College of Veterinary Medicine - Student Organizations

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Student Organizations

Class work and clinics do not constitute a student's entire four-year stay at the College of Veterinary Medicine. Recreational, off-campus, and other activities abound.

Many students elect to join one of several College of Veterinary Medicine student organizations for fellowship and to gain experience in a specialized facet of the profession.

Christian Veterinary Fellowship (CVF)

Leader: Jacob Brookhart
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alex Bermudez

The Christian Veterinary Fellowship (CVF) is a nondenominational fellowship of veterinary students, faculty, and staff who are committed to live their Christian faith in ministry through the profession of veterinary medicine. We provide education and encouragement for those who desire ministery through modeling of Christ’s love.

We meet every month for Bible studies that relate to today’s issues. Our organization also participates in community service projects, prayer meetings, and social activities.

CVF is the chapter of the Christian Veterinary Missions (CVM) that sends veterinarians and veterinary students on mission trips to numerous countries throughout the world.

We invite all interested parties to participate.

Student Chapter of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (SCAVSAB)

President: Teresa Herbers
Vice President: Jennifer Fowler
Secretary: Amanda Burling
Treasurer: Cindy Kubsh
Faculty Advisor: Drs. Carolyn Henry and Debra Horwitz

The SCAVSAB is an organization dedicated to promoting the importance of animal behavior in veterinary medicine, providing students with educational opportunities in relation to animal behavior, and creating and maintaining an affiliation between student chapter members and the American Veterinary Society for Animal Behavior.

This group also seeks to encourage camaraderie among veterinary medical students with an interest in animal behavior and to act as a communication link between practicing animal behaviorialists and veterinary medical students.

Assistance will be provided to students who wish to participate in externships with practicing veterinarians with a professional interest in animal behavior.

Email: animalbehavior@missouri.edu

Student Chapter American Veterinary Medical Association (SCAVMA)

President: Christina Gray
President-Elect: Kacie Nelson
Secretary: Brianne Schneider
Treasurer: Lissa Risan
Wellness Chair: Jessie Cheever
Faculty Advisors: Drs. Eric Pope and Richard Meadows

SCAVMA represents the students of the College of Veterinary Medicine and is recognized by the MU campus as a student organization. The SCAVMA executive board serves as the College’s student council and selected members serve as representatives to the MU Graduate Professional Council. We provide social activities for students, extracurricular educational opportunities, and promote organized veterinary medicine.

Membership requirements include annual dues and a commitment to work at the SCAVMA booth at least one football game while being a VM-1 and VM-2. Meetings are usually held the first Monday of the month, September through June, at 6 p.m. in the Veterinary Medicine Building. Officers are elected in December.

Benefits of membership include: reduced subscription rate for the Journal of the AVMA or American Journal of Veterinary Research, free registration to national AVMA meetings, surgery instrument and clinic coat programs, free AVMA dues for the first year after graduation, eligibility for emergency loans through the local auxiliary and AVMA Foundation, financial support to attend symposiums and meetings, and concurrent membership in the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA).

Visit the SCAVMA web site

Student Chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners

President: Jill Nelson
Vice President: Jesse Blades
Secretary: Josh Schaeffer
Treasurer: Allison Barulich
Reporter: Christine Kirchner
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Miller

The Bovine Club is for students who have an interest in learning about or working with cattle. Monthly meetings are held with various speakers talking about reproduction, nutrition, lameness, and gastrointestinal problems, just to mention a few.

Field trips and hands-on wet labs are also offered throughout the year dealing with various aspects of bovine medicine. Social gatherings and barbecues top the highlights of the bovine club.

If you are interested in cattle, or don’t know much about them but want to learn more, come out and join the fun. All are welcome.

Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (SCAAEP)

President: Heidi Broyles
Vice President: Eric Dent
Secretary: Loni Taylor
Treasurer: Angela Bradley
Historian: Crystal Bazle
Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Cross

SCAAEP is an organization comprised of students with an interest in horses. The club is not only for those who intend to exclusively practice equine medicine upon graduation, but for all who enjoy riding, showing, or learning more about horses.

Dues are $5 per year with optional membership in the AAEP. Meeting dates and times vary, but are posted in advance. Most meetings feature speakers on various topics in equine medicine and surgery. Wet labs (i.e. farriery, nerve blocks) also occur throughout the year.

Social events are held throughout the year.

Student Chapter of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (SCAAFP)

President: Beth Skaggs
Vice President: Rachel Williams
Secretary: Laura McCann
Treasurer: Peggy White
Advisor: Dr. Leah Cohn

SCAAFP is an organization dedicated to educating veterinary students in the intricacies and dynamics of feline medicine. Since it is not feasible to cover all the aspects of feline medicine in the classroom, SCAAFP tries to supplement this material with points of interest and importance for any practicing veterinarian who deals with cats.

Other activities the club is involved in, include hosting a continuing education symposium in the early fall for practitioners in the area. Also visits to nursing homes, group homes, hospitals, and schools to allow the public to visit with members pets and blood donor cats of the veterinary medical teaching hospital, as well as to educate the public on cat care. Each year, the club has a booth at the CVM Open House.

Membership is open to all students of veterinary medicine. We have 1-2 meetings each month from August to May. These meetings include both lectures and wet labs/clinics.

We invite you to join our group and have fun while you learn about the special care of these fascinating creatures!

Feline Club Web Site

Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association (SCAAHA)

President: Cassie Hulbert
President Elect: Kelvin Urday
Secretary: Christine Nagel
Treasurer: Kimberly Hause
2nd Year Representative: Abigail Whiting
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Meadows

AAHA is a national organization whose purpose is to enhance the abilities of veterinarians to provide quality medical care to companion animals, to successfully conduct their practices and maintain their facilities with high standards of excellence, and to meet the public’s needs as they relate to animals.

The student chapter sponsors monthly workshops and seminars in order to give students an opportunity to expand their clinical knowledge and enhance their clinical abilities. It is valuable for students to get some hands-on experience in clinical situations. This is especially true for VM-1’s and VM-2’s who spend most of their time in the classroom. Examples of workshops held in the past include bandaging, suturing, physical examinations, ECG interpretations, and computer management in veterinary practice.

AAHA activities can be very informative and a lot of fun. Input is always welcome regarding what seminars you would like to hear and what workshops in which you would like to participate.

Student Chapter of the American College of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Pathologists

President: Kia Moore
Vice President: Ashley Vincent
Secretary/Treasurer: Kelvin Urday & Christine Nagel
Faculty Advisors: Drs. Craig Franklin and Marlyn Whitney

The goal of the Pathology Club is to encourage veterinary medical student involvement in the field of veterinary pathology and to provide an additional opportunity for its associates to gain professional knowledge. We also contribute to the development of the field at MU though activities involving faculty and student associates.

Such activities include wetlabs, case presentations, and visits to regional and national pathology conferences. Our members are interested in all areas, including diagnostic and clinical pathology, wildlife/zoo pathology, toxicology, and exploring a wide array of career opportunities.

There are no fees to join. If you have any interests relating to pathology, please feel free to attend our meetings. We are brand new as of May 2002, so we welcome your input!

Student Chapter of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (SCAHVMA)

President/Treasurer: Stephanie Knapp
Vice President: Robin Kramer
Journal Coordinator: Shelly Pasternak
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eileen Hasser

The Holistic Medicine Club is an organization that provides educational opportunities in holistic veterinary medicine for veterinary students. Holistic medicine is a rapidly growing field that provides alternatives to traditional methods of healing. This club sponsors lectures on a variety of topics including acupuncture, chiropractics, herbs, and homeopathy.

Monthly meetings focus around lectures by holistic veterinarians. Field trips include herb walks and attending workshops.

Elections are held in January. Everyone with an interest in or questions about holistic medicine is welcome.

Student Chapter of the American Association of Swine Practioners (SCAASP)

President: Jeff Anderson
Vice President: Adam Gundel
Secretary: Mary Green
Treasurer: Josh Schaefer
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Fangman

The Swine Club is for students who have an interest in learning about or working with pigs. Monthly meetings are held with various speakers talking about reproduction, nutrition, and health problems, just to mention a few.

Field trips and hands-on wet labs are also offered throughout the year dealing with various aspects of swine medicine.

If you are interested in swine but want to learn more, come out and join the fun. All are welcome.

Student Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (SCAAZV)

President: Bradlee Twigg
Vice Pres./Secretary: Jennifer Savini
Treasurer: Erin O'Toole
Secretary: Amberle Wright
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Cathleen Kovarik

SCAAZV is an organization concerned with many aspects of animal medicine. Our scope of interest goes beyond zoo medicine, covering aspects of wildlife medicine and conservation, pet bird medicine, reptile and amphibian medicine, aquatic mammals, and fish medicine. We have guest speakers whose research or occupation involves these aspects of veterinary medicine.

There are also symposiums and other national meetings that our members often attend. We also have wet labs involving dissection, physical exams, and other hands-on projects that are not part of the school curriculum. If you have an interest in this organization, we would be very pleased to see you at our meetings.

Student Chapter of the Emergency and Critical Care Society (SCVECCS)

President: Amy Nadolski
Vice President: Meghan Duhadway
Treasurer: Jenny Phillips
Secretary: Christen Jones
Foal Watch: Caleb Hudson
Colic Team: Jessica Snyder
Equine Rounds: Lindsey Vansandt
Large Animal Rounds: Rebecca Plamondon
Small Animal Rounds: Ashley Vincent
FA Rounds: Michael Peters
Critical Care: Kristen Dellacamera
Ventilator Team Captain: Wes Kimberlin
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tony Mann

The Student Chapter of the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (SCVECCS) was established at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1995. It is affiliated with the national SVECCS and its parent organization, the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS). The VECCS and its associated student chapters are dedicated to the promotion of knowledge, skills, and ability in emergency and critical care of small and large animals.

The MU SCVECCS oversees the Colic Team and the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Teams (SAECCT) in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Clydesdale Hall. The Colic Team is made up of first and second year students who assist the equine service with after hours emergencies and a “Foal Watch” for expecting mares. The Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Team is a team made up of second year students who are assigned to evenings (a required shift 6-10 p.m. approximately once per month) throughout the school year to assist in the ICU and to help with small animal emergencies.

Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians

President: Peggy White
Vice President: Maren Bell Jones
Secretary: Kristen Otten
Treasurer: Alison Barulich
Shelter Liason: Rachel Ray
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dennis O'Brien

As an advocate for the profession of shelter veterinary medicine, the Association's mission is to advance the practice of shelter medicine and to further veterinary education and research as it relates to animals' health in shelters.

Student Chapter of the Association for Women Veterinarians (SCAWV)

President: Kristina Barnes
Vice President: Catherine Zivnuska
Secretary/Treasurer: Liana Wages
Faculty Advisors: Drs. Kim Selting and Lisa Britt

The Student Chapter of the Association for Women Veterinarians (SCAWV) was formed in 2005 to support the growing numbers of women at the University of Missouri-Columbia pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine. The purpose of the student chapter of AWV is to provide a support and network group that addresses specific problems and needs of women professionals and students that are NOT MET in existing organizations. AWV student chapters are not intended to compete in any way with existing organizations, but instead complement them. Student chapters of AWV provide a way for women veterinary students to become better acquainted and provide mutual aid, encouragement and recognition through the discussion of such topics as:

Mentoring programs
Self-Defense Seminars
Leadership training
Business skills
Health issues
Work and family balance
Adaptations for pregnant and nursing women
Sexual harassment problems
Resume preparation

The Association for Women Veterinarians is open to all students regardless of race, religion, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual preference, or disability.

Visit our web site

Mule Club

President: Jesse Cheever
Vice President: Jacob Brookhart
Secretary: Josh Schaeffer
Treasuer: Shari Thompson
Faculty Advisor: Drs. John Dodam and James Thorne

Tim and Terry -- the latest pair of College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia mules -- will continue the tradition of travelling far and wide across Missouri. Like their predecessors, Hillda and Louise and Jill and Shirley, the CVM mules will continue to proudly represent the College, as well as the University of Missouri-Columbia.

It is the responsibly of the Mule Club to maintain the mules and the relationship they have established with the citizens of Missouri. No membership fee or qualifications are required to join the Mule Club. Members who wish to drive the wagon in parades must drive the practice sled five times with a VM-2 driving instructor. Mule Club members meet regularly throughout the year at the barn to exercise the mules. Mule Club meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, and officer elections are conducted during the April meeting.

More information about the club can be found at our website:

http://www.cvm.missouri.edu/org/muleclub/index.htm

PALS (Pet-Assisted Love and Support)

President: Alison Barulich
Vice President: Betsy Koch
Treasurer: Annie Beyer
Secretary: Emily Basler
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Meadows

PALS was started in September 1994 by Theresa Bruemmer, a student at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. Students, staff, faculty, or their spouses take their personal pets to hospitals and senior citizens centers. This is intended to increase the socialization and activity levels of patients, decrease feelings of institutionalization, and to provide emotional support and unconditional friendship provided by pets.

All pets must be spayed or neutered, free of all internal and external parasites, attend PALS training sessions, and pass a behavioral and physical screening. Volunteers are required to commit to a one year term.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club

President: Meagan Brophy
Vice President: Heather Stewert
Secretary: Ashley Seder
Treasurer: Daniel Ewers
Social Chair: Katie Horzmann
Publicity Chair: Irene Toll-Schacter
Programming Chair: Whitney Collins
Scholars Rep: Ben Yarnell
Fundraising Chairs: Nicole Denny, Megan Scott, Lea Munzlinger, Stacy Griffard and Casey Conklin

Students engaged in pre-veterinary medical study qualify to join this club. A faculty member acts as adviser. At regular meetings, guest speakers discuss various aspects of the profession. One objective of the club is to bring about a closer fellowship among students who have a common interest in seeking admission to the MU College of Veterinary Medicine.

Click here to visit the Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club web site

Raptor Rehabilitation Project

President: Andrea Miller
Vice President: Justina Strode
Treasurer: TBD
Secretary: Sarah Nabholz
Education Coordinators: Hannah Feltes, and Elizabeth Matye
Facilities Coordinator: Judy Lincoln
Public Relations Coords: Christina Bure, and Savannah Meiklejohn
Faculty Advisors: Drs. Marie Kerl

The Raptor Rehabilitation Project has three goals:

• To give medical care to and rehabilitate injured birds of prey, so that they can be released into the wild.

• To educate students about avian medicine in general and raptor medicine in particular.

• To educate the public about birds of prey and the work we do for them at the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Enrollment is open to veterinary students and interested members of the public, although actual medical treatments of the birds is performed by the veterinary students and faculty only.

The usual meeting place and time is Room W-235 Veterinary Medicine Building at 7:30 p.m. on alternate Wednesdays. Dues are $10 per year or $5 per semester. Elections are held in April.

Raptor Project Web Site

Society of Veterinary Medical Ethics

This group is designed to research and discuss issues involving the ethical use of animals and their treatment.

Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA)

President: Abby Whiting
Vice-President: Ashley Palmer
Treasurer: Veronica Schwartz
Secretary: Kristen Otten
Marketing Chair: Catherine Zivnuska
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ron Cott

The MU Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) exists to fulfill three main goals:

• To increase student interest and awareness regarding issues pertinent to their financial affairs, and to prepare for entry into the job market and/or the veterinary businesses in which they will be engaged in after graduation.

• To involve students in discussions led by knowledgeable veterinary practice management consultants.

• To provide a forum for learning life skills and the principles of successful business management.

Honor Societies

Phi Zeta — This is a scholastic honorary society to which third and fourth year veterinary medical students may be elected.
Gamma Sigma Delta — This national organization recognizes students of the Colleges of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Veterinary Medicine; Human Environmental Sciences; and the School of Natural Resources, who have shown exceptional ability during undergraduate or graduate work. It also recognizes alumni and faculty members who have rendered significant service to the cause of agricultural development.
Graduate Honor Societies — The Rollins Society is the graduate-level organization that recognizes leadership, service, and scholastic achievement.

Other Campus Activities

All students are members of the Missouri Students Association and have a voice in campus affairs. They are offered opportunities to fulfill their responsibilities to the student community through participation in a system of student self-government, with emphasis at the divisional level. There are social fraternities and sororities on campus with national affiliation.

To join any of the clubs listed in this brochure, please visit the:

Office of the Associate Dean for Student and Alumni Affairs
W-213 Veterinary Medicine Building
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Missouri
Columbia, Mo. 65211
573/882-1902

College of Veterinary Medicine
W-203 Veterinary Medicine Building
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-3554
E-mail: cvmwebmaster@missouri.edu

Last Update: May 1, 2008