Share your story on 'I am AVMA'

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Everyone has a story to tell, and the AVMA is giving members a chance to tell their own.

The "I am AVMA" campaign kicked off in the Nov. 1 issue of JAVMA with a profile of Dr. W. Ron DeHaven.

The AVMA CEO is one of 24 members whose stories about particular Association benefits and programs important to them will be featured twice a month in the JAVMA and on the AVMA Web site over the next two years.

The Association has also produced a video in support of the "I am AVMA" campaign highlighting the wide range of AVMA services and benefits. Developed by the Member Outreach Task Force, the video is available on the AVMA TV Web site at www.avmatv.org. Click on the "About AVMA" tab, then on "The AVMA, Working for the Veterinary Profession" link and the "I am AVMA" video.

Dr. Kevin J. Dajka, director of the AVMA Membership and Field Services Division, says the "I am AVMA" campaign is an opportunity for members to learn more about the Association as well as the profession.

"Every AVMA member has their own unique story," Dr. Dajka said. "We want to show how broad of a reach veterinary medicine has as a profession and that, no matter what part of the profession you belong to, the AVMA has something for you."

In the first "I am AVMA" installment, Dr. DeHaven recounts how he used the AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia when he was deputy administrator for animal care with the Agriculture Department's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

"We had to evaluate whether or not the facilities that we regulated were using humane methods to euthanize their animals, regardless of whether that was a research laboratory or a commercial dog breeder," Dr. DeHaven recalled.

Dr. DeHaven added that many of the regulations and policies he implemented and enforced at the USDA-APHIS were influenced by an AVMA policy.

The "I am AVMA" Web site (www.avma.org/iamavma) includes a link where AVMA members can relate their own stories.

"We hope members will get a chance to see the stories, learn more about the profession, and want to share their own stories," Dr. Dajka said. "We also hope they learn about a program or a benefit they didn't know was available and take advantage of those opportunities."

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