AVMF puts mission into action
Volunteers across the country devoted a day this past fall to educating their communities about the impact veterinarians have in everyday life, from disaster response to food safety to family health.
For the first time, the American Veterinary Medical Foundation expanded the scope of its Our Oath in Action program, creating the AVMF’s 2013 Our Oath in Action-Make A Difference Day.
“This program is all about community education on responsible animal ownership and the veterinary communities’ engagement beyond the clinic,” said Michael Cathey, AVMF executive director.

Texas
Nebraska
Meanwhile, volunteers in Lincoln, Neb., hosted the first Nebraska Animal Fair on Oct. 26 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus Union. Numerous booths housed information on bite prevention, pet first aid, nutrition, and obesity.
Dr. Bruce Broderson, chair of the Nebraska VMA’s Public Relations Committee, said UNL had a strong presence, with booths representing the university’s veterinary and preveterinary programs as well as small animal and large animal veterinary student clubs. Also on hand were Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Capital Humane Society, Lincoln Animal Control, and Lincoln-based therapy dog program Domesti-Pups.
|
![]() | |
| One of the highlights of the Nebraska Animal Fair was a pet costume contest. (Courtesy of Dr. Bruce Broderson) | |
Local practitioners came to give short lectures on the importance of dental care and annual wellness examinations.
“We were fortunate to have a lot of people involved with this,” Dr. Broderson said, noting it was the first time so many Nebraska veterinary professionals got together for this kind of event.
The Lincoln Police Department’s K-9 unit gave drug-sniffing demonstrations, while a local resident whose dog participates in agility competitions demonstrated common training exercises.
Further, the fair had face painting, a costume contest for kids and pets, and an Operation-like game on a board with a simulated dog and cat.
“We got a lot of use out of that,” Dr. Broderson said.
Merck Animal Health donated 100 microchips for identifying pets, and about 65 dogs were implanted.
Dr. Broderson estimates up to 150 attended the event.
Alabama
|
![]() | |
| Dr. Jan Strother, an AVMF board member, attended the Our Oath in Action event Oct. 12 at Auburn. (Courtesy of AVMF) | |
AVMF board member Dr. Jan K. Strother said, “It was a great opportunity for veterinarians and veterinary students from both Auburn and Tuskegee to mingle with the crowd and share outreach information about disaster preparedness for people and animals. Many of the crowd had pets with them and were excited and appreciative of the AVMF disaster-preparedness booklets, along with free bowls and leashes.”
|
![]() | |
| Tuskegee University veterinary students perform a wellness check during the Small Animal Health Fair. (Courtesy of Tuskegee University SVM) | |
Dr. Strother said the event was a huge success, with more than 500 pets being vaccinated and checked for heartworms and intestinal parasites. Owners of those pets received information about preventable diseases.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma put on two events as part of its Our Oath in Action project.
In addition, volunteers Drs. Becca White and Joe Carter repaired the broken wing of a golden eagle that had been injured the previous day.
|
![]() | |
| Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students build enclosures for animals and birds at the WildCare Foundation in Noble, Okla. (Courtesy of Dr. Joe Carter) | |
The documentary will include background information about Oklahoma’s history of severe weather and the benefits of having disaster-preparedness plans in place. Also planned for the documentary is information on the direct impact these storms have on large, small, and exotic animals, such as problems with pet identification, possible spread of infection, and long-term care and adoption of abandoned animals.
“We will show the countless hours that were volunteered to care for the animals and to reunite them with their owners. Plus, there will be some heartfelt stories from animal owners,” said Cheri Kowal, program manager for the AVMF.
The Foundation anticipates a sneak preview of the film at the Oklahoma VMA conference at the end of January 2014. The public premiere will be held in early 2014 at a location to be determined. The public showing will be accompanied by a program and information on disaster preparedness for animal owners, Kowal said.
Overall, Dr. Strother said the AVMF and Our Oath in Action teams thought that this first year’s effort were a great success, so much so that all the participants are already planning for their events in 2014. She added that the AVMF plans on extending the events to additional locations next year.
Anyone interested in hosting a 2014 AVMF Our Oath in Action event
can contact Cheri Kowal at ckowalavma [dot] org or call 847-285-6691
for more information. Proposals will be taken until Dec. 31, 2013.