America's Veterinarians Welcome Visit by Senator McCaskill at AVMA Annual Convention

ST. LOUIS, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaking to a group of veterinary students during the Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) House of Delegates meeting being held at the annual AVMA Convention, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) noted the important role veterinarians play in ensuring our nation's animals are healthy and our food supply safe.

"I'm honored to be attending the American Veterinary Medical Association Convention this year," said Sen. McCaskill. "These folks do fine work for their communities, and I'm looking forward to hearing from them firsthand and talking about the issues facing the organization."

Sen. McCaskill also met with top leaders of the AVMA where they had a brief discussion of issues important to the organization and the veterinary profession. The AVMA leaders discussed the funding levels for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP).

"We are very excited that Sen. McCaskill took time out of her busy schedule to speak with our members and visit the AVMA convention," said AVMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Ron DeHaven. "We took the opportunity to deliver the message that the nation's veterinarians play an integral role in not only animal health and welfare but public health and food safety. We especially enjoyed personally meeting with the senator and her staff – we felt we could really connect and deliver the message for our more than 81,000 members across the country."

The senator also highlighted how veterinarians really do make a difference, speaking about the disaster relief efforts in Joplin, Mo., recently. Teams of veterinarians, technicians and students were sent to the area to aid animals displaced and in need of medical care due to the tornado. The AVMA sponsors Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams, where teams of veterinarians, technicians, students and other support personnel work onsite to help when natural disasters hit.

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 81,500 member veterinarians worldwide are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. The AVMA is celebrating Vet2011, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the first veterinary school in Lyon, France.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association