Last summer I traveled to Liberia with Veterinarians Without Borders (VWB) to teach workshops on transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses at Cuttington University’s College of Agriculture and Sustainable Development. This was my first opportunity to apply my background in global health and veterinary medicine.

Veterinary medicine is first and foremost about people. My experience in Liberia re-affirmed my belief and demonstrated the value of our profession in a global setting.

Liberia is a West African country with strong historical ties to the United States. The country was founded in 1821 by U.S. citizens as a colony for former African American slaves. The country recently endured 14 years of civil war, ending in 2003.

Now one of the world’s poorest countries, food insecurity and undernourishment are lingering problems. The war disrupted the education system and devastated the agricultural sector.

Although Liberia has farmable land and natural resources, food animal production is hindered by poor infrastructure, limited managerial capacity, and a shortage of trained animal healthcare workers.

Liberia has only one trained veterinarian and a handful of livestock officers. Capacity to diagnose animal diseases is low.

I was partnered with Dr. Corrie Brown (University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine) and Dr. Ken Nusbaum (Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine). Before my journey to Liberia, I had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Brown at the USDA Smith-Kilborne Program on foreign animal diseases. Shortly thereafter, we would meet again, this time in Liberia.

The Journey Begins

On June 8, I flew out of Dulles International Airport for Liberia. This was my first time traveling to Africa. I had scrambled, as usual, to pack my bags. I hoped I had brought along the appropriate items, including my mosquito net, malaria prophylaxis, and cash. Liberia functions on a cash-only system, and U.S. dollars are accepted almost everywhere.

After countless hours and a pit stop in The Gambia, I arrived at Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, where a friendly driver was waiting to transport me to a downtown hotel where I would spend the night.

Early the next morning we were back on the road, making the three-hour, pot-hole-dodging dirt road trip to Cuttington University, near the town of Gbarnga.

I quickly learned that although Liberians speak English, dialects can sometimes be difficult to understand. During the ride, I saw little evidence of organized, large-scale food animal or crop production.

We reached Cuttington University early in the afternoon. I was dropped off at the classroom, where Dr. Brown and the students were finishing their lunch. I entered the dimly lit classroom, greeted everyone, and then sat down to a large bowl of rice with palm butter “soup,” a spicy stew.

Twenty minutes later, I was introducing myself to the class and helping with exercises on the pathology of transboundary animal diseases in chickens, goats, cattle, and pigs. I was immediately impressed with the students’ enthusiasm and hospitality.

I would, from this point on, be referred to as “Robba,” which I found more endearing than the traditional “Robert.” I was running on adrenaline, thinking on my feet, and out of my element. I was right where I wanted to be.

Transboundary Animal Disease Workshop

Over the next two weeks, I helped teach students about zoonoses and foreign animal diseases, including foot and mouth disease, Newcastle disease, and African swine fever. Through class exercises, we focused on the pathology of diseases. We also led students through necropsies on goats and chickens.

We highlighted principles of biosecurity, laboratory diagnostics, and epidemiology. Our 25 students varied widely in age and background. They included Ministry of Agriculture employees, Cuttington University agriculture students, and employees of NGOs addressing agriculture-related issues. Many had first names like Thomas, Clinton, Roosevelt, or Washington, which highlighted the historic link between Liberia and the U.S.

Students were attentive, extremely intelligent, and excellent problem solvers. By employing principles of adult learning, including collaboration, group problem solving, and student presentations, we were confident students were absorbing the material.

Veterinary Economic Development in Liberia

During the months leading up to my trip, I learned a good deal about Liberia through independent research and conversations with veterinarians who had conducted development work in Liberia. I knew understanding the country would strengthen our teaching efforts.

I learned about the complex cultural, social, political, and economic factors relevant to agricultural development. But I discovered much more through actually being in Liberia. Conversations with students helped me better understand the Ministry of Agriculture’s goals and contributions of NGOs working throughout Liberia. I learned about the people themselves.

I spent time socializing with students. I went out for dinner with students in downtown Gbarnga, watched soccer games with them, and visited neighboring towns. I had breakfast with students before class each morning. I had to re-discover my social skills.

In Liberia, a typical greeting involves more than a perfunctory “How are you?” Greeting an acquaintance is more genuine and often involves more meaningful discussion of issues. I developed proficiency with the Liberian handshake, composed of a regular handshake lengthened by a quick “snap” of conjoined fingers at the handshake’s end.

With each day, the students shared their personal stories with me, and I shared my story with them. I listened to first-hand accounts of the civil war, heard frustrations of government corruption, and grew to understand the complex factors hindering Liberian development.

As we got to know the students and better understand Liberia, we were able to more thoroughly draw from students’ work and personal experiences to present the material in an effective, context-appropriate manner.

My experience in Liberia was not only about teaching; a large part of it was about building a strong relationship between VWB members and the Liberian people. For Liberia to rebuild its foundation in agriculture and other sectors, long-term work is needed.

An essential component of sustainable development efforts is maintaining relationships while being careful not to nurture a culture of dependency. Soon after my departure, Dr. Carrie La Jeunesse worked with another team of VWB volunteers who focused on ruminant production.

What You Need to Know

I would highly recommend this type of work for other veterinary students and veterinarians interested in broader applications of our profession. But students should realize that these experiences are not vacations or mere opportunities for adventure.

International work can be frustrating. It requires patience, stamina, flexibility, and an open mind. You will benefit personally, learn a tremendous amount about yourself, and evaluate your own country through more mature eyes. Do not assume that your advanced education translates into greater wisdom or life experience.

Do your best to tailor delivery of your technical expertise within the context of your host country. This requires substantial research before stepping foot in the country. Sustainability should always be the focus of your work.

There are many students like myself. I appreciate the role of The Uncommon Veterinarian in providing a crossroads for our collaboration. The veterinary profession in particular must do a better job of mentoring the aspiring uncommon veterinarians in classrooms throughout the world.

I praise the efforts of people like Dr. Brown, Dr. Nusbaum, and Dr. La Jeunesse in fueling the fire of potential in students. The veterinary profession offers a great deal to society, but it can do so much more. Embracing collaborative, One Health approaches will open new global markets for the veterinary profession.

Financial issues aside, our primary motivation should lie in knowing that breaking the mold of the traditional veterinary career will help us increase our contribution to society. Indeed, a One Health approach will help us fulfill our veterinary oath.

Elliott here again:  Thanks to Robert, aka Robba, for sharing about his experience in Liberia! I’ve never been there, but I’m hoping Veterinarians Without Borders still has this ongoing project running when I’m finally able to participate.

Along with being a vet student extraordinaire, Robert is also an Army HPSP recipient and will be joining me in the Veterinary Corps next year!

What else do you want to know about Robert’s experience?

Do you think this type of workshop seems valuable for both participants and instructors?

The post Veterinary Capacity Building in Post-Conflict Liberia appeared first on Elliott Garber.

But it’s past time for an update. The last few months have been a whirlwind of big decisions here in the Garber household. As the wind and rain of December in Sicily rolled around, I was leaning very strongly towards getting off of active duty in the Army. I thought I would probably transfer to the Reserves and piece together some other part-time work while figuring out what came next.

Applying for a Job at the CDC

Then I saw this advertisement on USAJobs for a Veterinary Medical Officer with the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention in Tbilisi, Georgia. The position was based in the CDC’s Global Disease Detection Branch, and it sounded perfect for me. It would involve frequent travel to the other countries of the Caucasus and coordination with veterinary and public health authorities in the region on zoonotic disease outbreaks.

So I thought, what the heck, might as well apply and see what happens. I really didn’t think I wanted to go straight into another full-time job, but this seemed just appealing enough to make it worthwhile. I spent way too long preparing my application and resume on USAJobs, making sure that I carefully crafted them with the goal of honestly presenting myself while meeting all the requirements of the position.

I submitted the application in mid-December and heard within days that I had met the automatic screening criteria. Yay! Little did I know, this was just the beginning of what would turn into a much longer process. I waited about three weeks before receiving a personal e-mail saying that my application had been received at the CDC and was being reviewed.

Then after another three weeks, at the end of January, I got an e-mail saying that I had been selected for an interview! Woohoo! At this point, as you’ll soon learn, I had already committed to something else. I thought it would be worthwhile, however, to continue on with the interview if only for the learning opportunity. And who knows, maybe if I actually got the job there would still be a way to make it happen.

The interview happened a few weeks later. It was a conference call with both the administrative coordinator and eight, yes EIGHT, high-profile veterinarians and other leaders from the CDC. I wasn’t really expecting it to be so formal. Each interviewer asked one question (which I had not been given beforehand), and I spent about five minutes answering each of them. As I was talking, all of the interviewers were rating my responses using some type of system which would help with the final selection of the most qualified applicant.

The whole interview lasted about an hour, and I hung up feeling pretty ambivalent about my chances. I knew that the main areas I was lacking were my lack of academic publications and my boots-on-the-ground epidemiology experience. Sure, I have my MPH and MS degrees, and even the ACVPM credential, but most of my work in the Army has been clinical medicine rather than public health.

I had heard from some veterinary friends at the CDC that it was almost impossible to get this type of position without having done the Epidemic Intelligence Service first. And I can see why this is—it makes sense for the CDC to choose someone from within their own ranks, who has a known quantity of training and skills especially in epidemiology. I know I could have done well in the position, but there definitely would have been more of a learning curve for me than for some others.

So that was that. In early March I got an e-mail saying that the panel had selected someone else. Of course I was disappointed, but I’m glad for the learning experience and even more glad that I wasn’t really depending on this opportunity for gainful employment.

AVMA Fellowship Program

The only other full-time position that I was really considering outside of the Army was the AVMA Fellowship Program. As a fellow, I would have gotten to live in D.C. (near my family) while serving as a scientific adviser to a member of Congress. The fellowship pays about $80,000, so this combined with my Reserve pay and benefits would have been more than enough. I’ve always loved learning about policy and government, so it would have been a really valuable year for me in a lot of ways.

When decision time came, however, I realized that I might be an even more qualified applicant a couple of years from now. I had already committed to the new job before this application was due, so I didn’t even take the trouble to apply.

I was so excited to learn this week that two fourth year student acquaintances and future uncommon veterinarians, Elise Ackley and Chase Crawford were both chosen for the fellowship. Congrats to you both!

What I’m Actually Going to be Doing

Okay, I know I’ve drawn this out long enough! Here’s what happened.

After much debate and discussion, I had decided way back in August that I wasn’t going to apply for a Special Operations position in the Army. This was a possibility that had fascinated me ever since I first learned about the Veterinary Corps, so it was a very difficult decision to make. At the time, it seemed like the right decision for me and my family.

Then in October, long after the application deadline, I got an e-mail letting me know that there might be a new position opening up, and “Are you sure you still aren’t interested?” That was a total surprise. I thought that my “no” had really meant “no,” so I was not expecting to get this message.

As it turns out, the new position was with the Naval Special Warfare Command (SEALs). I knew that the organization had been advocating to get a veterinarian at their headquarters for a number of years, and I had always thought that this would be my ultimate dream job as an Army vet.

So when I got that e-mail, I couldn’t say no. Gotta at least give myself the opportunity to compete for such a unique opportunity to serve, right?

Well about two months later, I got another message, saying something along the lines of, “The position is a go, and you’re our guy!”

Wow. That really rocked my world. I was very close at that point to turning in my official request to resign from active duty.

I only had a couple of weeks to make a final decision. It was one of the hardest choices I’ve had to make in my life, for a lot of reasons. Becca and I had really been looking forward to moving back to D.C. to take advantage of the fact that both sets of parents and most of our siblings would be in the area for a limited time. I was also excited to have more time to pursue my writing and other entrepreneurial projects.

But I knew I would always regret it if I turned this down. I’d honestly been dreaming of this job for almost ten years, and now it was staring at me in the face.

So I said yes! We’ll be moving from Sicily in July to start my new assignment in San Diego, California.

Because I’ll be the first veterinarian in the position, I know there will be a lot of learning on both sides. I’m excited to use my education and training to serve this community of elite warriors in their diverse global mission.

The SEALs have recently begun using a lot more military working dogs, so that will be one primary focus. I’m hoping that I’ll also get to be involved in the clinical care of some of the marine mammals just across the bay from Coronado.

But mostly, I’m just excited for the opportunity to be a part of this team devoted so wholeheartedly to protecting and defending my country. I won’t be quite at the tip of the spear, but I’ll be about as close as we can get as military veterinarians.

Have you made any big career decisions this year?

I would love to hear about them in the comments below!

The post Rejected by the CDC & What I’m Doing Instead! appeared first on Elliott Garber.

I participated in the Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic’s Wildlife Medicine and Conservation Program this past January. The program is taught by Dr. Isabel Paquet-Durand, a veterinarian who started the clinic as the country’s only animal hospital for native wildlife.

The program is well-rounded in the types of animals you get to interact with, as the clinic sees a wide range of pets and native wildlife. It also provides a great way to experience a side of the country tourists do not often get to see.

Daily Activities

The program provides a packed schedule. Clinic days usually begin early at the hospital, when we learned about their current patients. Students get to perform all the necessary treatments, with supervision as needed.

Each day tries to follow a theme with trips and labs being related to the major topic being covered: reptile medicine, conservation issues, wildlife capture and restraint, etc.

Information is presented in both lectures and interactive labs. The labs are sometimes activities to familiarize students with local wildlife, such as assessing x-rays or identifying species based on skeletons or photographs. Often they are opportunities to assist with performing clinical procedures such as necropsies, blood work, or parasite screenings on patients.

Everyone is able to participate in activities to their comfort level. I did a complete necropsy on a parrot and reported my findings, while students who had already been through surgery classes were given the opportunity to complete spays during the clinic’s spay and neuter day.

The schedule is subject to change based on the clinic’s caseload, but I wasn’t going to complain about a lecture being cut short due to a new patient’s arrival!

Field Trips

Most days include some kind of field trip. We visited and were given tours of the Belize Zoo, the Green Iguana Project, the Belize Bird Rescue, and the Community Baboon Sanctuary.

The day trips were very interactive, and the facility we were visiting usually had some kind of project that needed to be done. These ranged from moving wild parrots between enclosures to soaking shed skin off of baby iguanas.

There were trips to places that were less medically relevant as well, such as the Belize Botanical Gardens, which let us get out of the vet mindset and enjoy the real beauty of this country.

Our last two days were spent on Ambergris Caye, a resort town with excellent beaches. Here we were able to go snorkeling, go on a crocodile spotting and tagging trip, and visit WildTracks Manatee and Primate Rescue.

The trips provided a really good overview of everything Belize has to see in terms of their native wildlife and the work being done to preserve it. They also provided opportunities for hands-on experience.

A recurring theme during the trip was the importance of working with local people to conserve wildlife. I learned nearly as much about Belizean culture, history, and livelihood as I did about medicine.

I learned lot about not only the challenges facing wildlife conservation in Belize, but also the challenges facing the people that live alongside these threatened and endangered species.

Logistics

This is a good trip for inexperienced travelers. All of the housing and transport between activities is included; as soon as you get in the country you are taken care of. The accommodations are dorm-style and are located in Santa Elena. This is a residential area a short walk across the river from San Ignacio, which is the more commercial town with stores and restaurants.

The towns are in rural Belize near the border with Guatemala, so you’re far from the typical tourist traps. Evenings are considered free time. We were free to either cook dinner with food from the local fresh market or one of the small dry-goods grocers in town, or go out to dinner at a local restaurant and explore the area.

The food was amazing, with a large amount of fresh fruit available at all times and plenty of unique local dishes. (Be sure to ask about the difference between beans and rice, and rice and beans!) The official language of the country is English (although many locals speak Kriol at home) so communication is never a problem.

All of the people I met there were friendly and inviting. The driver became our guide and part of the group, and he was with us for our whole time in Belize. The people working in the rescues and zoo were very welcoming and accommodating, and there were plenty of opportunities to ask questions and have in-depth conversations about issues in Belizean wildlife conservation. By the time we left, we all considered the people we were working with to be friends.

Costs

Probably the only downside to this trip was the cost. The whole program cost me around three thousand dollars, including airfare and evening meals. I spent ten days there, but they do offer longer programs during the summer that are more cost-effective. Every rescue visited is paid for their time, which helps fund the work of rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. The Belize Wildlife and Referral Clinic (BWRC) itself is partially funded by this course.

So while expensive, the program helps to maintain the wildlife of the most pristine forests in Central America. Organized directly through BWRC, there is no middle-man or internship planning service to pay; all of the money goes directly to the people working to rehabilitate Belizean wildlife.

If you want to see just about everything Belize has to offer, gain some valuable experience working with tropical wildlife at a non-profit animal hospital, and also help to fund the tireless efforts of people working to preserve the country’s natural resources, this is an excellent experience.

Applying is easy, and the deadlines are clearly marked on the BWRC website. You’ll also find a really good summary of the planned activities for each course session. Justin Ford (the course coordinator) is easy to contact by e-mail and is happy to answer any questions.

Elliott here again: Thanks very much to Price for sharing about her experience in Belize! I’ve been a fan of the BWRC on Facebook for a long time. I know that it can be tough to make decisions about which programs to apply for and how much to spend, so I think these personal accounts are really helpful. Please get in touch if you would like to write a guest post about an experience you’ve had.

So what do you think? Does this sound like a worthwhile program for veterinary students?

Have any of you participated in something similar elsewhere in Central America or around the world?

The post Wildlife Medicine & Conservation Program in Belize! appeared first on Elliott Garber.

Rabies, salmonella, fat content, and instant recess. All these things may seem unrelated, but they really have a lot in common! You’ll learn about all of them and more when you participate in the Summer Undergraduate Residency in Public Health (SURPH) at Kansas State University.

Last summer I had the pleasure of participating in SURPH. I hope to be involved in public health as a veterinarian, and since SURPH was housed at the veterinary school and directed by a public health veterinarian, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get to know first-hand about vets in public health.

I was initially a little leery about the program because there are four emphasis areas covered: infectious and zoonotic disease, food safety, public health nutrition, and public health physical activity. Infectious and zoonotic diseases and food safety were right up my alley. I had little to no interest in the other two.

But I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I applied and was accepted on scholarship in early spring semester. Before I knew it I was headed off to Kansas!

SURPH was a phenomenal experience. The program is a lecture based class, part of the Pathways to Public Health at K-State. Guest lecturers would come in and speak to us about the emphasis area they are involved in. We had veterinarians, nutritionists, fitness instructors, and researchers in many fields. Each one had fascinating stories and a true passion for their profession.

Each lecturer wanted us to enjoy what we were learning and made each experience fun. I ended up enjoying all emphasis areas, and I was able to relate all of them back to veterinary medicine.

Another part of the program was the field trips. My personal favorite was visiting the Rabies Laboratory. We started with a great discussion about the virus, and then we were able to see how the lab functioned. Another favorite was visiting the public health extension office in Topeka. We learned about teaching nutrition in school systems and were able to make some very tasty treats!

There were optional portions of the program as well. We were able to see the bison research herd, the salt mines, and the cosmosphere. There were also cookouts and helpful professional school lectures.

Although we had lots of fun, we did have work to do. SURPH is an eight week, two credit course. There was a writing component where we were asked to evaluate each activity and its relationship to public health. There were also other types of projects, but they were all very fun to complete.

How Do You Pay for It?

The program size is small; we only had eight participants. Thankfully the program was funded by One Health Kansas. The funding covered the in-state tuition cost, dorm-style housing on campus, and a meal plan on campus. With that you are also able to take advantage of the other campus resources including the recreation center and library printing. The only cost I had to pay for was my travel and the difference in out-of-state tuition.

I did some exploring while I was in Kansas, so my expenses were higher than most of the other participants. The state of Kansas is absolutely beautiful and I am so happy that I was able to participate in this impressive program.

If you are thinking of going into public health as a veterinarian, or looking for other professions in the public health field, I highly recommend applying for SURPH. The instructor and lecturers are phenomenal and always willing to have a discussion about these fascinating topics. Find more information on the program and application here.

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Elliott here again: Thanks to Kelsey for sharing about this summer program! It sounds like something I would have been really interested in doing myself. I’m sure it would be helpful both in shaping your own career goals and in demonstrating to veterinary schools that you are a well-rounded applicant with unique interests.

I heard from the program director, Dr. Kimathi Choma, that there are still spaces available for this summer. He also let me know that international students are definitely eligible to apply and can also receive the program funding on a case-by-case basis.

Does this look like something you might be interested in applying for, this summer or sometime in the future?

Do you think a program like this would have been helpful in exposing you to these uncommon veterinary fields at an earlier stage in your education?

The post Summer Plans? Check Out the Summer Undergraduate Residency in Public Health. appeared first on Elliott Garber.

Hi, folks! Elliott asked me to write a short bit on my experiences as a freelance writer in hopes that I may impart some helpful tips for those out there who may be writing and not getting published, or not getting paid, or otherwise not getting where they might want to be. So, here goes.

I’ve been writing freelance, nonfiction animal/veterinary pieces for (sometimes sporadic) pay for just over ten years. My first paying gig was for a small regional magazine called Rocky Mountain Rider. Although my list of published pieces steadily grows, freelancing is still a hobby for me and I am still a veterinarian first. The freelance business is so capricious; nothing is guaranteed, as publishing houses can and do file for bankruptcy. Such an unpredictable nature makes me inherently nervous and I can’t see myself ever trying to make freelancing my sole source of income. Nevertheless, I enjoy writing. I also enjoy the veterinary profession, so combining the two is extremely fun and rewarding for me.

I’ve always been writing; it is an ingrained habit I’ve had all my life, so the concept of pitching ideas to magazines was sort of the next natural progression. For the first six or seven years of freelancing, my modus operandi was as follows: get an idea, write an article, query some magazines where the article might fit. Sometimes this worked, many other times it didn’t.

Growing up, I read, no, devoured magazines like Horse Illustrated, Dog Fancy, and Cat Fancy. These glossies, with national readership, were the cream of the crop. In order to grow my list of writing credentials, I queried smaller magazines, thinking I had a better chance at getting published in those. I searched through the most current edition of the Writer’s Market to find editor contact information and publications that might like what I had to offer.

What, then, did I have to offer? My first published piece was about the differences in the horse industry between the UK and the US. A general interest piece, it was lighthearted and I imagined an easy fit for a small-time print. So, I wrote the piece, then queried Rocky Mountain Rider. To my surprise, a few weeks later, the editor replied with interest. So, in went the article and I was paid my first writing check: $28.50. I was over the moon. This was in 2002.

And so it went. I’d think of an idea like: “Ten Tips for Dog Safety in the Water” or “Horse Sense” or “Desensitization: a training approach for puppies,” then I’d write it, then I’d query. If I received a rejection, and I received lots, I’d pick another publication. Slowly, slowly, my list of published works grew, which in turn opened more doors.

In terms of pay, it has been all over the place. I have written stuff for free and sometimes still do; whether you do this or not is a personal call and I find greatly depends on the venue. As far as real paychecks, it depends mostly on the size of the readership. For published magazines, a small time print may only offer in the range of $50-200 for say, a 1000 word article. But take a larger, nationally known magazine like Dog Fancy, and you’re looking at $400-$600, depending on the length of the piece. Web-based stuff is much more variable and it can be very hard to gauge what you might get paid, or what is ok to ask for. A general 1000 word piece might catch $100-200 for a small to medium-sized site, but something like wired.com or salon.com I would hope would fetch far more (maybe someday I’ll find out!).

As the internet has grown, the publishing world has changed. This has been both a curse and a blessing for the freelance writer. An almost untold number of websites have sprung up, and a lot of these sites need content writers. The Internet can be a great place for new writers to build credentials, but I also feel the instant gratification of the web can make people sloppy. Evaluate each site critically before submitting stuff. Is this a site you’d want your name tied to? Does the rest of the content seem high quality and reputable?

My writing routine has changed a bit since I first started. Now I pitch an idea to an editor before I actually write it. This is mostly due to the fact that I now write many pieces that include multiple interviews. I don’t want to interview folks if I haven’t already received the green light from an editor. Where do I get my ideas for pitches? Any crazy thing that pops into my brain is fair game. I enjoy the more unique aspects of veterinary medicine and agriculture/animal science and I like to give things a little twist. This then sometimes results in situations where I find myself frying Rocky Mountain Oysters. But, anything for a byline, right?

These days, where “Dr. Google” is the bane of every veterinarian’s (and physician’s) existence, I feel it is more important than ever for veterinarians to write articles for online and print. Too many “pet experts” and “pet lifestyle consultants” are writing pieces on flea control, dental health, and other health topics. Veterinarians who write, I believe, should be a commodity in demand as true experts in the field.

I still get rejection letters. I think this is just the nature of the freelance writing business, no matter if you’re just getting your toes wet, or if you’ve been playing the game a long time. As always, don’t ever give up. Ever. If your writing is solid and the topic is marketable, there is a place for it; it’s just a matter of finding that place. A cool thing to remember is that what is one editor’s trash may be another’s treasure. Plenty of my queries that were rejected by one magazine were picked up by another. Create, write, pitch, repeat. I think the last step is the most important.

Elliott here again: Thank you Anna for sharing your story as a freelance writer!

If you’re interested in connecting further or would like to find more examples of some of Anna’s work, be sure to check out her blog, VetWrite, and follow her on Twitter. I love her regular Vet Word of the Day feature on Twitter especially.

This topic is of special interest to me, because I’ve only ever been paid for two things that I’ve written. I’m hoping to up that count in the near future, and I have a lot to learn from other vets like Anna who are already doing it.

Have you been paid for writing something that utilizes your veterinary expertise? What hints can you share with the rest of us?

Do you have any questions for Anna?

The post Veterinary Freelance Writing: How to Make Extra Money with the Skills You Already Have appeared first on Elliott Garber.

#1: A New, More Humane Way to Euthanize Stranded Whales

If you saw an animal slowly suffocating to death—and there was no hope of saving it—what would you do?

This is a question faced by those who respond to whale strandings all over the world. Aquatic animal veterinarian Craig Harms from N.C. State recently led a team in developing a more humane and environmentally friendly method of euthanizing these suffering creatures.

Get the full story from National Geographic here.

#2: Funded Aquatic Animal Veterinary Student Experience in Norway

Want to spend two weeks working with aquatic animal veterinarians in Norway? And get paid to do it?

The post Top 5 Uncommon Veterinary Stories You Don’t Want to Miss appeared first on Elliott Garber.

Are you ready to take the next step?

You’ve been dreaming of doing something out of the ordinary for quite a while now, but the odds and ends of life keep getting in the way. I know how it is.

So that’s why I’m here again to share about some unique educational opportunities that could be just what you need. These funded PhD programs, located all over the world, will let you explore a new field while opening new windows on an uncommon veterinary career.

You’re not going to get rich, and one more degree isn’t going to be some sort of magic ticket to professional success. It will, however, connect you to a whole new community of interesting colleagues and meaningful research projects.

Wildlife Ecotoxicology at the University of Florida

Unfortunately for our wildlife and their environments, this is an emerging field with all sorts of interesting career possibilities. Wildlife toxicologists work for everyone from oil companies to universities, government regulatory agencies to conservation organizations.

This PhD position through the University of Florida will specifically have you studying the effects of methylmercury contamination on reproduction in free-ranging long-legged wading birds in the Everglades of Florida. Sounds like a pretty cool combination of field work and lab analysis that will set you up well for this exciting new career.

The position is provided with a stipend, tuition, and field research funds, and the application is due by 15 March for an August 2014 start. Get all the details in this PDF.

Epidemiology of Campylobacter in Kenya through the Royal Veterinary College

I’ve learned firsthand that poultry is one of the most important sources of animal protein worldwide. This PhD studentship through the Royal Veterinary College, London, will aim to better understand the epidemiology of campylobacter infection in Nairobi, Kenya, by investigating its public health significance, transmission routes, contamination mechanisms, possible drivers and options for control.

The three-year program will involve travel between London and Nairobi, and you will be involved with both data collection from animals and people as well as epidemiological modeling of your results.

Unfortunately, these funded studentships through the RVC are only available to citizens of the United Kingdom and European Union. The application is due on 23 February, 2014, and you can find all the details here.

African Carnivore Energetics & Biomechanics through the Royal Veterinary College

Here’s another cool opportunity through the RVC to spend some time in Africa while picking up serious skills in wildlife research. The PhD studentship is part of a major grant called “LOCATE: Locomotion, hunting, and habitat utilization among large African carnivores and their prey.”

The description sounds pretty awesome, involving GPS tracking collars, aerial filming systems (aka drones), and lots of wildlife capture. When you’re not in London, you’ll be based at the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust while traveling all over southern Africa.

Again, this program only comes with funding if you are from the UK or EU. You can learn about the details at this link, and also explore a very similar position focused on African migratory herbivores here.

Cancer in Tasmanian Devils at the University of Tasmania

Yes, you read that right! Did you know that the endangered Tasmanian devils suffer from a novel contagious cancer? This PhD position will put you right in the middle of the action in working to prevent the extinction of this unique species, while you acquire skills in field trapping and molecular genetics.

You’ll also get to live in the very fun and friendly city of Hobart while based in the Zoology Department at the University of Tasmania.

Scholarships are available for students from all over the world, but they must be applied for separately and are not guaranteed. Read all the details in this PDF.

Wildlife Parasitology through the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research

Does the idea of spending two or three years in Berlin, Germany, seem appealing but a bit intimidating? Well here’s your chance to experience Europe while on the fast-track to a PhD at Germany’s premier wildlife research institute. Best of all, the whole degree is in English!

There are four potential projects:

• Transmission of pathogens in an urban predator-prey system using the goshawk and the feral pigeon as an example.

• Haematophagous arthropods as vectors for avian malaria and selected viruses.

• Parasite and pathogen fauna of Anatidae and their potential as vectors for swimmer´s itch.

• Identification and prevalence of Sarcocystis species in mammals and birds as intermediate and definitive hosts.

I just got an e-mail from one of the graduate program coordinators who confirmed that the program is open to applicants worldwide and that the net stipend (after health insurance and other social benefits have been taken out) would be around 1200 Euro per month.

Read all about the institute and the projects at this link. Applications are due by 11 February 2014 for a June 2014 start date!

So there you have it. Who’s to say you can’t just run off to Germany, Australia, Africa, England, or Florida for a few years? All of these opportunities will provide you with just enough financial support to live off, and they will open doors that you currently can’t even imagine.

If you don’t enjoy the path you’re currently on as a veterinarian, these are just a few examples of ways that you can branch out and try something new. It won’t be easy, but that never stopped you before, did it?

Will you consider taking the crazy step of submitting an application to one or more of these PhD programs?

What’s holding you back?

The post Veterinary PhD Programs: Wildlife, Infectious Diseases, Food Safety appeared first on Elliott Garber.

Dumela! Have you ever dreamed of doing wildlife research in Africa?

And I don’t mean the Africa that involves 5-star accommodations or air conditioned safari rides. I mean the Africa where your tent is both your place of rest and the only thing between you and the hyenas that come by camp at night. I’m talking about the Africa where you always need to secure your food, otherwise baboons will take advantage of your carelessness.

This is the real Africa; where the heat can be fierce, the snakes can be plentiful, and lions sing you to sleep with their haunting calls. It may sound intimidating at times, but it was the best three months of my life.

I participated in a study abroad program with Round River Conservation Studies for three months in Botswana this past fall of 2013 during the first semester of my junior year at the University of Vermont.

Conservation is the focus of all of Round River’s programs, but the program in Botswana is centered on wildlife research in the form of the collection of spatial data (Concession Area, GPS location, etc) and non-spatial data (Age, Gender, Habitat, etc) of herbivores in the Okavango Delta Region.

The data we collected throughout our time in Botswana will be used by natural resource managers and researchers at the Botswana Department of Wildlife and National Parks and the Okavango Research Institute. Round River also works with SAREP (Southern Africa Regional Environmental Program), a USAID-funded program, to implement effective wildlife monitoring methodologies.

Since wildlife tourism is one of Botswana’s major industries, all land-use management has massive impacts on the country in regards to human, environmental, and animal health.

Valuable Pre-Veterinary Experience (The Good Stuff)

This program involved no direct hands-on veterinary experience with animals. The focus of the program is conservation research and exposing students to real conservation initiatives.

While there is no hands-on veterinary experience, there were many other aspects that I found invaluable to a pre-veterinary education. The curriculum allowed me to become familiar with lots of topics such as community-based natural resource management, conservation genetics, ecological economics, and ecotourism.

Round River programs capitalize on chance encounters with researchers that are visiting their study areas. For example, we got to help a Ph.D. student with camera trap (like the male leopard below) and spoor surveys of large carnivores.

I also had the chance to meet a wildlife veterinarian visiting from Malawi and talk to her about zoonotic diseases and other emerging diseases in Botswana. Another day, I got to meet the director of Botswana Predator Conservation Trust (BPCT) and ask him questions about the conservation of African wild dogs and long-term implications of the current hunting ban in Botswana.

Each day involved meeting new people and hearing different perspectives on conservation. These experiences greatly heightened my understanding of the many roles that veterinarians can play in conservation.

Based on my experience in Botswana, I feel that gaining conservation research experience and talking to professional researchers is essential for anyone that wants to have a career in conservation medicine or any other “One Health-minded” discipline.

Funding, Logistics, Benefits

The program provides students with up to 15 credits for 5 courses taught in the field. These credits are transferred from Utah State University. The classes involve lots of journal entries, discussions of scientific papers, individual or small group mini-research projects and learning the natural history of Botswana.

The total cost of the program is $17,200.00 and I was able to use financial aid towards my tuition. Since all housing, meals, and ground transport were covered for 12 weeks and I received 15 credits from Utah State University, I think it was a great value.

We were in the bush for a large majority of the trip, making the trip essentially like a 12-week safari. A 12-week safari through a commercial safari company with all accommodations covered would have been ridiculously expensive. The only personal expenses required were for gear and clothing (which can be very inexpensive by going to gear-exchanges) and plane tickets (approximately $2,000.00).

Since Round River is accredited through Utah State University, many schools accept Round River programs for whatever normal financial aid or loans you receive. Round River also has need-based scholarships available.

Life in the Bush: “This is Botswana”

Personally, I was a little worried about what our diets would consist of during the semester. However, it was not a problem at all and I actually learned how to make a decent meal over a campfire. Our diet mainly consisted of oatmeal, beans, rice, pasta, and vegetables when we could acquire them.

Car repairs and subsequent schedule delays are another bush reality that should be expected when conducting this type of research. Students should also be prepared to live in a small group (10 or less) throughout the entire semester.

When I mentioned that this experience is the “Real Africa,” I meant it in every way. In some of the places we camped, there were no outhouses or showers, so we dug our own latrines and took sponge baths instead. Perhaps the harshest reality in the African bush is the threat from predators, which we managed on a daily basis.

As a general rule, our entire group stayed in tents or around a campfire once the sun went down due to many occasions when lions, spotted hyenas, leopards, and a variety of snakes (black mambas, Mozambique spitting cobras, and more) were spotted near camp.

As one of the local escort guides told me with evident pride, “Remember, at all times, this is Botswana.”

—

Elliott here again. Thanks to Ben for sharing about his experience in Botswana! It does sound like an incredible experience, and I know it will help him stand out from the crowd on those vet school applications.

The main thing that gives me pause is the price tag for the program, but I also know that it is pretty equivalent to the normal cost for a regular semester at most private colleges and universities.

Make sure you check out some of the other posts I’ve written about opportunities in Africa here.

Has anyone else participated in a program like this, in Africa or elsewhere in the world? Do you have any idea of what kind of impact it had on your success with vet school applications?

The post Pre-Veterinary Internships Abroad: Wildlife Conservation in Botswana appeared first on Elliott Garber.

Are you looking for some way to pay for a unique international internship or research opportunity next summer? Or maybe you’re feeling worn out and need an even longer break from the rigors of vet school. How about a year long sabbatical, in which you gain valuable connections and experience while also getting to travel the world?

The Boren Fellowship is a unique program that provides the funding necessary for U.S. graduate students to spend a minimum of 12 weeks and maximum of two years studying overseas. You can receive up to $24,000, which can be used to cover everything from travel to insurance to housing and language courses. That might not seem like a lot of money, but it should be more than enough to cover all your expenses for up to a year away from vet school.

I applied for and received a fellowship that enabled me to spend time in Mozambique studying Portuguese and working on a Newcastle disease virus program and interning with the national wildlife veterinarian. You can read more about my experience and see lots of photos here.

As long as you are doing the required language study, the fellowship program doesn’t get too involved in how you spend your time. They do require that your study program and future goals relate in a broad way to national security, which encompasses “not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.” This makes for a very flexible experience and explains how I could be involved in both the agricultural development program and the wildlife veterinary side of things.

As with most funding sources, this one comes with a few little quirks.

First, you can only study a language  in a country that is critical to U.S. national security interests, as defined by the National Security Education Program.  Second, you will incur a one year Service Requirement if you receive a Boren Fellowship. This must be spent working in any area of the Federal Government, so for veterinarians that could be the Army, USDA/APHIS, CDC, NIH, etc. This was easy for me since I was already committed to service in the Army from my Health Professions Scholarship Program, and the commitments ran at the same time.

Given the generous nature of the funding available, the Boren Fellowship comes with some pretty hefty application requirements. Don’t let that scare you off, though! If you plan things ahead of time, you should have plenty of time to put together some compelling essays and make the necessary contacts for a competitive application.

Once you start going on this funding scavenger hunt, you’ll realize that you can also reuse a lot of your essays for different applications with only a few tweaks here and there. Remember, your goal is to sell yourself and your unique contributions as a veterinary student in the most appealing way possible.

The deadline for the application is January 28, 2014.

Good luck!

P.S. Don’t forget to head on over to this post for more details and photos about my own experience in Mozambique.

The post Boren Fellowship: Money for International Study appeared first on Elliott Garber.

I thought it would be fun to do a quick round-up of the most popular stories I shared over social media in 2013. It was so inspiring to browse back through all the photos, articles, videos, blog posts, and job advertisements from the last twelve months.

So without further adieu, here they are, in descending order from least to most popular.

#13

Great news! I passed the ACVPM specialty board exam! Read this new post on the blog for all the information you need about studying for and passing the exam yourself.

#12

One perk of being a veterinarian in the Army: watching an active volcano erupt out your kitchen window! This is happening right now here in Sicily. [And has happened many times since over the course of the last year!]

#11

It’s finally here! I’m excited to announce the launch of The Uncommon Veterinarian Podcast. Listen to my interview with wildlife veterinarian and infectious disease researcher Dr. Jonathan Epstein, and keep an eye out for regular bi-weekly episodes!

#10

Are you looking for wildlife veterinary training in South Africa that won’t break the bank? Read all about my vet student internship in Kruger National Park in this new post on the blog! I spent a few hundred dollars total for two of the most exciting weeks of my life.

#9

This new article from U.S. News & World Report discusses several federal and state loan repayment programs for veterinarians!

#8

Great story from National Geographic about wildlife surgeon Romain Pizzi’s groundbreaking work in Laos! After you read the article, check out his personal website here.

#7

One of the bomb-sniffing military dogs under my care was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan last year. I’ve been waiting for the right time to share his story, and that time has finally arrived.

Check out this new post on the blog to learn the back story on my recently published New York Times article about Dinomt’s death.

#6

I’ll be writing about my awesome experiences on three RAVS trips sometime soon, but you should all check them out now to start planning! This was on the Zuni reservation in New Mexico.

#5

Why is it that I love giant anteaters so much? Learn how you can become an anteater anesthesia expert at the National Zoo here.

#4

Ahh, this is totally my dream job! Unfortunately I’m not quite there with the minimum qualifications… yet. Any of you able to move to Rwanda in December to start working as a veterinarian with the Gorilla Doctors? $5000/month + room/board, vehicle, & benefits: not bad!

The actual job listing for this is now expired, and Dr. Jan Ramer has returned as the Regional Veterinary Manager after previously holding the position from 2009 – 2011.

Check out my interview with director Mike Cranfield here.

#3

Did you know that Veterinarians Without Borders (both U.S. and Canadian versions) accept volunteer veterinarians and students to assist with their life-changing work all over the world?

Read about Cornell student Chelsea Anderson’s experience in Liberia in this post on the blog.

#2

Here’s a highlight from my Army career so far. This was one of the dogs I took care of during my assignment in Egypt. She was hit by a car and suffered a brachial plexus avulsion injury, which resulted in the amputation. It was my first solo amputation, but she did great and became a very happy tripod!

And coming it at #1:

Check out this figure from a new essay in the New England Journal of Medicine titled, “Are We in a Medical Education Bubble Market?”

As you can see, our profession doesn’t look so good.

Don’t let this get you too depressed, though: the job market for us uncommon veterinarians is a whole lot better!

—

So there it is! The top 13 stories I shared in 2013.

Now that Facebook is seriously restricting the number of “fans” who actually see each story, I’ve been considering doing a weekly wrap-up of my daily posts here on the blog.

Is that something you would be interested in?

Any other suggestions on better ways to spread the word?

The post Top 13 Uncommon Veterinary Stories from 2013 appeared first on Elliott Garber.