The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s Summer Food Systems Fellowship (FSF) is a 12-week-long program that offers several amazing opportunities for veterinary students to work within the food animal industry. Both private and public industry partners allow students a firsthand look into careers outside of private practice or clinical medicine. This year, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Animal Industry Division took on two veterinary students, Jacqueline (Jackie) Maeroff and Kayla Niel. Jackie and Kayla will begin their third year of veterinary school in the fall, moving on to clinical rotations in the spring. Though their experiences at MDARD were different in several aspects, both of their summers were filled with opportunities for learning and excitement.
Kayla’s Experience
As a Pennsylvania native, I was beyond thrilled to be offered a position with MDARD where I could learn about Michigan agriculture and how it is regulated and controlled to protect human and animal health. This summer, I worked closely with Dr. Nancy Barr, a veterinarian in charge of Emergency Preparedness and Poultry programs. I spent most of my time working on Avian Influenza (AI) surveillance at county fairs all over the state. I was fortunate enough to get to travel to 15 fairs, including two in the Upper Peninsula!
While a majority of my work focused on poultry, I had several other unique opportunities while at MDARD. Some examples include learning how to carry out different types of inspections, such as hog market inspections and livestock trailer inspections. In addition, I participated in various emergency preparedness exercises and came aware of the complicated coordination efforts required in the event of an animal disease outbreak or a natural disaster. These exercises were eye opening for me and showed me aspects of veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and food safety that I had never considered.
My summer at MDARD has been incredible—in a few short weeks, I’ve learned more than I thought possible. Thanks to MDARD, I am now considering a career in poultry medicine, eventually making my way into regulatory medicine.
Jackie’s Experience
This summer, I worked with the assistant state veterinarian, Dr. Nancy Frank, and the Cervid and Small Ruminant Program director, Dr. Cheryl Collins. I was given fascinating opportunities both at the office and in the field. In the office, I worked with data from privately owned cervidae (deer family) herds and looked at data such as tuberculosis accreditation status and programs and the requirements for movement of animals. I also looked at the data relating to placing quarantines on a positive chronic wasting disease (CWD) animal and CWD testing as both mandatory testing and certified herd programs. I learned a great deal about transportation, animal shelter, and import and export laws that are in place to protect animals and humans.
In the field, I was given many incredible opportunities. Some include taking blood and vesicle samples from pigs and chickens as well as inspecting stockyards and shelters. In addition, I was ecstatic to learn what is involved with tuberculosis testing in cattle, including the caudal fold test, comparative cervical tuberculin test, and the retrieval, preparement, and submission of lymph node samples to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory.
This summer has really been eye opening and fascinating for me and I’m excited to learn about the future involvement of veterinarians in the government and public health sectors. I hope to apply what I have learned this summer to my career, and am considering a return to regulatory medicine after I work in private practice.
"We were given an irreplaceable experience."
As you can tell, we both have been able to explore numerous activities that veterinarians are involved with at the state level. From cervids and poultry to swine and aquaculture (and more), we were given an irreplaceable experience.
We would like to thank the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine Food Systems Fellowship as well as Dr. Barr, Dr. Collins, Dr. Frank, and Dr. Grooms for this opportunity and the guidance they gave us during this amazing summer. The best part is that we still have several weeks left to spend with the MDARD, as well as plenty of other exciting activities ahead!
