IBVEP stands for Idaho Bovine
Veterinary Experience Program. There is a growing national
demand
for veterinarians who wish to work with cattle. IBVEP is designed to
expose students to commercial dairy and cattle operations by working
with veterinarians in a dairy or cattle operation. This allows the
student to gain a working knowledge of cattle operations and dairies,
as well as for possible mentorship relationships as animal
veterinarians. Since most
veterinary students do not come from agricultural backgrounds,
exposure to animal agriculture and the veterinarians working with cattle
creates awareness of new career possibilities. The College of
Veterinary Medicine uses the program to increase the number of
students choosing to work with cattle following graduation, and to
better prepare veterinary students for their career working with
livestock.
Any
first or year veterinary student in the College of Veterinary
Medicine, at WSU, may apply.
The stipend is $2500 for six (6) weeks of participation. DVM students must be in good academic standing to receive the
stipend.
Participants are exposed to working with a commercial cattle
operation, such as a dairy, for 5 or more continuous weeks. The dates
are flexible, and are arranged to be mutually convenient for the
livestock operation and the student. This is considered a full-time
position which will involve 40 hours +/- per week.
The student will work with the owner or herdsman to learn about the
major jobs on the facility, by working at those jobs. On a dairy the
areas of training would include delivering calves, raising calves,
milking cows, feeding cows, breeding cows, treating sick cows, record
keeping, and working with the veterinarian during his/her visits. The
student normally works 5 to 5 ½ days a week by agreement with the
manager.
Some dairies have free housing suitable for the student. Students
also may live at home or with a friend or relative if they live near a
participating dairy. For those students near Caldwell Idaho the
Caine Veterinary Teaching Center has housing available for a nominal
fee, a faculty member will help you make contacts
for housing. Meals are the responsibility of the student.
Students continuing in the program, or students who are new to the
program but have extensive experience on a commercial cattle
operation, are paired with a veterinary practice involved with cattle
production medicine. They go on daily calls with one or more
veterinarians, and gain valuable experience. Veterinarians serve as
role models and many students develop a lasting professional
relationship with their mentors. As in the first year, a $2500
stipend is awarded for six (6) weeks or more of participation.
You should apply as early as possible. Applicants to the College of
Veterinary Medicine will receive application information in early
January. Students will be notified about there application as
soon as possible to allow for planning.
First and second year veterinary
students at WSU should apply by January 15. Students continuing in
the program, who participated in a previous summer, are automatically
accepted if they apply.
