On the Front Lines of Advocacy
The governmental affairs program works to secure resources in support of academic veterinary medicine. This includes informing and influencing policymakers on important issues that affect agricultural and biomedical research, veterinary medicine's impact on public health, support for animal welfare, and both direct and indirect support for colleges of veterinary medicine.
We monitor, review, and respond to federal legislation or regulation that affects veterinary medical education. This includes maintaining a continuous presence on Capitol Hill that helps to inform decision-makers and the public about the important role that veterinary medical education plays in contributing to society's overall quality of life by educating veterinarians who advance medical knowledge, help to prevent the spread of diseases and pathogens, and protect the food supply.
We reach out to stakeholders, including the government's executive branch, to encourage the development of policies that will benefit veterinary medical education and explain the many ways in which such support will also enhance animal and public health.
The governmental affairs program addresses critical issues in veterinary medical education such as the high cost and – too often— the high debt load carried by graduates. Our work includes supporting initiatives designed to reduce veterinary medical student debt through public and private support and loan-forgiveness programs.
We also work to keep the importance of veterinary medical education in the public’s eye through media outreach and public events that highlight the important role academic veterinary medicine plays in advancing society's well being.
2012 Advocacy Summit
Governmental Affairs Initiatives
Appropriations Priorities for Fiscal Year 2013
Legislative Initiatives