VetPAC Impact Report 2022-2023

VetPAC

VetPAC Impact 2022–2023

”VetPAC continues to strive for excellence in mentoring through new experiential opportunities, upscaling networking events, and publication of pedagogical research.”

Dr. Trivedi, Director, VetPAC

INTERNSHIPS

12 Interns

VetPAC Internship

VetPAC interns conducted programming and peer advising for the academic year. The interns successfully hosted multiple events such as the Fall Seminar Series, the Pre-Veterinary First Year Orientation, and the Annual Networking Event. They are also a vital resource for the VetCAMP planning committee; helping them sort applicants, organize materials, and prepare for our summer camp. Furthermore, the interns spoke to potential students interested in attending NC State, raised $2750 for conference travel, and attended the NC Veterinary Conference and APVMA Annual Symposium.

Shelter Medicine Internship

13 Interns

This internship is hosted by the Orange County Animal services and Wake County Animal Center; allowing interns to assist health care technicians with physical examinations, deworming, microchipping, vaccinating animals and surgical preparation as well as conducting diagnostics from the initial intake to adoption. While under the mentorship of Dr. Strong (OCAS) and Dr. McCain (WCAC), interns developed a better understanding of shelter care, animal husbandry, and the daily operations as a shelter veterinarian.

Museum Medicine Internship

9 Interns

Interns assisted museum veterinary staff during routine wellness evaluations, treatments, diagnostic tests, and surgeries for their exotic animal collection. During training, the interns worked with arachnids, invertebrates, reptiles, birds, and amphibians both within the Museum’s living collection and in the wild. Through the Museum’s Window of Life, interns enhanced their public speaking skills to provide public education about the veterinary care of the museum’s animals.

5 Interns

Feline Health Internship

The Orange County Animal Shelter trained five Feline Health interns. These interns gained experience with feline husbandry, performed veterinary assistant skills such as microchip insertion and vaccine administration, and assisted veterinarians with feline spay and neuters, enucleations, and amputations. Besides assisting with foster coordination to prevent neonatal mortality, interns completed the Fear Free Shelter certification course.

8 Interns

Canine College Internship

The Canine College Internship provided enrichment and socialization for the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s stock colony of lab dogs. Interns gained an introduction to lab animal basics and canine handling experience. Utilizing positive reinforcement training, interns trained and socialized the dogs to desensitize them to future activities they’ll be engaged in during labs. The interns also received a current veterinary student mentor and opportunities to work with the staff.

“VetPAC has given me the opportunity to develop as a leader in not only the animal field, but in my community as well. It’s rare to find a space that allows you to grow as a person while also supporting your career, and VetPAC is just that space.”

“The VetPAC internship taught me more than just veterinary medicine – it empowered me to become a confident and effective leader. Working alongside Dr. T. and fellow interns to enhance pre-veterinary resources at NC State was pivotal to my personal and professional growth.”

Connor Thonen-Fleck

VetPAC Intern, 2022-2023

Liz Holland VetPAC Intern, 2022-2023

OUTREACH

122 Campers

VetCAMP

VetCAMP was back in person this year with three weeks of educated fun. Each week-long program included hands-on animal experience at NC State’s Small Ruminant and Equine Units, a behind-the-scenes tour of NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, a suture and small animal basic exam laboratory, as well as opportunities to learn about anatomical systems and dissect a heart and an eye. Campers were immersed in the pre-veterinary curriculum at NC State and got a well rounded perspective on pursuing veterinary school including admissions requirements, job opportunities, and industry struggles. Current pre-veterinary students were also able to connect with campers and provide their insight and individual journeys.

Spend a Day at State (SADAS)

8 Schools/ Career Fairs

75 Students Hosted Total Pre-Veterinary Students in VetPAC

VetPAC interns introduced prospective families to pre-veterinary life at NC State through the CALS Spend A Day At State program. Each visiting family was presented with all that VetPAC has to offer, such as resources, internships, and programs such as VetCAMP. Each family was provided a folder of informational materials including a VetPAC brochure, requirements for accredited veterinary schools, and handouts with tips on applying to veterinary school. Families were also invited to do a Q&A session with the interns to address any concerns that were not covered in the presentation.

High School Outreach Program

The VetPAC interns coordinated and attended a total of 8 in-person high school outreach events that provided presentations and resources to multiple students across North Carolina. In addition to presentations on pre-veterinary life, they discussed college applications, applying to veterinary school, and college experiences.

729 Students

EVENTS

278

Attendees

VetPAC Fall Seminar Series

“Meet the CVM Faculty and Staff” >

The 2022 theme, “Meet the CVM Faculty and Staff” offered students the opportunity to learn from successful professionals at the NC State CVM. Speakers from the CVM’s services included equine, laboratory animal, exotic animal, and emergency and critical care, as well as clinician scientists. Speakers discussed their own career paths, experiences working at an academic center, and research. The planning committee for the fall seminar series consist of two VetPAC interns; Ilena Hall and Madison Henderson.

Pre-Vet First Year Orientation

VetPAC Fall Seminar Series Topics: Clinician Scientists with Dr. Lauren Schnabel and Dr. Tara Harrison

Emergency & Critical Care with Dr. Kat Davros, Alexis MacKinnon & Frank Fialkiewicz

Equine Medicine with Dr. Katie Sheats and Dr. Liara Gonzalez

Lab Animal Medicine with Dr. Marnie Metzler, Dr. Jenny Estes & Dr. Jackie Iadicicco

Exotic Animal Medicine Service with Dr. Greg Lewbart & Dr. Sarah Ozawa (canceled due to Wellness Day)

75 Attendees

The 4th First Year Orientation introduced a myriad of resources and opportunities available through VetPAC. Seminars taught students about experiences that increase VMCAS competitiveness, and how to schedule their semesters to optimize their degree without overburdening themselves. Participants also benefited from a presentation and Q&A panel with NC State’s CVM admissions team. This panel offered insight into successfully applying to veterinary school.

VetPAC Annual Networking Event

195 Students

81 Speakers

The 13th Annual Networking event moved to Talley Student Union with 195 pre-veterinary students meeting with 81 speakers from local general practice, emergency, and mobile veterinarians; as well as representatives from USDA APHIS, Elanco, and others. Students interacted with 7 CVM NC State faculty, spoke to 6 current NC State DVM Students, and visited with representatives from 5 of the NC State Animal Education Units.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION

97 Students Admitted

ANS 281: Professional Development of Pre-Veterinary Track Students

The professional development course was offered as a hybrid course through in-person lectures combined with virtual guest speaker presentations and Q&A panels. Students learned about the profession from a variety of veterinarians including exotic animal veterinarians and the attending lab animal veterinarian both from NC State CVM, financial advisors, and current DVM students. To prepare for hybrid DVM interview formats, one lecture covered CASPer, Kira Talent, and Zoom interview formats by a current VMCAS applicant.

ANS 395: Wildlife Conservation Management in South Africa

32 Students

In South Africa, students get the opportunity to work with wildlife veterinarian Dr. Chris Boshoff through SA World Vets. Students get hands-on veterinary experience with a variety of species such as Kudu, Impala, Roan Antelope, Sable, Wildebeest, Waterbuck, Eland, and Nyala assisting with pregnancy checks, ear tag/microchip placement, vitamin/antibiotic/dewormer injections, properly restraining and translocating the animals, DNA collection, monitoring respiration, and performing a necropsy. Students also work with HALO non-profit for a day to provide free basic veterinary care to dogs in an impoverished South African community. In this experience, students get to learn about Afrikaans culture and South African life by speaking with South African chaperones, visiting Kruger National Park, and interacting with community members.

ANS 395: Wildlife Conservation Management in South Africa

ANS 395: Introduction to Animal Behavior and Veterinary Physiotherapy in UK

Canceled due to COVID-19. Applications were accepted for Summer 2023.

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association Annual Symposium (APVMA)

In partnership with NC State PVMA, VetPAC accompanied 12 students to the APVMA Symposium attended by pre-vets in Louisville, KY. Ross University hosted this year’s APVMA Symposium where students had the opportunity to listen to lectures from professionals in their field, gain hands-on experience at suture labs, participate in mock interviews, and much more. This year we had multiple students from VetPAC and PVMA win scholarships including the BIPOC Scholarship, APVMA Leadership Scholarship, Research Scholarship, and One Health Scholarship.

North Carolina Veterinary Conference (NCVC)

VetPAC supported the attendance of 12 interns to the NCVC in Raleigh, North Carolina. Interns attended seminars on innovative and expanding research including “Practical Fracture Repair in Cattle,” “Updates on Avian Influenza talk,” “Review of Orthopedic Exam with Diagnostic Imaging,” and “Diagnosis and Management of Canine Copper associated and Immune-Mediated Hepatitis.” Beyond attending lectures, interns networked with various veterinary professionals through hosting an informational booth at the Center. Interns commented on their newfound enthusiasm for the numerous career paths veterinary medicine has to offer outside of a clinical setting.

SOCIAL MEDIA

41 Subscribers

VetPAC YouTube

@NC State Official VetPAC

2022-23 YouTube Videos

Pre-Veterinary Advising with the VetPAC Director (35 views)

Pre-Veterinary Advising with the VetPAC Interns (29 views)

Attending the North Carolina Veterinary Conference with VetPAC (34 views)

VetPAC Canine College Internship with NC State CVM (33 views)

VetPAC’s Tips for Acquiring Strong Letters of Recommendation (eLORs) (12 views)

VetPAC Interns (8 views)

386 Followers

725 Followers

VetPAC Twitter @NCStateVetPAC

VetPAC Instagram @NCSUVetPAC

751 Followers

AWARDS & HONORS

VetCAMP Instagram @NCState_VetCAMP

APVMA -Leadership Scholarship ($500)

Beatrice Eddy

APVMA-Research Scholarship ($1000)

Beatrice Eddy

APVMA-BIPOC Scholarship ( $500)

Khushi Patel

APVMA-AAVMC One Health Scholarship ($1000)

Katherine Stalford

VetPAC obtained bid to host the APVMA 2024 Conference at NC State.