MSU veterinary students Amanda Craig (Class of '16) and Matthew Kuhn (Class of '17) traveled to Capitol Hill with a contingent of 100 veterinary students and veterinarians to educate the nation's policymakers on issues of importance to the veterinary profession.

The 2014 AVMA Legislative Fly-In, from February 9 to 11, gave participants the chance to learn more about the federal legislative process and urge members of Congress to support legislation that impacts veterinarians and the health and welfare of animals.

"I spoke with congressional staff about legislation that directly affects the everyday lives of American veterinarians or the welfare of animals around the United States," said Kuhn, president of the Class of 2017. "I focused most of my time on the Veterinary Medical Mobility Act, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow veterinarians to legally transport controlled substances. As I am studying to focus on large animal research, this issue directly affects the ability I have to do my job in the future."

The Veterinary Medical Mobility Act is one of the AVMA's high-priority pieces of legislation. Veterinarians will be able to treat patients in the many settings they work, including rural areas, emergency response settings, and mobile clinics. Craig, president of the One Health Club and secretary of the Equine Club, also advocated for the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act.

"We met with our respective senators and representatives, or their staff members, to ask them for their sponsorship," said Craig. "I spoke with my representative, Chris Collins of New York, about co-sponsoring the Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act, and its importance to our profession. It was very rewarding to see that, even as students, we can have an influence on the future of our profession."

Other priorities for the Legislative Fly-In were the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program Enhancement Act, the Prevent All Soring Tactics Act, and the Horse Transportation Safety Act. The AVMA Governmental Relations Division, which tracks more than 50 legislative issues on behalf of the organization, hosted the event.

"Our nation's leaders want to hear how bills in Congress affect their constituents, and the AVMA Legislative Fly-in gives AVMA members and veterinary students a unique opportunity to share their personal experiences and advocate for bills that will enhance the veterinary profession and protect animal health and welfare," said Dr. Clark Fobian, AVMA president.

Seventy-one students participated, representing nearly every veterinary college in the United States. Other participants included members of the AVMA Executive Board and veterinarians from across the country.

This year's Legislative Fly-in was sponsored by the AVMA, the Student American Veterinary Medical Association and Banfield Pet Hospital. It is the sixth time AVMA's Governmental Relations Division has hosted this event.

See the AVMA's website for the more on the 2014 Legislative Fly-in and the association's legislative priorities.