The Academy of Rural Veterinarians Promoting the Rewards of Veterinary Practice in Rural America & Around the World

ARV: The Mission To promote and advance the rewards of Veterinary Practice in Rural America through example, education, outreach and advocacy.

ARV: Our History In 1998, a group of dedicated rural veterinarians met while taking the Beef Cattle Production Management Course at Clay Center, Nebraska. A common belief in the value of rural practice found; visited practices offering critiques Challenge of finding qualified associates

ARV: Our History Rural Veterinarians - To promote the noble profession fight stereotypes, i.e. low pay and poor quality The Academy of Rural Veterinarians formally founded in 2003 in Buffalo, Wyoming. Plunged into the work by organizing school visits - to speak directly to students 1st school meeting presented in 2004 at Texas A&M.

ARV: Growth & Outreach Over the last six years, continued growth and success. Currently 350 veterinarian member-mentors and 1,200+ veterinarian students Members represent every state in the nation Presence at every vet school In 2008, created a National Office

ARV: Our Leadership Today Lisa Willis, DVM Secretary Texas Shelley Lenz, DVM, PhD President North Dakota Dean Christianson, DVM Vice President North Dakota Brett Andrews, DVM Treasurer Nebraska Paul Click, DVM President-Elect Alabama Rexanne Struve, DVM Immediate Past President Iowa

ARV: Our History The ARV “Originators”

ARV: Ensuring the Survival & Growth of the Rural Practice How do we do it? Only national organization dedicated to the needs and issues of rural vet practice Setting the example through our members and their successful practices Outreach to the schools Outreach at the community level, i.e. FFA Outreach at the professional level, i.e. AABP

ARV: How Do We Do It? Veterinary School Visit Program Externship Grant Program ARV Website – www.ruralvets.com The Rural Vet, Our Newsletter Visibility in National and Professional Publications Open to New Ideas to Get Message Out

ARV: Effective Operations ARV - Doing it longer than anyone on a national level Recognized as the leader on rural vet issues. A generation of graduates in practice that know ARV and what it does. Dedicated volunteer Board of Directors provide vision and coordinate activities ARV is “grassroots” and believes foundation for success is motivated rural veterinarians.

ARV: Effective Operations ARV is comprised of “real” veterinarians in practices across the country We tell our stories to students; lead by example Established communications tools to reach our audience, support our mission and members Efficiently run and provides a least-cost program to get the job done ARV utilizes association management to help Academy’s efficiency

ARV: A Good Partner A Major Goal for the Academy – To Collaborate Across the Profession Student Organizations Seek Out ARV ARV Veterinary Training Survey shared with North American Veterinary Medical Education Consortium ARV Invited to Appoint Representative to AAVMC’s Food Supply Veterinary Medicine Committee

ARV: A Good Partner ARV present on AVMA; other national & international committees In collaboration with Oregon, Ohio, Michigan and Colorado State, ARV conducted a nationwide survey addressing the issue of retention of rural veterinarians. Articles will appear in JAVMA.

Thank you for this opportunity to tell you about ARV Feel free to ask about our mission, operation and future