Because of the frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters, emergency medical training is a key component of veterinary education. That is why the American Veterinary Medical Foundation will begin sponsoring disaster-related training sessions this year.

AVMF will sponsor state, regional, or national training sessions aimed at preparing veterinarians to care for animals before, during, and after a disaster. Up to $5,000 is available per session.

An organization may apply for sponsorship of one training session per year. A total of five sessions may be sponsored in 2008, depending on application merit and availability of funds.

For application information, visit www.avmf.org, or contact Monique Buonincontro, AVMF grants coordinator, at (800) 248-2862, Ext. 6691; or e-mail her at mbuonincontro@avma.org.