Auburn Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (SCASV)

Group Description:

The Auburn Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (SCASV) is a student-led group with a focus on shelter medicine. The organization hosts bimonthly rounds at the local Lee County Humane Society to perform physical examinations and administer preventative care to the resident cats and dogs. The mission of the ASV is to advance and support the practice of shelter medicine in order to improve community animal health and well-being.

Principle activities, events, or programs:

The principal activities of the Auburn SCASV are rounds at Lee County Humane Society. There are approximately 6-8 rounds dates per semester that students can come practice physical examination skills under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Students gain experience handling dogs and cats safely, utilizing their stethoscopes, taking vitals, enhancing record keeping skills, and performing skin scrapes or other diagnostic tests as needed.

Another event we host is our Love the Lens program where members go to the shelter and take pictures of the adoptable pets. The shelter utilizes these images to promote the animals for faster adoptions.

There are also club lunch and dinner meetings featuring relevant subjects and speakers about shelter medicine.

We also participate in fundraising events and outreach events for both the club and the shelter.

How this group’s activities benefit the profession, university, and community:

This club is one of the most involved in reaching out to the surrounding Auburn community. Through our bimonthly rounds, SCASV provides needed examinations and care to the many shelter animals in preparation for their adoption. Rounds also serve to assist Lee County Humane Society by providing diagnostic tests, vaccinations, flea and tick and heartworm preventatives at no cost to the shelter.

Shelter Medicine is one of the newest specialties and this club serves to educate veterinary students about this discipline and future career opportunities in this area. “In addition to an in-depth knowledge about infectious disease, shelter veterinarians must be knowledgeable about several other disciplines, including sanitation, animal behavior, nutrition, husbandry, stress reduction, data collection, veterinary forensics, high-volume, high-quality spay/neuter techniques, and so much more.”
–Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters, 2009, Wiley-Blackwell

How to get involved with this group:

If you are interested in being involved with the Auburn SCASV, please visit our Facebook page for more information. You may also contact any of our officers (listed below) for more information.

There will also be booths with information at Open House and other events at the vet school.

Officers

President: Michele Munkhaugen-Reyes

Vice President: Macie Joncas

Secretary: Kendall Helbert

Treasurer: Darcie Meiman

Rounds Leaders: Amanda Grandy and Kate Hovious

Good Sam Coordinators: Brianna Grandprey and James Mackey

Faculty Advisor(s):

Dr. Amelia White, Dr. Phillip Moon, Dr. Brendan Bergquist

Website (AU Shelter Vets on Facebook):

https://www.facebook.com/groups/114127828688451/?fref=nf