HSVMA Student Chapters Spring into Action

February 23, 2010

The beginning of the Spring semester brings new opportunities for the student chapters of the HSVMA (SCHSVMA) to sThe beginning of the semester brings new opportunities for the student chapters to spring into action for animals and spread the word about HSVMA. pring into action for animals and spread the word about HSVMA.

Here are just a few projects student chapters are working on in the coming months:

Colorado State University: HSVMA Clinic Education Evening

The CSU Student Chapter of HSVMA (CSU-SCHSVMA) will be hosting an education event on February 25 for any student interested in practicing suture techniques.

CSU-SCHSVMA President Flower Marsh, who participated in an HSVMA Field Services clinic last year, organized this event for fellow students to practice their suturing techniques in preparation for upcoming Field Services trips.

"We have not had very much suture practice time on simple models, and the first-year students haven't had any. The nuances that make model practice successful (body positioning, tying knots properly) need to be shown for some learners. It's also good that students get together and make friends with the shared interest of helping animals."

HSVMA Veterinary Field Director Dr. Morgan Peterman, DVM, will be teaching the suture training event, and HSVMA will provide additional support by providing supplies and dinner for the students.

Western University: Veterinary Medicine Open House

On April 3, the WU-SCHSVMA will have a booth at the University's CVM Open House, sharing pet care tips and teaching the public about veterinary medicine, as well as giving Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts the opportunity to earn badges.

The WU-SCHSVMA participated in the open house last year with two interactive activities—both focused on animal welfare—that fulfilled the Service Project badge requirements for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts. This year the student chapter plans to have another interactive booth.

Tufts University

The Tufts-SCHSVMA has many events planned for this semester, including:

Aid for Haiti

Tufts University is holding fundraising events to support disaster relief in Haiti following the devastating earthquake on January 12. The Tufts-SCHSVMA made T-shirts with other supporting clubs to raise money for relief efforts, and, as a sponsor, the chapter's logo will be on the shirt. The T-shirts were sold on campus and raised $2820 for Doctors Without Borders. There was also a bake sale fundraiser that generated $740.

No-cost rabies vaccination clinic

Chapter President Chumkee Aziz will lead a team of students at a no-cost rabies clinic for low-income individuals in Worcester, Mass. later this semester. Chumkee tells us, "This event is so great because, as the only vet school in New England, it's so important that we provide community service to pet owners who might not otherwise be able to access regular veterinary care." HSVMA will be supporting the chapter's participation in the clinic through use of the student chapter's grant money, a sum of $500 which HSVMA provides to student chapters annually to support projects and outreach efforts.

Spay Day

The Tufts student chapter has also registered a Spay Day 2010 event, which includes a lunchtime talk with Esther Mechler of SPAY/USA on February 26. She will discuss the importance of early-age spay neuter and give an overview of the pet overpopulation problem in the United States. The chapter will also create a comprehensive list of local, low-cost veterinary care and spay/neuter clinics to distribute to animal-related businesses in the area.

University of Illinois

The ISCHSVMA also has a few events in the works:

Spay/Neuter events

ISCHSVMA members will volunteer at the bi-monthly PACT Spay-Neuter Clinics, which are run by PACT Humane Society and the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago. Not only are the clinics a good way for student chapter members to gain some hands-on experience, but they also have a great impact on the community; according to Chapter President Peggy McMahon, more than 100 cats are spayed and neutered at each clinic.

Donation event for local humane society

ISCHSVMA will hold a cat-tree making event to benefit Champaign County Humane Society. The donated cat trees will be given to the humane society's cats to use during their stay or can be sold to raise money for other needed items.

How Can Your School Get Involved?

Contact your school's HSVMA Student Chapter to get involved or contact [email protected]. We will then put you in touch with your school's chapter or send you information about how to start one. You can also visit our Student Chapter page for more information.