Natives in VetMed

14/10/2024

Celebrating Indigenous People's Day!

This day highlights Indigenous peoples' many different cultures, traditions, and languages. We are proud to be highlighting Native peoples' contributions to the veterinary field and creating an organization that supports each other from all Nations.

It's a good day to be Indigenous!

13/10/2024

One of our board members, Tasha, representing Natives in VetMed and doing what she loves - serving her community and hanging out with all the rez pups ❤️

15/08/2024

Natives in VetMed members, Tasha, Cierra, and Jerilene recently attended the Navajo Nation Plant and Animal Summit. Here's what board member Tasha has to say about the experience:

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Navajo Nation Plant and Animal Summit 2024. We had a room brimming full of specialists who are all focused on helping restore the Navajo Nation to its grassroots teachings while embracing new ways based on evidence based research and proven best practices. This conference followed a different format and this created a dearth of topics and many leveled, deep, productive discussions.

Natives in VetMed sponsored a few members to attend and we were able to make a bigger impact this year. I have never been one to shy away from standing alone, but as we know, there is power and influence that comes with numbers. Cierra Long and Jerilene Salabiye were able to join me and it is clear to me that they (while still immersed in their current studies) are the future of our reservation. We are blessed and lucky to have these amazing women now in line to take the reins.

In addition, Natives in VetMed was able to introduce themselves as a nonprofit this year, which was but a dream at the last Navajo Nation Summit. We have such a need on Navajo Nation and this will help bring many benefits to the organization financially and in publicity/access. We heard from a botanist, The Department of Agriculture, Fish and Game, BIA, Animal Control, all of the rescues that provide animal medical services, and especially honored and graced with the presence of the government administration of Navajo Nation.

We as Diné are entrusted to take care of the land as well as each other. Animals are included as they live on the land and are very much the center of our livestock industry. I'm glad we heard from all of the other departments that all tie in together. Balance in our cultural and current agricultural issues is a delicate dance but we are here to find a path in both worlds ✨️ If only you knew the odds that are consistently working against us, you'd be bleeding pride with me! Please reach out to me or another representative if you’d like to get involved in any way (time, volunteer work, financial assistance, professional services, or social media outreach). Any and all are welcome.

Ahéhee for your continued support for a bunch of rez kids with a dream ✨️

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We are so grateful for these 3 representing Natives in VetMed, and doing amazing work in their communities. We hope to continue supporting individuals in their journeys.

01/05/2024

Every donation goes towards building our capacity to support Native students pursuing veterinary medicine. We hope to create a network of Native professionals in the veterinary field where we can support each other and provide resources and opportunities for educational and professional growth. Most importantly, we cannot do this without your support! Thank you!

01/04/2024

Support our work by donating using the QR code!

Natives in VetMed supports future veterinary professionals by providing clinic/internship opportunities with partners across the nation. We can't do these things without you!

Donations go towards travel scholarships and other veterinary field opportunities. We hope that by decreasing financial barriers, we can encourage Native students to pursue their interests in the veterinary field.

30/03/2024

We have a super exciting announcement!

In an effort to encourage youth to explore possible career opportunities in this field, we have partnered with Colorado State University to recruit high school students, grades 9-11, to attend the Zoetis Veterinary Perspectives Institute!

🩺 This institute will be held June 9th-15th, 2024 at the CSU Campus in Fort Collins, CO. There is no registration fee, and lodging, meals, and tuition are covered by CSU and Zoetis. The deadline for NIVM applications is ‼️April 14th, 2024 ‼️

📝 About the application process:

Interested students will have to fill out an application consisting of short essay questions, along with submission of 2 recommendation letters. These are low-stake, and meant for practice of asking for recommendation letters!

🐾 Scroll to the Zoetis Veterinary Perspective Institute section at the bottom here: https://accesscenter.colostate.edu/alliance-partnership/alliance-summer-institutes/

🐾 Application is here: https://connect.colostate.edu/register/?id=b1f2a1f2-17c8-4205-ac0b-a6b9df3b43ab

✈️ If interested in travel support (such as airfare), please reach out to CSU and Natives in VetMed to inquire. NIVM travel funds are limited and first come, first serve.

❓If you have other questions, or want additional support in the application process, please let us know!

19/03/2024

Over spring break, Natives in VetMed partnered with SIRVS to provide veterinary care to Gaa-waabaabiganikaag, White Earth Nation, in northern Minnesota. We were able to send 3 NIVM members to participate thanks to RedRover and their generosity.

At this clinic, Cierra, a member of the Navajo Nation and current pre-veterinary student, was able to learn so much from this experience.

"This trip meant everything for me and to be able to travel with Natives in Vet Med to Minnesota and work alongside vet students and doctors was an incredible experience! Being able to experience something I’ve always dreamed about as a kid was surreal. The hands-on experience is something I'll carry through my veterinary career. Along with the mentors who shared their wisdom, skills, and kindness with me.

I had a lot of firsts on this trip but the one that stuck out the most was doing my very FIRST dog and cat neuter which was exhilarating! Also, doing my first blood draw on a dog. Giving vaccination and pre-meding. Learning about how to properly examine dogs/cats and the process of anesthesia. Going through the process of how lab tests are done, for example; snap test, smear & stains, centrifuge test, and blood work.

Just knowing we were all there to help the animals and clients and make a difference in a place that doesn’t get much veterinary services for their animals and seeing everyone in their element was eye opening and made me more determined to be a veterinarian. As a pre-vet, sharing this experience with vet students inspired and cleared all worries that I chose the wrong career path. Thank you Natives in Vet Med for giving me a once in a lifetime experience and hope to join you guys for more clinics!"

At Natives in VetMed, we strive to provide opportunities such as this to our members so that representation and community building is at the forefront. We are so glad that we were able to bring Cierra on this trip. This is the future of veterinary medicine!

20/02/2024

great opportunity for those interested in becoming a vet tech!

NTU Veterinary Technician Program

Join the NTU Veterinary Technician Program to explore your passion for animal health. Our program offers hands-on clinical and field experience and formal classroom instruction to help you pursue a fulfilling career in this field.

As a student in this program, you must comply with professional, ethical, and legal standards while demonstrating your conduct. Graduates will possess the necessary knowledge to identify career opportunities in traditional and non-traditional settings such as private veterinary practice, biomedical research, industry, academia, food safety, government, zoos, and other animal health-related fields. Our program is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and it will prepare you for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE).

If you want to pursue your dream career, apply for the 2024 Summer semester.
Apply now for the 2024 Summer semester!

Always remember, "It begins from within."
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Visit us today! Link: www.navajotech.edu
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For more information, contact:

Dr. Germaine Daye
Director of Veterinary Teaching Hospital
E: [email protected]

NTU Admissions Office
E: [email protected]
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Apply today:
https://ecampus.navajotech.edu/ICS/Future_Student/Formbuilder.jnz

NTU Veterinary Technician Program:
http://www.navajotech.edu/academics/associate-of-applied-science/veterinary-technology

15/02/2024

Why did we create Natives in VetMed?
Great question!

Native people make up less than 1% of the veterinary field - we hope that with this network, we are able to support and encourage Native individuals who are interested in this field. Having a support system is so important wherever you go. Hopefully, we can become apart of it.

26/01/2024

Next week! Please share with your networks :)

Calling all Indigenous pre-veterinary students! Register for the Pre-Vet webinar using the QR code or the registration link in our bio!

Have questions? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

19/01/2024

Calling all Indigenous pre-veterinary students! Register for the Pre-Vet webinar using the QR code or the registration link in our bio!

Have questions? Shoot us an email at [email protected]

19/01/2024

Did you know that Natives in VetMed was recently featured in the AAHA Trends Magazine?!

Check out the article on our NEW website here: https://www.nativesinvetmed.org/news

While you're at it, look around our new website and check out who we are, what we do, upcoming events and how to support us! We are so entirely grateful to everyone who has shared our story and helped us to grow into who we are today.

16/01/2024

SNEAK PEAK 👀 Part 1 of our 4 part series❗

❗❗CALLING ALL INDIGENOUS PRE-VETERINARY STUDENTS ❗❗

Join us for our upcoming webinar series: Vet School For Pre-Vets: How to Create Your Best Application

We will have a variety of speakers over 4 sessions (once a month!) to discuss the VMCAS application, writing a personal statement that reflects you, financial aid in vet school, and a chance to hear from current Native veterinary students.

The VMCAS will open up in January with the deadline usually being in September. This gives you plenty of time to work on your application and hear from experts in the field.

Be sure to sign up using the QR code or follow the link here —> https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScdzvzsXlhNXwV3gTybZasxe_YuYS4aGDjlanX_DvRGP4sFKA/viewform

04/12/2023

As the year comes to an end, we would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey.

When Natives in VetMed began, it started with four young professionals striving to create a place where Indigenous people could gather and talk about systemic issues in veterinary medicine and how to create inclusive change. Within a year or so, we grew and grew into an organization that spans the continent and brought together people from all tribes.

We have managed to:

- Participate in many different clinics: Red Lake Nation, White Earth, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
- Attended and presented at different conferences: CARE The Gathering, Access to Veterinary Care hosted by the ASPCA/UMN
- Provided travel support for Indigenous students to participate in different opportunities
- Made the news! From MPR to Red Lake Nation radio, we have been making (radio) waves!
- Participated in a panel at a veterinary school
- Hosted monthly meetings for networking and support

And we couldn't have done any of it without your valuable support, as well as the support of our mentors, advisors, and various members. Many of our active members are students themselves, and we are so grateful for the effort they put in in between classes.

If you'd like to support us on our journey, we would be so grateful if you could donate here: https://shorturl.at/psuCS

Funds go back into providing travel stipends, and working on our mission to provide veterinary care and support to Indigenous communities across the nations.

Wopida tanka eciciyapi - I say thank you to you all!
Natives in VetMed

02/08/2023

Jenna Walkingstick, a member of the Cherokee Nation, is currently pursuing her veterinary assistant certification, with dreams of becoming a veterinarian. She recently attended Kansas State University’s VetMed ROCKS conference with support from their initiative SPRINTS, the Specialized Programs for the Recruitment of Indigenous, Native, and Tribal Students. This initiative provides opportunities for Indigenous high school and college students to gain exposure to the veterinary medicine field. It included sponsorships for registration, travel, and lodging in order to attend the conference. She shared her experience with Natives in VetMed, and what it meant to her.

She says, “This summer camp is such an amazing resource and opportunity for all future veterinary professionals, but especially a blessing to our Native community. Did you know that less than 1% of veterinarians, vet techs and vet assistants are Native American? I desperately hope to change that and pave the way for other Natives in this field. We deserve a seat at every table where decisions are made.”

Seeing Indigenous students thrive in these opportunities is what we live for - veterinary medicine has a bright future.

02/08/2023

Lecia Mata comes from the Red Lake Nation and Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She is an upcoming veterinary student attending Colorado State University, and currently works at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital as an Emergency and Surgical Equine technician. Lecia, along with Summer, Kayla, and Mitakamizi, helped to cofound Natives in VetMed!

Since moving to Fort Collins from Minneapolis, she likes to try new restaurants, read, play with her 2 year old spoiled fur child Nova, and go to powwows with her younger sister. After graduation, she hopes to become specialized in mixed animal emergency medicine, as well as serve as a relief veterinarian on Indigenous reservation and at various shelters. She's gained so much experience from community medicine clinics and One-Health models, and these are areas that she is very passionate about and hopes to continue to engage with throughout her career. She's also interested in establishing rehabilitation programs that focus on human-animal kinship bonds in addiction recovery.

20/07/2023

It was so amazing serving the Red Lake Nation with our partner organizations ❤️

01/07/2023

❗️❗️

We just wrapped a week on Red Lake Nation doing spay/neuter surgeries and basic vaccinations alongside our partner organizations providing wellness exams and more!

MN SNAP sent one team in our mobile surgery vehicle to begin and then relieved them with a second team mid-week. We sterilized 141 animals (70 cats and 71 dogs) — and some of them were big pups — a total of 3,191.5 lbs. of dogs! Our teams lifted these puppers at least three times: to the prep area, then to the surgery table and finally, to recovery.

Even after a full week, we still had a wait list of 30 dogs and several cats. The need for accessible care and spay/neuter surgeries remains constant in communities throughout Minnesota.

Thank you to community leader and host Aaloved.org and partners Natives in VetMed, Secondhand Hounds, CARE Givers Circle, RedRover and University of Minnesota's SIRVS. See more photos and highlights here: mnsnap.org/2023-red-lake-clinic-week-recap/

23/06/2023

This week Natives in VetMed was interviewed by MPR.

“According to an American Veterinary Medical Association report “the veterinary profession is one of the least ethnically and racially diverse professions in the country.” Native Americans make up only about 1 percent of U.S. veterinarians.

However, this week in Ponemah, the numbers are very different. This is the first pet clinic for the organization Natives in Vet Med.”

22/06/2023

Natives in VetMed was featured in an article for MPR News! Check it out!

22/06/2023

22/06/2023

Natives in VetMed member, Tasha, flew in from Arizona. She is a member of the Navajo Nation and came all this way to volunteer at a clinic hosted by Aaloved.org on the Red Lake Nation! We are SO appreciative of her time and effort, and can’t wait to have her come to more clinics.🐾