Like physicians, veterinarians study, diagnose and treat injury and disease, as well as provide preventative care for their patients. Vets can specialize in a broad range of fields and animal types including internal medicine, research, public health, domestic animals, wildlife, and livestock. To become a veterinarian, one must complete graduate medical education, a residency and pass licensing exams.

With a shortage of large animal veterinarians across the United States, UVM is offering a new 12-week summer program that will cover agricultural management and large-animal handling, health, breeding, care, use, and ethics.

The summer program is based on the University of Vermont’s College of Agriculture and Life Science’s CREAM Program (Cooperative for Real Education in Agricultural Management), which has been helping students gain hands-on large animal experience for over 25 years. This one-of-a-kind program has helped distinguish its alumni from many other applicants seeking admission to veterinary school.

The work-based learning experience gives a select group of 15 students the opportunity to manage a herd of 60 registered Holstein and Jersey cattle for the duration of the summer.

Through lab and farm work, students will learn about a broad range of topics related to animal well-being such as animal nutrition, parasitology, anatomy/physiology, immunology, genetics, and diagnosing and treating common illnesses.

Who Should Apply?
The summer CREAM program is designed for undergraduate students or recent graduates who are exploring veterinary medicine as a career option and who plan to apply to a professional program within the next academic year. Students will receive large animal handling experience that will strengthen their qualifications for veterinary school, and be provided guidance and resources for preparation of the GRE and vet school admission.

Students will benefit from workshop-style sessions on application and interview preparation. The program’s on-farm experience also includes special projects and field trips, and offers students an uncommon experiential learning opportunity that will help distinguish them as future agriculture leaders.

ASCI 134 Animal Science: CREAM

Schedule:

• May 20– August 9, 2019
• 20 Hours of Work-Based Learning Weekly
• Morning Class Sessions: Mondays & Wednesdays 8-9:15am
• Evening Class Sessions: Mondays & Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm

Academic Credit: 4 credits
Lead Instructor: Norman Purdie, Ph.D.
Max Enrollment: 15

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