In an effort to engage every AASV member in the ambitious effort to raise $100,000 for the AASV Foundation (securing the 100K research funding match from MVP Laboratories and MJ Biologics), the auction committee is selling raffle tickets for the chance to win one of four fabulous prizes! The raffle drawing will take place during the auction in San Diego on March 4, but ticket holders do NOT need to be present to win. That means you – yes, YOU – can purchase a ticket to support the foundation and participate in the drawing.

•   1st prize: Log cabin quilt donated by      Hen & Chicks Studio
•   2nd prize: $1000
•   3rd prize: 2014 AASV Annual    Meeting registration
•   4th prize: 2014 AASV Annual    Meeting registration

Contact the AASV office or one of the auction committee members listed below to purchase raffle tickets, which sell for $100 each. (Please note, the IRS says raffle ticket purchases are not deductible.) Your support is essential to “Ensure Our Future Today – 100K!”

The AASVF Auction Committee is chaired by Dr Daryl Olsen and includes Drs Matt Anderson, Butch Baker, John Baker, Joe Connor, Scanlon Daniels, Tom Gillespie, Peggy Anne Hawkins, Rod Johnson, Jeff Kaisand, Ruth Loula, Darrell Neuberger, Max Rodibaugh, Larry Rueff, Tom Wetzell, and Warren Wilson.

Up to $500 available to veterinary students to defray swine externship expenses

The AASV Foundation encourages veterinary students with an interest in swine medicine to gain extracurricular, “hands-on” experience working with swine practitioners in a private practice or production company. The foundation’s Swine Externship Grant Program, now in its twelfth year, provides financial support to veterinary students who participate in a qualifying externship. The grants are available year-round and range from $200 to $500 per student, based upon the actual expenses incurred during the externship.

Veterinary students who plan to complete an externship of at least 2 weeks’ duration in a swine practice or a mixed practice with a considerable swine component may apply for the grant. Both the student and at least one member of the hosting practice must be members of the AASV. Members who are willing to host students are encouraged to provide their contact information to AASV for inclusion in the list of externship opportunities on the AASV Web site at aasv.org/members/career/internships.php.

In addition to student information, the grant application requests a letter from the hosting practice containing details of the planned externship. After the externship has been completed and the practice has confirmed the student’s participation, the student submits a brief report of his or her experiences, along with expense receipts, to the AASV Foundation before the funds are disbursed.

The foundation has awarded grants to more than 90 students from the United States and Canada since the program’s inception in 2002.

The grant application is available at aasv.org/students/externgrant.htm and should be submitted prior to the start of the externship. There is a limit of one grant per student. For more information, contact the AASV Foundation: Tel: 515-465-5255; Fax: 515-465-3832; E-mail: aasv@aasv.org.

2013 NPIF interns matched with mentors

The AASV Foundation and AASV Student Recruitment Committee are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2013 National Pork Industry Foundation (NPIF) veterinary internship stipends. Six first- and second-year veterinary students were selected from a pool of 73 applicants to receive the $3300 stipends. Each NPIF intern has been linked with a volunteer practitioner-mentor with whom they will spend a 1-month internship during the summer of 2013. The interns and their mentors are as follows:

• Lauren Glowzenski, University of Pennsylvania; Mentor: Dr Carly Dorazio, TriOak Foods
• Scott Kramer, Michigan State University; Mentor: Dr Andrew Bents, Veterinary Medical Center
• Chad O’Connor, University of Illinois; Mentor: Dr Paul Armbrecht, Lake City Veterinary Service
• Chris Olsen, Iowa State University; Mentor: Dr Scott Stehlik, The Maschhoffs
• Chelsea Scheidler, Purdue University; Mentor: Dr Aaron Lower, Carthage Veterinary Service
• Nathan Sunderman, Iowa State University; Mentor: Dr Nathan Schaefer, Iowa Select Farms

The NPIF Veterinary Internship Stipend Program is now in its fifth year. The stipend of $3300 per student defrays the cost of travel, lodging, and compensation during the 1-month internship. Additionally, the interns are encouraged to utilize their practitioner-mentor as a resource throughout the year and to attend the AASV Annual Meeting and Leman Swine Conference in an effort to increase their knowledge and exposure to swine medicine. Each intern submits a written report and evaluation upon completion of the program.

The AASV Student Recruitment Committee developed the NPIF Veterinary Internship Stipend Program in an effort to attract veterinary students to swine medicine and to provide interested students with exposure to the life of a swine veterinarian. The $20,000 funding for the program is provided by the National Pork Industry Foundation, a charitable corporation that promotes activities in the swine industry related to research and education. The funds are administered by the AASV Foundation.