More than a contest, AWJAC inspires future leaders
For many participants, the AVMA Animal Welfare Assessment Contest (AWJAC) is more than a competition. It’s a life-changing experience that shapes their approach to veterinary medicine and animal welfare.
Dr. Amanda Bisol competed in the 2008 AWJAC as a veterinary student at the University of Pennsylvania. She organized and trained the student team and secured funding for them to travel to Iowa. “All of it helped me grow as a student and a student leader,” said Dr. Bisol, who is now the District 1 delegate on the AVMA Board of Directors.
For the live scenario portion of that particular contest, participants had to evaluate the welfare of animals on a quail farm. It was an eye-opening experience, Dr. Bisol recalled.
“It challenged me to see the pros and cons of various welfare situations and to evaluate them from multiple perspectives. That skill—examining situations objectively—has been invaluable in my career.”
Dr. Chelsey Shivley shared a similar sentiment. Having participated as both an undergraduate and veterinary student, she described AWJAC as pivotal in her journey to becoming an animal welfare scientist.
“It’s not an understatement to say that AWJAC changed the entire course of my career,” Dr. Shivley said. “It opened my eyes to the world of animal welfare science and highlighted the career opportunities in the field.”
Competing in AWJAC led her to pursue a PhD in animal behavior and welfare at Colorado State University under the mentorship of Temple Grandin, PhD.
“That opportunity came about because of AWJAC,” Dr. Shivley explained. “I had volunteered at the contest during my senior year of veterinary school and ended up timing for Dr. Grandin. She mentioned she was looking for a graduate student, and I jumped at the chance.”
Dr. Shivley now works for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as the antimicrobial resistance coordinator for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services’ Veterinary Services, where she applies her animal welfare expertise to improve animal health and reduce the need for antimicrobials.
“Many tools that reduce antimicrobial use, like better nutrition, vaccinations, and low-stress handling, also promote animal welfare,” she said.
Both veterinarians emphasized the contest’s role in developing critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills.
“AWJAC empowers students to learn and think critically, while also helping them articulate their findings clearly. It’s an invaluable experience for anyone interested in animal welfare,” Dr. Bisol said.
Dr. Shivley pointed out the contest’s unparalleled networking opportunities. “Many of the thought leaders in the field are involved as judges or coaches. The connections I made through AWJAC have been incredibly impactful on my career,” she said.
Dr. Shivley also enjoyed coaching student teams, watching them grow over time.
“Seeing my students expand their knowledge and fine-tune their oral reasoning was one of the most gratifying experiences,” she said. “Many of them have gone on to make significant contributions to the field.”