Jonathan Teeple, DVM Class of 2020, is the College’s recipient of the 2018 Smith-Kilborne laboratory, research, and training program. The Program is designed to familiarize veterinary students with various foreign animal diseases that may potentially threaten the nation’s domestic animal population. Classroom presentations on diseases and laboratory experience make up most of this week-long program that is hosted at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center at Riverdale in Riverdale, MD, and the Plum Island Disease Center on Plum Island, NY.
Being selected to represent the College means a lot to me. It is a validation of the hard work I have put into school thus far.”
Plum Island is more than an island off the coast of Long Island, New York. It is home to the nation’s premier defense against accidental or intentional introduction of foreign animal diseases (FADs)—the Plum Island Research Center. The Center serves as the nation’s premier laboratory as it houses 840 acres of animals with foreign diseases that can cause catastrophic economic losses in the domestic animal industries and exports.
Managed by the Department of Homeland Security, Plum Island is a rare asset that few veterinarians have access to. For students accepted into the Smith-Kilborne Program, however, access is granted.
“I am excited to network with students from other DVM programs as well as the USDA,” says Teeple. “I am looking forward to meeting my future colleagues through the Smith-Kilborne Program and leaving a positive impression on them.”
The competitive Smith-Kilborne Program is only open to DVM students who are in their second year. “Being selected to represent the College means a lot to me,” says Teeple. “It is a validation of the hard work I have put into school thus far.”
About Teeple
Teeple is not only an animal and public health leader, but also served our country. As a member of the Marine Corps, Teeple’s role as a hero is already established. “I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to train as a K9 handler when I was in the Marines,” says Teeple. After being deployed with bomb dogs, Teeple trained with and learned from the Army veterinarian who cared for them, who was very grateful to have an extra set of hands.
After the Marines, Teeple completed his undergraduate education at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). While at UC Davis, he was accepted into the Saul T. Wilson Internship Program for the Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) through the USDA’s Pathways Program. Since the Saul T. Wilson Internship Program is open to undergraduate students studying pre-veterinary medicine and graduate students who are pursuing their DVMs, Teeple was able to continue as a Saul T. Wilson Intern when he became a DVM student at the College.
The Internship Program helps pay for Teeple’s education, provides him with paid employment opportunities during summer and school breaks, and offers him the possibility of conversion to a permanent appointment with APHIS upon earning his DVM. In addition, it has helped him to establish and maintain a relationship working with the USDA.
Teeple’s veterinary medical interests
While working in laboratory animal medicine, food animal medicine, and public health areas at UC Davis, Teeple was exposed to facets of veterinary medicine that were unfamiliar but also intriguing to him. His curiosity about these areas of veterinary medicine led him to work for a veterinary diagnostic laboratory in California after he graduated from UC Davis. This experience allowed him to learn about histopathology and pathology and their role in animal and public health.
In addition to working toward his DVM, Teeple is a member of the College’s One Health and Food Animal Clubs, and he works for the National Import Export Service (NIES). “While working for NIES this past summer [2017], I spent a lot of my time reviewing pet owners’ documentation and test results for people planning on international travel with their animals,” says Teeple. “I’m hoping to spend more time with the field veterinary medical officers this summer so I can learn more about what they do.”
Post-graduation, Teeple aims to work in federal service. “My goal is to work for the USDA when I graduate with my DVM,” says Teeple. “I am the first person in my family to attend college. I joined the Marine Corps after high school with the intention of never pursuing higher education. I am most looking forward to the pride that I will see from my family when I get to walk across the stage with my DVM.”