Farewell

The Finale: Veterinarians and Lawmakers

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

State House OKs ‘Susie’s Law’ to toughen cruelty penalty
Bill to muzzle barking dogs fails
Mistreat animals, get stiffer penalties
Council to mull dog rules
Pet Parade: A dog owners’ nightmare
State Law Requires Dogs, Cats to Receive Rabies Booster Ever 3 Years
ND Cattle Brand Inspection Fee to increase
Doyle vetoes raw milk bill
Spay And Neuter Law In Effect Today 
Rabies [...]

The World Is Yours

Friday, February 26th, 2010

As my time here in Washington comes to a close, I reflect on all of my great experiences as an AVMA government relations extern.  I was able to meet with staff from many of the senators and congressmen from the great state of Florida about the Veterinary Services Investment Act and the Federal Loan Repayment [...]

Anything is Possible

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010

Hello all!
So I am writing this after experiencing possibly the pinnacle of my short life. Allow me to explain.
Well, I met with the Legislative Assistant for Congressman Carnahan last week. While I was there one of the Staff Assistants asked if I had been to the White House yet. I answered, “No, I would like [...]

Get out there and speak up!

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Last week, during the AVMA Legislative Advisory Committee and Political Action Committee meetings here in DC, I was asked what an extern does.  I think you would get a different answer to this question from every student that has participated in this externship.  And interesting enough, this question is extremely difficult to answer in a [...]

Final Photo Update!

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Here is a recap in photos of my last two weeks at the GRD.  It has been a great time, and only a small fraction of the amazing things I was able to see and do were able to fit in the blog!

Our meeting with my Congressman, Keith Ellison, in his office

Emily doing the obligatory ‘holding [...]

You better get here

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

The AVMA-GRD externship has markedly changed the way I view our profession. It answered many of my questions about the veterinary world beyond traditional private practice, but has left me with more questions than I originally started with.
At every meeting, my introduction and future career goals changed because each veterinarian in D.C. would plant [...]

This experience has changed me

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

This experience has changed me. I entered as a naïve veterinary student trying to change the world, and now I’m leaving as a somewhat less naïve student trying to change the world.
Throughout my month on the Hill, I met with Senators and Congressmen, lobbied on behalf of AVMA, spoke with veterinarians in governmental agencies, attended [...]

Last Week in Washington

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

“Are you in the Vetch-ri-narian School at Cornell?” asked the complete stranger. He had just tapped on my car window in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and it took a second for my city-boy guard to drop. I mean, do you expect good things when someone knocks on your window as you idle in a parking lot? “Yes,” [...]

Good afternoon, good evening, and good night

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

The end of our time in Washington, D.C. has come, and I can honestly say that it has been an incredible experience. I have learned so much and met so many fascinating people that I leave with a new appreciation of my chosen profession. On days when graduation can’t seem to come fast enough, I [...]

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Friday, June 20th, 2008

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.  ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

As I am packing up to head back to Florida, I am ready to be back in “my world”  with Dave (my fiance), Madeline (the Jack Russell Terrier) and all the other kids I left behind; but [...]