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The partnership between Boehringer Ingelheim and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the US Department of Agriculture will provide veterinary students the opportunity to research diseases with the potential to impact livestock and public health.

According to a company release, the collaboration expands the Boehringer Ingelheim-led Veterinary Scholars Program, which has offered stipends to more than 3,500 veterinary students over the past 30 years to pursue biomedical research.

The program will grant 12 students the chance to spend the summer at 1 of 9 USDA sites and work with an ARS scientist on a research project in livestock infectious diseases. All costs will be covered for the students, including a monthly stipend and travel costs for commuting to and from their schools to the USDA centers.

"ARS employs world-renowned veterinarian scientists with a broad range of expertise in infectious diseases of animal and public health concern," said Roxann Motroni, DVM, PhD, USDA Agricultural Research Service national program leader for animal health.

"This allows us to be responsive to emerging One Health disease threats by quickly implementing research needed to inform emergency response. Through this partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim's Veterinary Scholars Program, veterinary students across the country will have the opportunity to train with these leading veterinarian scientists,” she added.

USDA's funding for the program is part of the Agrosecurity Partnerships for Innovative Research (ASPIRE) platform, which strives to strengthen the bio and agro-defense research sector through strategic partnerships. The mission of this 5-year partnership with the Veterinary Scholars Program is to improve relationships with national and international veterinary schools by offering their students with collaborative research opportunities in ARS's specialized facilities. The facilities are the Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory in Athens, Georgia, the National Animal Disease Center in Ames, IA, and the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility, in Manhattan, Kansas.

What's more, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility,—which is currently underway—will have biosafety level-2, -3 and -4 laboratories that can hold large livestock with a goal to protect the US against the threat and potential negative impacts of transboundary, emerging, and zoonotic animal diseases.

"In addition to developing real-world exposure to One Health—and the important intersection between animal and human health—we hope that this summer experience as Veterinary Scholars at USDA will serve as a source of inspiration for students, motivating them to pursue work that helps protect our animals, public health and the food supply," Motroni added.

At the conclusion of the summer, students will attend and present their work at the annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium to be hosted in 2022 by the University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine in St. Paul, Minnesota.

To sponsor this annual symposium, the USDA will join Boehringer Ingelheim, the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the National Institutes of Health. It displays research by several hundred veterinary students as part of their Veterinary Scholar Program internships at more than 3 dozen veterinary schools and agencies nationwide, according to the release. 

"COVID-19, African Swine Fever and other recent outbreaks and pandemics have underscored the need for increased vigilance and understanding of transboundary threats to human and animal health," said Caroline Belmont, vice president, US Global Innovation and US Regulatory Affairs for Boehringer Ingelheim's Animal Health business.

"Today's veterinary students will play a critical role in addressing our future challenges, and the hands-on experience, guidance and support we provide them now through the Veterinary Scholars Program—in particular, these opportunities to work with USDA researchers—represent an important investment in the future health of animals and humans," concluded Belmont.

USDA and Boehringer Ingelheim expand summer research opportunities for veterinary students. Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. News release. December 8, 2021. Accessed December 8, 2021. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/usda-and-boehringer-ingelheim-expand-summer-research-opportunities-for-veterinary-students-301440367.html

Articles

The program will provide 12 students the opportunity to spend the summer at a USDA site and work with an ARS scientist on a research project in livestock infectious diseases. 

USDA And Boehringer Ingelheim collaborate to expand its Veterinary Scholars Program

, Makenzie Peterson, MSc, got candid about her journey to becoming the first director of wellbeing for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges and detailed the significance of this milestone. 

View the video below for the entire discussion. The following is a partial transcript

: Veterinary medicine is actually the first educational association within all the health professions to have a position like this entirely dedicated to well-being, so I really value [AAVMC's] forethought and vision in really seeing the value of roles like this and also roles dedicated to diversity equity and inclusion. It is not as common as people think. 

Videos

In an interview with dvm360®, Makenzie Peterson, MSc, reflected on her road to becoming the first director of wellbeing for the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.

Becoming the Wellbeing Director for the AAVMC

Following the beaming success from our recent Fetch dvm30

 conference in San Diego, California, we want to express our sincerest thanks to the faculty, attendees, and staff that made this event worthwhile. In honor of this exhilarating conference where invaluable information was shared and veterinary colleagues rekindled, we have selected 3 articles highlighting notable speakers and presentations.  

From the Veterinary Heroes™ being honored to helpful advice for transitioning veterinary care services—there’s something for everyone. Happy reading!

8 Veterinary Heroes™ honored at Fetch dvm360® Conference

and honored these esteemed veterinary professionals nominated by their peers for demonstrating leadership and accomplishment in the field. 

A career of a lifetime becomes a fight of a lifetime

Mark Goldstein, DVM, shared details of working as a veterinary professional, fighting against pancreatic cancer, and how clients and patients have shaped him into the person he is today. 

5 Steps for easing the care transition from curbside to inside

aligning your work culture to enforcing the plan, Mary Lopez,  MSOL, outlined the steps to take when changing your services from curbside to inside. 

3 highlights from this year's lively Fetch dvm360® conference in San Diego, California. 

3 Must-reads recapping the 2021 Fetch dvm360® San Diego conference

The Veterinary Hospital Managers Association (VHMA) is proud to announce the names of 27 veterinary management professionals from the class of November 2021 who have earned the certified veterinary practice manager (CVPM) credential. The CVPM designation is recognized as a mark of achievement and excellence and is awarded to those who display the knowledge and experience required to helm the ever-changing operations within veterinary practices, according to the association. 

A special congratulations to the class of November 2021:

Practice managers that are interested in earning the CVPM designation must first meet practice management experience requirements and prove they have received sufficient formal education as well as continuing education (CE) credits. Once all prerequisites are met, they will also partake in an exam that tests in areas such as human resources, law and ethics, finance, and more. The exam is available to registered candidates electronically across North America.

Twenty-seven Veterinary Practice Managers Earn Prestigious CVPM Designation. The Veterinary Practice Manager Association. Accessed December 8, 2021. Email.

These practice managers now join hundreds of their peers who also earned the credential 

27 practice managers receive CVPM designation

 San Diego conference in California, Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, lead clinician and practice owner of Animal Behavior Clinic located in Portland, Oregon, listed each of the 5 pillars of a healthy feline environment and shares the details of each one.

: The first [pillar of a healthy feline environment] that's on my list is a safe place and that's really important for any animal...we want them to feel safe and secure and not operating in their world from a place of fear or vulnerability. The second one is multiple, separated key resources and that's also important—especially for cats—the availability or the perceived availability of resources like food or water or toileting locations or places to sleep without being in danger. 

In a recent dvm360® interview, Chris Pachel, DVM, DACVB, CABC, described the significance of the 5 pillars of a healthy feline environment while outlining each one.

5 pillars of a healthy feline environment

 conference in San Diego, California, Kelly Cairns, DVM, DACVIM, MS, disclosed how veterinary professionals can enhance their careers by utilizing their strengths and passions, plus revealed the importance of embracing weaknesses as well.

: There are a lot of studies that show that people who use their strengths and the things that they are good at and they love in their job are 6 times more likely to be satisfied with their job and engaged with their job. So really, if you're using your strengths in your job, you're going to be happier. 

In an interview with dvm360®, Kelly Cairns, DVM, DACVIM, MS, divulged how harnessing your strengths and passions can help excel your career, plus stressed the importance of welcoming your weaknesses. 