Engage Warp Speed!
This has been a very exciting week. I’ve been moving at Mach 2 speeds and absorbing as much information as possible. In only two days, I have had the opportunity visit with the offices of 5 different congressman. I have also attended political action committee (PAC) events, a session on antibiotic resistance and a symposium on balancing bioethics, economics and social issues in animal agriculture.
The thing that I have enjoyed the most has been the opportunity to work on the hill and speak about AVMA’s legislative agenda. The three main items we have discussed are the Veterinary Service Investment Act (S. 1709/H.R.3519), Tax Exemption for the Veterinary Loan Repayment Program and opposition to the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act (S.619/H.R.1549). My first reaction to advocating on the hill was an amazement of how young the legislative assistants are. My second reaction was a realization that I truly am the content expert. The rigors of veterinary school does a good job identifying your gaps in knowledge and advocating on the hill does a reminds you that you’ve come away from three years of intense studies with a huge amount of scientific knowledge.
I must admit it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Every new experience has its challenges. I have managed to get myself locked in a malfunctioning metro. I took the bus in the wrong direction and have even had to make a quick call to my mother in order to ask how to keep these crazy skirts from revolving 180 degrees around my waste (they don’t teach you these things in school).
Don’t worry; life in DC is not all work and no play. I’m taking time to smell the roses. I love listening to the bands and street singers in Dupont Circle. I’ve made time for one (okay, two) happy hours; and, I even took the time to kindly explain to a family that the large white building east of the National Mall was the Capital Building and not actually the White House.
It’s a good thing I like moving at warp speed. There is a lot to experience in Washington.