GOOD NEWS! In Your Schools And Libraries
LGVMA does its best to provide veterinary schools and libraries copies of its newsletter, Good News!, as part of its outreach to those in need. You can find a copy in the libraries at Cornell University and UC-Davis. Please let us know if your school is without one. We need your help in identifying those administrations that may feel our organization is not worthy of public awareness. Hopefully, all schools have an LGVMA newsletter file since we have been sending newsletters for many years. Many librarians actually contact us when they miss an issue!We are also hoping to advertise in SCAVMA’s Intervet magazine and always look forward to more student input and advice.
Welcome to New Student and Technician Representatives
This summer, we gained two new members....and two new members of the Board. Jeffrey Berkshire was appointed as Student Representative to complete the term of Tara Estra who graduated from Cornell University(congratulations Tara!) and Mike Patrick, CVT was appointed to the new position of Technician Representative to the board.Jeffrey is a second year student at the Atlantic Veterinary College at Prince Edward Island, Canada and Mike is a long-time active member of the Florida Veterinary Technician Association. Jeffrey has been working to set-up a network of student LGVMA members, including the creation of formal student chapters at as many colleges as possible, with hopes of creating a permanent presence at as many veterinary colleges as possible. Mike is interested in helping us reach out to more technicians and technical assistants. We welcome Jeffrey and Mike on board - they can both be contacted via the LGVMA website.
Out and Proud at The Atlantic Veterinary College, PEI, Canada!
In August of 2001 I was nervously packing my bags about to embark on a new and exciting chapter of my life - just like every other member of the SCVMA and SAVMA, I was soon to begin my first semester of vet school. Why was I nervous your might ask, on the brink of this most wonderful (albeit challenging and stressful) journey? Well, there was one factor that made me just a little bit different - and a whole lot more scared - about heading off to The Atlantic Veterinary College (AVC) in Charlottetown, PEI, Canada and it certainly wasn't only my fear of being run over by a potato truck or the never-ending" Anne of Green Gables" paraphernalia. You see, at 27-years old, I couldn't bear the idea of jumping back into "the closet" (although I'm sure my friends would argue that's impossible anyways!) to deny one very important aspect of my life - that I'm gay.News from University of PennsylvaniaNow, one and a half years later, I can gladly say that my own stereotypes regarding life at AVC were sadly mistaken. Rather, I've been overwhelmed by the fantastic atmosphere - but I digress - let's review some more background information before I brag too much more!
Much to my surprise I was not the only "pink sheep" at AVC - instead, there was already an existing gay community at AVC, not to mention the associated University of Prince Edward Island and in the community of Charlottetown. Soon I immersed myself in this very dynamic group of AVC individuals that informally socialized and supported each other. Although not officially organized, this group participated in such community activities as the Charlottetown AIDS Walk and campaigning for World AIDS day on the UPEI campus in addition to an array of social activities. Now, a year later, we have finally organized ourselves into a more official group called "V4D" standing for "Vets for Diversity" (v4d avc@hotmail.com) and are in the process of attaining status as a student chapter of the Lesbian and Gay Veterinary Medical Association (www.lgvma.org). Our community outreach still continues, as does our support for each other and social activities too!
Before I close, however. I would like to mention the overwhelming feeling of PRIDE that I have. This is a feeling of pride for my friends, the faculty and the institution of AVC for being such an incredibly supportive, understanding and wonderful place to receive an education. I am proud that I can go to AVC each and every day knowing that I will only be judged on my integrity as an individual and a student rather than my sexuality. I am proud of the supportive community at AVC, where differences in people are embraced as contributing factors rather than inhibitory ones. I am proud that the only things pushed into "the closet" were my own fears of not being accepted. Without a doubt - I'm Out & Proud at AVC!
Heather-Michelle Stewart (a former LGVMA scholarship winner) organized a presentation on Safe Pet Guidelines for Immunocompromised Pet Owners (given by LGVMA member Vic Spain). The local SCAVMA chapter sponsored pizza for the event, which was attended by about 80 students, faculty, and staff. Attendees were provided with the PAWS Safe Pet Guidelines. Heather is now about to start her first job as an equine veterinarian.