The Academy of Rural Veterinarians

1. The Academyof Rural Veterinarians Promoting the Rewards of Veterinary Practice in Rural America & Around the World

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

3. 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 thevalue of rural practicefound; visited practicesoffering critiques • Challenge of findingqualified associates

4. 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 in2004 at Texas A&M.

5. ARV: Growth & Outreach • Over the last six years, continued growth and success. • Currently 350 veterinarianmember-mentors and1,200+ veterinarian students • Members represent everystate in the nation • Presence at every vet school • In 2008, created aNational Office

6. ARV: Our Leadership Today Lisa Willis, DVMSecretary Texas Shelley Lenz, DVM, PhDPresidentNorth Dakota Dean Christianson, DVMVice PresidentNorth Dakota Brett Andrews, DVMTreasurerNebraska Paul Click, DVMPresident-ElectAlabama Rexanne Struve, DVMImmediate Past PresidentIowa

7. ARV: Our History The ARV “Originators”

8. 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 throughour members and theirsuccessful practices • Outreach to the schools • Outreach at the community level, i.e. FFA • Outreach at the professional level, i.e. AABP

9. 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 andProfessional Publications • Open to New Ideas to GetMessage Out

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

11. 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-costprogram to get the job done • ARV utilizes association managementto help Academy’s efficiency

12. 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

13. ARV: A Good Partner • ARV present on AVMA; other national & international committees • In collaboration with Oregon,Ohio, Michigan and Colorado State, ARVconducted a nationwidesurvey addressing theissue of retention of ruralveterinarians. Articles will appear in JAVMA.

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