Being a veterinarian is a challenging career - my patients can't communicate with me so everything has to be figured out. I chose to pursue advanced training in surgery so that I could do more to help my patients. Later in my career I began to work in veterinary disaster response and education. I also participate in Urban Search and Rescue and have a Certified K9. I am most proud that I can be there for my patients and the victims of disaster when they need me.

The AVMA has a lot to offer. I was involved in organized veterinary medicine while in veterinary school as a member of SAVMA as a National Delegate, and have been a member ever since. AVMA provides the veterinary profession a voice in government and regulatory decisions that affect our profession. We need to look out for each other across the different practice areas and industries within veterinary medicine.

I was in my residency when 9/11 happened and asked how I can help with disasters. I was familiar with the VMAT program and got involved. I had only been on the team for a year when I deployed for Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. The day after the hurricane, we were deployed down to Gulfport and went into the heart of things. The current VMAT mission includes assessing veterinary infrastructure, providing emergency veterinary care and providing disaster training.

In order to be prepared for a disaster, veterinary practices need to figure out what type of disasters can impact them, and they have to think beyond the headline grabbing disasters. For example, what if another local veterinary hospital or a kennel with 40 dogs catches fire, will you and your staff be able to handle the extra load in order to help the victims? If something were to happen to your facility, do you have insurance to help you with your loss of business? Not only do you and your practice have to be prepared - you also have to get your clients prepared. Do your clients know what to do or what to take with them or where to go? Disasters can impact you, your community, or your state at any time, it is important as veterinarians that we be prepared.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
The AVMA has numerous disaster preparedness resources available at www.avma.org/disaster. For Dr. Brown, educating others on disaster preparedness is her professional passion.