U.S. Veterinary Students: Help Set the Record Straight about Animal Agriculture!

November 22, 2010 — AASV & National Pork Board

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) and the National Pork Board (NPB) are sponsoring a unique opportunity for veterinary students to become ambassadors for the livestock industry. Groups opposed to today's modern production practices (such as HSUS and PETA) are using emotional arguments to challenge science-based practices, and are taking their propaganda to college campuses and even veterinary schools. Veterinarians and veterinary students are in a great position of leadership and knowledge to help set the record straight about animal agriculture through fact-based public education.

Become a trained speaker

Since 2004, the NPB has trained more than 800 volunteers to speak out on behalf of the pork industry through a program called Operation Main Street (OMS). OMS speakers receive training in pubic speaking, presentation tools, industry updates and "turnkey" scheduling support for presentations with civic organizations such as Rotary and Lions clubs. Several veterinarians are already involved in OMS but more veterinary students are needed.

OMS Training for Veterinary Students - March 5, 2011

A one-day OMS training session is being offered to first- and second-year U.S. veterinary students in conjunction with the AASV 2011 Annual Meeting March 5 - 8 in Phoenix, Ariz. The class will take place on Saturday, March 5 and will cover animal welfare, environmental stewardship, antibiotic use, and more. The NPB will cover travel costs and accommodations at the AASV conference hotel Friday and Saturday night.

Sign-Up Deadline: December 15, 2010

Twelve to fifteen students from various U.S. veterinary schools will be selected to attend. Our goal is to have trained OMS ambassadors in place at every U.S. veterinary school, including those where swine medicine is not a primary focus.

If you are interested in attending the OMS training, please email Dr. Amy Woods at awoods@advancedvetservices.com no later than December 15, 2010. Your email should include contact information, your year in veterinary school and a brief description of your interest in swine and/or food animal production medicine.

You will be notified by December 31, 2010 if you have been selected to participate and will receive further travel details at that time.

Thank you for your consideration to participate in this great opportunity. We look forward to hearing from you and also look forward to working with you in the future as a colleague in the food animal medicine profession!