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How do Cornell DVM and Master of Public Health program students make a positive impact on animal, human, community, and environmental health?
In addition to their studies on campus – in classrooms, labs, and clinics – students at the College of Veterinary Medicine are in communities near and far, gaining practical experience in everything from small or large animal medicine in the US to research, education, and outreach in Africa, Asia, Latin America and other places around the world.
Rehabbing cheetahs? Studying a coral reef pandemic? Identifying pathogens affecting fish, or livestock predators by stool samples? Creating policy recommendations to support school nutrition programs? Counting tens of thousands of stray dogs in Tbilisi? Studying influenza at the Centers for Disease Control? Helping two-toed sloths recover from electrical burns? Looking for Salmonella in livestock and gorillas? A connection between free-range chickens and Harmful Algal Blooms? Evaluating blood parasite load in breeding macaws?
These are experiential learning opportunities (ELO) in which Cornell DVM and Master of Public Health (MPH) program students have participated.
Students at the College of Veterinary Medicine do it all – if they can afford it. Financial assistance is essential to participating in many off-site opportunities, but the experiences are life-changing.
An immersive, experiential learning environment is unparalleled. Students facing language barriers and cultural differences cultivate adaptability, fortitude, persistence, and resiliency. They hone or acquire skills in teamwork, foreign languages, surgical techniques, communications, government relations, education, outreach, and leadership. Students gain an appreciation of different challenges faced by communities of people and animals, regardless of the distance from campus. They become global citizens committed to doing good.
Meet just a few young alumni who benefitted from experiential learning opportunities as students through this video by Ben Jakobek, DVM ’20:
Many more students* can benefit from equivalent opportunities and make an impact of animal, human, social, and environmental health with financial assistance. We look forward to sharing more about remarkable Cornellians and new opportunities with you throughout the month of November. Thank you for your support!
*Designate your gift to support an opportunity for a DVM or an MPH student by clicking on a button corresponding to a specific fund above. If you have any questions, email Luanne at Lps8@cornell.edu.