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HSVMA Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of Our

Animal Welfare Symposium for Students

December 2024

By Heather Schrader, RVT, MCJ

Program Manager, Student Outreach

HSVMA was thrilled to be back at the site of our inaugural Animal Welfare Symposium for Students: University of Wisconsin - Madison School of Veterinary Medicine!  Celebrating ten years only seemed fitting to be hosted by our HSVMA Student Chapter on the campus where it all started. The speakers addressed timely topics in animal welfare including TNR and community cats, veterinary advocacy, recognizing and reporting animal cruelty, forensics, neonatal kittens, wildlife in shelters and panleukopenia.  A Rural Area Veterinary Services (RAVS) suture lab was also held for students interested in participating in future clinics so they could gain experience with suture techniques used in the field.

Following the day's lectures, a group of students, HSVMA staff and speakers met at a local pub to chat and network. There were many vet students in attendance from out of state (vet schools at St. George’s University, University of Illinois, Michigan State University, Long Island University and Lincoln Memorial University), so this gave everyone a chance to get to know one another better and share experiences. The following morning, a group had the chance to tour the Wisconsin Companion Animal Resources, Education, and Social Services (WisCARES) community clinic.  A staff veterinarian, Dr. Kelly Schultz, spoke about the services offered and how they provide access to care on a sliding scale for community members.

HSVMA could not have held a successful without the help of our faculty adviser and HSVMA Student Chapter at U of WI – Madison SVM!  A special thank you to our WI State Representative, Dr. Susan Krebsbach, and our OH State Representative, Dr. Michelle Gonzalez, for presenting at this year’s event.  (Dr. Krebsbach was also at the very first symposium!) 

And many thanks to our sponsor, Total Planning Veterinary Services (TPVS) for their continued support of our symposium and partnership to bring discounted disability insurance to our members.  You can find more information about their program here. 

HSVMA helps organizes this free symposium every year and brings together veterinarians and students who are dedicated to animal welfare.  The Animal Welfare Symposium will return in 2025 at a new location, hopefully at a vet school near you!