredible amount of faith and responsibility in its citizens. None of this works if people like you and me don’t step up and make our voices heard. We need more leaders with flexibility, animal and public health knowledge, and the ability to think independently and critically. As veterinarians, we are uniquely suited to fill that need, in non-profits, in community and professional organizations, and in government at all levels. I encourage everyone reading this to consider ways in which you could put your passion, interests and skills to use helping strengthen our profession, communities and nation. And if you are a student reading this, there’s a pretty cool externship out in DC that is a great way to get started.

My Time in D.C.: A Story about Work-Life Integration

Kassandra Schneider, UC Davis

This past summer I had the privilege of attending the AVMA Convention in Washington, D.C. Eye opening doesn’t even begin to describe it - in addition to opening my eyes to the breadth of veterinary opportunities, I was also empowered to believe that these opportunities are within my reach if I simply choose to pursue them. I left with the motivation - perhaps even a compulsion - to do just that. At the same time, I went on this trip with my boyfriend; it was our first time to D.C. and to the East Coast in general. With so much to explore, we had an amazing time perusing museums, seeing the monuments, trying new foods, and going to comedy clubs and music venues. While I had an amazing time both attending the conference and sightseeing, it wasn’t always easy to balance the two. I’d like to share a few of the realizations I had along the way about work-life integration. These realizations can be applied to conference trips like this one as well as to general day-to-day life. 

1. Planning is just the first step in achieving work-life balance; adjustments will need to be made along the way and should align with goals for the experience and for life as a whole. Before the conference, I tried to plan my day so that I would attend a chunk of lectures, break for lunch with my boyfriend and perhaps go on a museum jaunt, then return to the conference and afterwards have the evening free for more sightseeing. For the most part, my planning worked out well, but some changes occurred while I at the convention. Sometimes I’d find out about an event that I just had to attend. Other times I’d miss a lecture because it took longer to walk back from the National Mall than anticipated, or that red-eye flight plus jet lag required that I rest. These changes mostly balanced themselves out, but I had to keep in check any changes with my original goals in going to D.C.: to nurture both my career and my relationship, to both learn and relax. Somewhere there has to be a limit - I could have easily attended every talk in the conference as they were all fascinating, but in doing so I would have totally ignored my boyfriend. On the flip side, I also could have spent much more time enjoying the amazing city, but it would have been at the cost of missing the incredible opportunity I had to attend the convention.           
2. Though planning and calculated adjustments are important to achieving balance, flexibility and a positive attitude when things go awry are equally important. The one time my boyfriend and I taxied to a tourist destination (since I had more talks I wanted to attend soon after), we ended up in entirely the wrong part of town. (It turns out there are four sets of street corners with the same cross street names in D.C., but that’s a rant for another time.) By the time we realized this, the taxi had driven away, stranding us in what felt like a random, middle-of-nowhere neighborhood. At first I was upset about wasting the cab fare, stressed about getting back in time for the conference, and a bit scared of being in an unfamiliar neighborhood. But throughout my freak-out, my ever-patient boyfriend kept repeating the mantra, “Turn mistakes into miracles,” and we would soon do just that. We discovered an amazing mom-and-pop Salvadorian restaurant that we otherwise never would have found, and my fear of the unfamiliar neighborhood was immediately assuaged by the homestyle service we received. After our delicious meal, we learned that the National Zoo was just a short walk away through a hidden gem of a nature park! On the way back, a kind bus driver even let us on free of charge (shh, don’t tell anybody!). While I was unable to attend the talks I wanted, this day ended up being one of the highlights of my trip. With many Type A personalities in the veterinary field, we often feel the need to have perfect control over all situations, but often the best things in life are unplanned accidents that are embraced with an optimistic, open mind.                      
3. Acknowledge that we aren’t any less for having different aspects of our lives. In a panel I once attended about being a mom in veterinary medicine, I was introduced to the idea that if you embrace motherhood, you need to come to terms with the fact that you will neither be fully successful in being a vet nor in being a mom. During this conference I got a sense of what the tradeoffs between work and personal life feel like. I knew I gave up many networking opportunities, yet I was also aware that I was passing up bonding time with my boyfriend. Despite the understanding I have for the sentiment, I also disagree with it: rather than believing I was not fully successful as a vet or as a partner, I instead felt I was fully successful as a human being. It sounds cheesy, but we aren’t made up of component parts - we’re whole people and our careers and our families are all part of us. Taking time to enjoy myself meant that when I was in lectures, I was fully present and squeezing everything possible out of the experience. Had I spent every moment at the convention, I would have become fatigued and probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the convention as much. In one of the conference talks, a museum curator of the “Outbreak” display discussed how she designed the exhibit with tourists’ “museum fatigue” in mind. Through the way I allocated my time in D.C., I avoided both museum fatigue and “conference fatigue.” There’s no shame in living a balanced lifestyle and we aren’t any less for doing so - instead, it gives us the energy and the passion to excel in all the important areas of our lives. 
4. Reflect on the experience and consider what may be done differently next time, while maintaining the perspective that there’s no single correct path. This conference was just the beginning for me - not the be-all, end-all. Next convention in San Diego I may go with classmates and do more networking. In other situations (perhaps if I bring kids, or have other work responsibilities I must attend to while at the conference), I may spend even less time at the convention. Every outcome is a success as long as it meets my current needs - we need to renounce the idea that there’s only one way to do things because in reality there’s so many paths. We know this inherently when we see our fellow classmates who have all taken different routes to achieve their own version of success. That truth doesn’t stop once you’re in vet school or once you’re out. My time in D.C. was life changing and modifications I make to how I approached the conference this year will not change the fact that my first trip was a complete success, with even its imperfections being a crucial part of the journey. 

I have nothing but good words to say about my trip to D.C. and the lessons I’ve learned will continue to guide me through my career and my life as a whole. I will continue to work towards work-life integration in order to pursue a more enriched and meaningful lifestyle, and I hope you will too!

The Veterinary Student Externship You Didn’t Know You Needed

By Dilara Kiran, September 2018 AVMA GRD Extern and Combined DVM/PhD Student at Colorado State University

Have you ever found yourself itching for more, for the chance to make a broader impact on the veterinary profession and to get outside the clinic walls? That’s how I felt when I learned about the AVMA Government Relations Division (GRD) Externship. The externship came highly recommended to me from a classmate and seemed like a great fit. I was disgruntled with the current political climate, was hitting roadblocks in my PhD research, and was tired of sitting in the same veterinary school classroom. I yearned to be able to apply the clinical medicine and basic science I was learning through my combined degree program in a new way. 

Exceeding Expectations
After I was accepted, I looked forward to my externship block for months. I knew I would be spending four weeks in Washington D.C., that I would learn more about policy issues impacting the veterinary profession, and that I would be able to meet veterinarians working in “non-traditional” veterinary fields. I came to D.C. as a sponge, ready to throw myself into all activities and soak up as much new information as I could. Ultimately, this externship exceeded all my expectations. From navigating Washington D.C. (despite the rain and humidity), to drafting documents for members of Congress to advocate for veterinary-related issues, to meeting leading public health veterinarians, I loved every minute. The experience was not just about policy and advocacy, it was about exposing myself to the range of possibilities offered to veterinarians and the many doors that a veterinary degree can open post-graduation.

The Highlight Reel
There were so many incredible things I got to do during my time at the AVMA that I could write a blog post about each one. To keep this post within a reasonable limit, I’ll highlight some of the most impactful moments:

• Pet Night on Capitol Hill
• Farm Bill Conference Committee Hearing
• Meeting about the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF)
• Meeting both of my senator
• Meeting all veterinarians who are current members of Congress
• Smithsonian Outbreak Exhibit

All Students Should Apply for This Externship
I believe that this externship is for more than just the student interested in policy. This externship was about building connections and finding passion and meaning in veterinary medicine. It was about being inspired by the veterinary community, learning the importance of my voice, and finding value in being involved and giving back to my profession in diverse ways. I saw the intersection of policy, advocacy, government, and public health in a way I never would have experienced at my own institution. These are the opportunities not found in a textbook, in the classroom, or in a surgery suite.

What Can You Do Now to Have an Impact?
I urge all my fellow students to explore unique opportunities and take chances. You never know who you will meet or how a month of experiences will change your outlook. While the deadline for this year’s AVMA GRD externship application has passed, and while you may not be able to make it to Washington D.C., I would encourage you to be involved. There are outlets such as becoming a member of the electronic AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network, learning about the AVMA Political Action Committee, and attending state VMA Advocacy Training, that can allow you to be more informed on pertinent policy issues in veterinary medicine. There are multiple externship opportunities outside of traditional private practice through government agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health, USDA, and through AVMA, which allow you to gain experiences that are not available within a clinical setting and are valuable for perspective-building, even if you pursue a practice-based career. 

Excitement for The Future
I strive to bridge gaps between veterinary and human medicine through my understanding of clinical practice and basic research science. The AVMA GRD externship expanded my professional network of individuals I can contact for advice and encouragement as I navigate a non-traditional career pathway in veterinary medicine. It opened my eyes to the impact of policy, not only related to animal health, but related to tax, healthcare, and education, on the veterinary profession. This experience exposed me to career opportunities that I had not previously considered and helped solidify that I am following the path I was meant to follow in veterinary medicine. I came back to Colorado excited and energized for my future, and I hope that you, reading this, will be encouraged to pursue opportunities that make you feel the same.

Dilara Kiran, AVMA Extern, in front of the AVMA GRD officeAVMA Externs Dilara Kiran and Erin Beasley with Representative Kurt Schrader (OR), one of three veterinarians in Congress

The winner of the “cutest dog” contest at Pet Night on Capitol HillLarge mosquito replica at the Outbreak Exhibit at the Museum of Natural HistoryDilara Kiran, AVMA Extern, with the Capitol Building

YOU should become a LOBBYIST!

Honorable Mention, Experiences category
Samantha McDonnel, UC Davis

Okay I’m going to keep this brief because I know you veterinary students have an attention span of about 0.034 seconds.  Ughh, I probably already lost some of you…  And that’s only if you glanced down at this title for long enough after tabbing over to Facebook from your pathology notes during one of your professor’s digressions, and decided to keep reading.

For those select few who are still with me… you’re probably thinking that you don’t want to be a lobbyist (ew); you want to be a veterinarian, and actually, you know, do some benefit for society and make your mom proud (things lobbyists clearly never accomplish).  But if you reach the end of this article, I hope you take away one thing: ANYONE can be a (part-time) lobbyist!  

I, Samantha McDonnel, current DVM/PhD student, was a lobbyist in February in Washington DC, petitioning our congresspeople (yes, that is the term, get used to it) to vote certain ways on certain issues.  Hanie Elfenbein (another UCD DVM/PhD student) and I attended the AVMA legislative fly-in and went to the offices of California Sen. Barbara Boxer, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, and Rep. Mike Thompson (District 1) to lobby on two pieces of legislation of great importance to our profession: the ‘Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act’ and the ‘Fairness to Pet Owners Act.’  What’s that you say?  You’ve never heard of these things??  Of course not.  You’re a student, and you probably don’t even know much about national current events.  But there might come a point (soon) when you have heard of such bills, and when it really matters to you whether or not they pass.

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