What's New
Oklahoma State student recipients of 2010 scholarships
I was introduced to alpacas and llamas when I began volunteering at the Akron Zoological Park when I was 14. I was assigned to their care, and to train them to be led in an upcoming parade and for zoo visitors to be able to pet them. I continued at the zoo until I graduated from high school, increasing in my responsibilities and won an award based on my volunteerism. I next encountered camelids my first day of college. I asked the Brigham Young University veterinarian to allow me to shadow her. She took me to visit a research trial of anesthesia on alpacas and llamas. I demonstrated my ability to handle the animals and by the end of the day I was hired as a research assistant.
In Bolivia, I mentored a Bolivian undergraduate student in llama nutrition research in Viacha. I learned there how necessary llamas and alpacas are to the native Aymara people of the Altiplano. It was after this amazing experience I knew I wanted to specialize in camelid medicine during veterinary school. After Bolivia, I moved to BYU’s Applied Animal Molecular Genetics lab and began work on characterizing the Melanocortin 1 receptor in alpacas and llamas. During my year in the Genetics lab, I applied to veterinary school. I was accepted to Ohio State University as a member of the Class of 2011. I worked with a resident in camelid medicine and did a retrospective study of Caesarean sections and their affect on future breedings, conception or dystocias. I presented my research at the International Camelid Health Conference at Ohio State. This work demonstrated that camelid Caesarean sections may have no effect on future pregnancies, and set the foundation for a prospective study. I spent one year at Ohio State, before I transferred to Oklahoma State University where the experience is superior.
Last February, I worked with Dr. Lionel Dawson and a few other students to start a student chapter of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners (AASRP) at Oklahoma State University. As President of AASRP, we have organized a variety of speakers and hands-on labs. These have included llama handling lab and alpaca castration labs.
Last summer I spent a week with Dr. Pam Walker of Alpaca Jack’s Suri Alpaca Farm in Ohio. I enjoyed the experience immensely as I was able to learn by hands-on doing. I also attended Midwest Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association’s Winter Seminar with lectures by Dr. Ahmed Tibrary. This coming fall, I have been accepted to participate in Oregon State’s Llama Medicine and Surgery Course. It consists of hands on-training during the two week course. I am also planning on spending 2 weeks with Dr. David Anderson at Kansas State University and another 2 weeks with Dr. Pam Walker of Alpaca Jack’s Suri Alpaca Farm.
Upon graduation, I believe that my experience will make me a good member of a mixed animal practice with an emphasis on camelids and small ruminants. I also plan to return to academia to pursue a residency and doctoral degree in camelid medicine. From my experience in Bolivia, I know there is more we can do for alpaca and llama production medicine. My goal is to give that knowledge to Americans and Bolivians for their benefit.
Thank you for the gift of your scholarship,
Laurel Tegland Tree
Class of 2011
Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
I became interested in alpacas through the chapter of the American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners at Oklahoma State University. Early in 2011, I will travel to the La Raya Research Center in Cusco, Peru – an institute devoted to alpaca and llama research and production- and work with Dr. Walter Bravo – one of the preeminent camelid veterinarians in the world. This is the peak of the alpaca birthing season in Peru, and I will gain hands on experience with everything from breeding soundness exams to parturition and cria medicine.
I would like to thank the Mid America Alpaca Foundation for helping to make this externship possible through its scholarship program. This experience will allow me to enter the veterinary profession more prepared to care for my alpaca patients. After graduation, I intend to become a large animal practitioner in a rural area…hopefully either in Oklahoma or Missouri. I am eager to begin working with alpaca owners to help provide excellent veterinary care for their animals.
Dana Lagaly
Class of 2011
Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
Thanks MU!
This year Dr. Dusty Nagy and a team of vet student from the University of Missouri provided vet checks at the MOPACA show. What a great way for owners and the students to get to know each other. The students health checks went very well and provided a quick and pleasant experience for alpaca owners. MOPACA provided alpaca products as thank you gifts to the students.
