Volume 17, Issue 7 March 2016 Moos News M A R C H 2 0 1 6 The Human-Animal Bond As individuals who have a desire to work with animals, it is easy to forget that a career in veterinary medicine involves interacting with people just as much as interacting with animals. Often there is a misconception that by entering into the veterinary medicine field, there is decrease in the amount of human contact required. However, veterinary medicine requires the same level of human contact as any professions, if not more. The animal- human link is one of the strongest bonds that exist, and as such, it can cause people to act unreasonably when it comes to the welfare of their animal. As aspiring veterinarians and individuals who are interested in the welfare of animals, it is our responsibility to learn how to effectively communicate with other individuals in our own species. We must develop a professional manner so that one day we will be able to handle any clients reactions. Furthermore, if our paths diverge from the veterinary medicine field, being able to communicate well will be beneficial in any professional setting. The CSU Pre-Vet Club would like to reminded our members of the importance of communication and encourage them to understand the bond humans develop with their animals. Thus, we are holding a human-connection month in order to help our members develop their communication skills. Throughout the month of March, the officer team will provide opportunities that aim to enhance our members communication skills. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : The Human-Animal Bond 1 Exploring New Options 2-3 Gaining Experience 4 Belize Experience 5 Fun Pages 6-7 Calendar and contact information 8
P a g e 2 M o o s N e w s Exploring New Options In the past, this monthly article has introduced several different veterinary programs. The aim has been to introduce members to the plethora of options of veterinary schools. Today this article will take a different approach and discuss an institute that is not directly associated with any veterinarian program. It is however, a program that aims to provide students with a better understanding of the humananimal bond. The Institute for Human-Animal Connection is part of the University of Denver s Graduate School of Social Work. The program began back in 2002 when funding was provided to develop one of the three certificate programs. The goal of the program is to promote the exploration of [the human-animal connection] through the lens of contemporary education, science, research, advocacy and ethics. They also work to stop and prevent cruelty to humans and animals through several programs. The institute offers three certificates; Animals and Human Health (AHH), Equine-Assisted Mental Health Practitioner (EAMH), and Animal Assisted Social Work (AASW). The AHH certificate is a continuing professional development program that focuses on animal-assisted interactions, interventions and educations. The program also offers classes on animal welfare and ethics. This certificate consists of three online courses and one on-campus course (at University of Denver). This program costs $3,000 and requires that you have your Bachelor s degree from an accredited 4-year college. However, you do not have to be a graduate student at The University of Denver to participate. The EAMH certificate is a post-masters program for professionals who would like to add equine- assisted work to their treatment strategies. In other words it is a program for those interested in equine therapy. The program is delivered through a hybrid mix of online and in-class courses and can be completed in one academic year. The cost of the course is $4,800 and you must have a masters or doctoral degree from a mental health related program or are currently working on such a program. Finally, the AASW certificate program is only offered to students completing their Masters of Social Work (MSW) at the University of Denver. The certificate covers topics on animal-assisted therapeutic interventions, animal welfare, and methods for including animals in social practice.
V o l u m e 1 7, I s s u e 7 Exploring New Options P a g e 3 The program the institution offers to prevent cruelty to humans and animals is the Colorado LINK Project. The Colorado LINK Project is a state -wide initiative at the Institute for Human-Animal Connection. It provides resources to professionals and community members in Colorado. The aim is to raise awareness of the maltreatment of animals and humans and to provide individuals with the tools to identify when cruelty is occurring. The goal is to understand how the Link develops and how to respond to it. The LINK is the fact that abusive behavior can manifest in many interconnected ways and can include child maltreatment, maltreatment of at-risk adults, interpersonal violence, animal maltreatment, and criminality. This project is maintained by the Institute for Human-Animal Connections and offers an in-depth look into the problem. To find out more about this project you can visit the website http://coloradolinkproject.com/. While these certificates and programs may sound far off from the path of gaining a veterinary medicine degree, they offer an experience that many veterinary schools cannot. If you are interested in therapy animals and how the human-animal bond can be used as a way to improve the mental health of individuals these programs would be a great addition to your education. Furthermore, they are a great back up plan if a student decides that veterinary medicine is not the field they would like to continue in. If you would like more information you can go to http://www.du.edu/humananimalconnection/ index.html or contact the school directly at ihac@du.edu.
P a g e 4 M o o s N e w s Gaining experience Continuing the theme of fostering human connection and gaining an understanding of the human- animal bond, here is a volunteer experience in town where volunteers have the opportunity to improve on their communication skills. Pets Forever Pets Forever is a CSU affiliated group that aims to assist disabled and elderly people with the care of their pets. The goal is to provide pets with the general husbandry care they need. Untimely the volunteers provide this care so that the owner and their pets may remain together. Volunteers may be asked to provide a wide array of duties that can include cleaning litter boxes, walking dogs, attending grooming or veterinary appointments, and even providing medical care if the animal requires it. The hours involved in this program generally count as animal contact hours and students can receive school credit for their participation. To receive credit you must be a student at Colorado State University and register for the class. All volunteers are asked to attend a weekly one-hour learning course, which provides time to discuss issues and learn about potential resources for the elderly. Volunteer hours are flexible and depends on the need of the different clients. Some clients live within Loveland, and thus, having a reliable vehicle is necessary. Overall, this is a great program that encourages students to develop their communication skills because they work directly with the clients. Students are asked to make direct contact with their clients to arrange for meeting times. To find out more about the program you visit the website http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/vth/ diagnostic-and-support/communityprograms/pets-forever/pages/involved.aspx or contact Lori Kogan at Lori.Kogan@colostate.edu.
V o l u m e 1 7, Is s u e 7 P a g e Belize Experience This past winter break our Historian, Alison Barbee, attended a class in the country of Belize. She worked with a variety of wild species including Jaguars. She wanted to share her experience through photographs. Thank you for the wonderful pictures Barbee! 5
P a g e 6 M o o s N e w s Protecting the Human-Animal Bond This cross word comes from Texas A&M University and aims to introduce the idea of the human-animal bond. There is an associated article that goes with this cross word that can be found at http://goo.gl/gfzbgg Across 6. Veterinarians who focus on the human-animal bond understand the they have to the family unit. 7. Because of the possibility of legally increasing the value of a person's pet, a client may be able to sue for what kind of distress? 8. As a pet's value, to an owner, increases, the level of, by a veterinarian, also increases. Down 1. To maximize the human-animal bond, veterinarians must for an animal. 2. What percentage of pet owners consider their pets to be children? 3. Now that animals share the family environment, veterinarians should be more aware of health. 4. These are the most effective tools to prevent diseases in humans and animals. 5. The increase of pet value also demands increase in from a veterinarian practitioner. Answer Key 1. Advocate 2. Seventy 3. Public 4. Vaccinations 5. Accountability 6. Responsibility 7. Emotional
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O f f i c e r t e a m a n d C o n t a c t i n f o r m a t i o n Club Advisor: Ann Bowen Ann.Bowen@colostate.edu President: Daena Rowlison daenarowlison@gmail.com Wednesday 2-3pm Vice President: Megan Doan mndoan12@outlook.com Tuesday 10-11am Secretary: Nicholas Gunderson nicholasgunderson@aol.com Monday 11am-12pm Treasurer: Trevor Taggart ttag95@rams.colostate.edu Friday 2-3pm Activities Coordinator: Allison Allum alallum@rams.colostate.edu Wednesday 9:30-10:30am Community Service Coordinator: Dailyn Souder Dailyn.souder96@gmail.com Friday 1-2pm Publicity Coordinator: McKayla Vidmar Kmvidmar@gmail.com Friday 12-1pm Historian: Alison Barbee prevethistorian@yahoo.com Wednesday 3:30-4:30pm Newsletter Editor: Ashley Hagenloh ashleyhagenloh@q.com Thursday 4-5pm Webmaster: Katy Beirise kbeirise@gmail.com Monday 9-10am CVMBS Representative: Brooke MacNeill Brooke_macneill@hotmail.com Tuesday 1-2pm SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT Blue box= social activity Purple box= committee activity Black box= meeting Red box= Educational/ community activity 1 2 3 Speed Question Night With Vet Students Location: TBA 6:00 PM 4 Adventures in Biology Location: TBA 5:00 PM 5 All Aboard Adoption Fair Edwards 7:30 AM 6 Chalking Outside Library 5:00 PM 7 8 9 General Meeting DVM/MPH Program Clark A201 5:30 PM 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Last Day to Submit Items for April s Newsletter 21 CVMBS Meeting A/Z W1 5:30 PM 22 Veterinary Ethics Quiz Bowl Eddy 104 5:00 PM 23 24 25 26 26 Chalking Outside Library 5:00 PM 28 29 30 General Meeting Equine Medicine Clark A201 5:30 PM 31