Veterinary Student Scholarship Projects
The MAAF Student Externship Fund provides scholarship funding to second and third year vet students at Kansas State, University of Missouri, Texas A&M University, University of Illinois and Oklahoma State University. These funds allow camelid focused students to expand their knowledge at different venues.
Although not a Foundation projects MOPACA has also sponsored scholarships at the same three universities for those second and third year students who have exhibited special interest in Camelids.
These three scholarship funds are designed to introduce students to the alpaca during the college experience. All three projects are currently funded and functioning. The administration and student selection process is directed by the MAAF veterinary advisory board.
Practicing Veterinary Continuing Education
The MAAF Continuing Education Fund is an on line education program established to enhance alpaca knowledge for practicing veterinarians. Now completed, this program allows veterinarians veterinarians in all fifty states to acquire accredited continuing education credits. This computer based program allows veterinarians, vet techs and alpaca owners to access programs anywhere there is a computer; any place in the world. The program content is being developed by Kansas State, Oklahoma State University the University of Missouri as well as guest contributors. This program is now available at www.vet.k-state.edu/CE/camelid/camelid.htm. The content developed over the next five years could include as many as sixty hours of core lectures.
Mid America Alpaca Foundation and ARI Expand Alpaca Education
The Mid America Alpaca Foundation and Kansas State University are pleased to announce that they have made their DVD, Camelid Medicine Starter Series available to the Alpaca Registry. Now users can access this freeeducational series by going to www.ariacademy.com.
The program contains the following:
- Basic Camelid Handling and Monitoring
- Handling, Restraint and Field Anesthesia of Camelids
- Heat Stress in Camelids
- Neonatal Care of Camelids
- Parasite Control Strategies and Herd Health Programs for Llamas and Alpacas
The DVD was created for small animal veterinarians who are seeking education on alpacas. The programs are also valuable to large animal veterinarians with limited alpaca experience, and an excellent resource for new alpaca owners.