Veterinary students around the world need the expertise, wisdom, and time of AVMA member practitioners—according to the Student AVMA's International Veterinary Exchange Committee.

Each year, dozens of veterinary students from universities across the globe apply for veterinary externship positions in the United States through the International Veterinary Students' Association Hosting Program. The SAVMA fields applications and places foreign students at U.S. veterinary clinics and hospitals that have expressed interest in serving as host practices.

The SAVMA seeks a national response. The ranks of participating veterinarians have slowly thinned in recent years because of retirements, relocations, and lack of recruitment. Veterinary students worldwide benefit from the clinical experiences they enjoy here—experiences that only practitioners can provide. Practitioners have an opportunity to share their knowledge and special skills with future veterinarians from all over the planet.

The SAVMA matches foreign students with participating veterinarians on file. Once a practitioner accepts a student, the SAVMA international exchange officer gives the host veterinarian's contact information to the student. The student and host veterinarian arrange the details of the exchange and create an experience that is educational yet comfortable for both participants. The veterinarian also can consider furnishing the student with meals and a place to stay, though students are responsible for travel costs and incidental expenses.

A veterinarian who wishes to become a host can fill out a practitioner participation form at www.avma.org/noah/members/savma/ivsa/ivsahostform.rtf. Additional information is available through the SAVMA Web area at www.avma.org/savma. For access to SAVMA members-only sections, AVMA members may enter their AVMA identification number and password.

The SAVMA thanks practitioners for their consideration and their involvement with the organization.