AVMA research shows less small animal competition in future

Research conducted by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) shows an increase in demand for large animal, mixed practice and companion animal veterinary care.

Competition, particularly for companion animal vets, is lower due to a significant increase in the number of pet owners.

Visit DVM360 for more information.

How does student support at vet schools in the UK compare to support in the US?

There are four vet schools accredited by the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) in the UK, and students from America are able to study at the RVC, The Royal Dick, University of Glasgow or University of Dublin with the same fees and a degree that is valid in America, albeit to a different standard than studying at an American vet school.

Different teaching methods and a different atmosphere can contribute to certain issues, however the financial demands and the basic course material remain relatively similar.

There are several key differences however, and you can read them in the full study by Fiona Nouri here.

Pfizer partners with AVMA to award $750 000 worth of scholarships

Second and third year veterinary students in America will be able to apply for 300 scholarships offered by Pfizer. Each scholarship will be worth $2500, which should go some way in alleviating rising student debt.

This is the third year Pfizer has offered scholarships to eligible students across America and the Caribbean.

Visit Vetstudentconnect.com or AVMF.org to apply and learn more.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has accredited St. George’s University Doctor of Veterinary Medicine programme for the next 7 years.

AVMA appointed reviewers visited the university in April 2011 and assessed the suitability of the university’s facilities, teaching, policies and professional/degree qualifications.

To learn more about St. George’s University, visit www.sgu.edu.

Citing saturation in the veterinary profession, measures have been passed to peer review veterinary foreign AVMA accreditation. Dr. Katherine Knutson, a Minnesota delegate was quoted: ‘We are not saying it out loud, but some believe there are too many veterinarians.’

The peer review will consider whether AVMA foreign accreditation benefits the public at large and the expense behind the process. Full article from DVM360 can be found here.

Internships will undergo careful analysis in terms of the quality and relevance of the experience they provide for veterinary graduates and students.

Internships can be a key way of gaining vital experience in a practice. However internships can be notorious for their differing quality: some interns are treated to in-depth workings in a company, others are simply there to make coffee and fill quotas. A normalising standard, which this survey will help clarify, would be ideal.

Click here for full details from AVMA.

AVMA has released an enlightening interview with vice-president Jan Strother on changes in education and whether the association does enough for students. Strother herself has direct contact with a large number of students and schools. Click read more for the full interview.

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