Scholarships
Kansas State University
MAAF Externship Fund:
Amy Hanson is this year’s recipient of the externship award. Amy volunteered to help check in animals at
the Mid America Alpaca show in the fall of 2008. It
was this introduction that started her interest in alpacas. Amy will spend her externship working in Colorado with Dr. Toni Cotton.
MOPACA Scholarship:
Andrew Crisler was awarded the MOPCA scholarship
for 2009. Andrew is president of the small ruminant
club on campus. After spending time working on an alpaca farm his interest in camelid medicine expanded.
University Of Missouri
MAAF Externship Fund:
The externship fund was utilized by three students to attend Dr. Toni Cotton’s Neonatal seminar held at the MOPACA show.
Jessica Byrd has purchased a mixed animal practice in Eminence, Missouri and will start at the practice in June of 2009. The nearest vet is fifty miles away. “I am very excited to be working with llama, alpacas, equine, bovine and small animals.
Ashley Vincent grew up in Delaware and did her undergraduate work in Pennsylvania. Upon graduation she would like to focus on internal medicine. Ashley is a member on a number of clubs on campus, Phi Beta Veterinary Society and Veterinary Research Scholar’s Program.
Laura McKee was raised on a small farm just east of Kansas City in Orrick, Missouri. After graduation she will be working at a mixed animal practice, Renfro veterinary Services in Richmond, Missouri. "I am interested in bringing more camelid medicine into the practice".
3rd Annual Combined Camelid Health and Management Conference:
Four veterinary students from the University attended the conference . Fees for the conference were covered by the Externship Fund. A total of six students have been able to access fund s for off campus camelid education.
MOPACA Scholarship:
Joshua Schaeffer is a member of the Class of 2010 at the College of
Veterinary Medicine-University of Missouri. Josh grew up in Oregon, MO,
where he attended South Holt R-1. While in high school, he was involved
with the National FFA Organization. Working with his family on his
grandparents' farm, Josh established a strong interest in veterinary
medicine. After graduating high school in 2002, Josh attended Truman State
University in Kirksville, MO. While at Truman State, he lived and worked at
the University Farm. He received a B.S. in Agricultural Science with a
Pre-Veterinary Medicine emphasis in 2006. During veterinary school, Josh has
continued to pursue an interest in production animal medicine. Through
these experiences, he has developed an interest in camelid medicine. After
receiving his D.V.M, Josh plans to practice to veterinary medicine in rural
Missouri for a few years. He then hopes to obtain a residency in large
animal internal medicine, and eventually enter academia.
Oklahoma State University
MAAF Externship Fund:
I am currently a second year veterinary student. I have a Bachelors in Animal Science from Brigham Young University. I am from Akron, Ohio. Upon graduation I will do camelid medicine in a small ruminant or mixed animal practice. I was introduced to alpacas when I was 14 while volunteering at the Akron Zoo. I spent my undergraduate time working on growth metabolism research and genetics research in llamas and alpacas. I enjoyed my experience immensely and realized that these animals needed veterinarians who understood their unique needs. With these funds, I am now able to attend internships in Ohio and Colorado that will allow me to get further training that is outside the veterinary curriculum.
Laurel Tegland-Tree
Class of 2011, Oklahoma State University
AASRP President
MOPACA Scholarship:
I am currently a second year veterinary student at Oklahoma State University. I earned a BS degree in Animal Science from Montana State University in 2005. I am originally from Anaconda, Montana. It is a town of about 9,000 people in southwestern Montana. After graduation I would like to work in a rural mixed practice that is predominately food animal; including cattle, horses, small ruminants and camelids.
Nicholas J. Johnson
Class of 2011, Oklahoma State University