Offsite Electives

Veterinary Student Elective Description: Ensuring Livestock Health and Movement Compliance at Youth Livestock Exposition and Erie County Fair

Overview: Veterinary Student Elective is focused on regulatory medicine and livestock health management at the Youth Livestock Exposition and Erie County Fair in New York. This two-week program offers hands-on experience in ensuring the health and welfare of over 3000 animals participating in the event. As a key member of our team,  the student will gain practical insights into animal movement regulations, disease control measures, and the administration of the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program (NYSCHAP).

Objectives:

1. Understand the regulatory framework governing intrastate and interstate movement of livestock in New York.
2. Learn to conduct health inspections, enforce biosecurity protocols, and ensure compliance with animal health regulations at large-scale events.
3. Gain practical experience in disease surveillance, outbreak response, and emergency management in livestock populations.
4. Acquire knowledge and skills related to the implementation and coordination of the NYSCHAP.
5. Develop communication and teamwork abilities by collaborating with veterinarians, exhibitors, event organizers, and other stakeholders.

Activities:

• Orientation: Introduction to the event, its scope, and your role as a veterinary student intern.
• Regulatory Overview: Comprehensive review of intrastate and interstate animal movement regulations in New York.
• Biosecurity Training: Hands-on sessions on biosecurity measures, disease prevention strategies, and emergency protocols.
• Facility Familiarization: Tour of the exposition grounds and Erie County Fair facilities to understand layout and logistical aspects.
• Collaborative Planning: Meetings with event organizers, exhibitors, and other veterinary professionals to discuss health management strategies and contingency plans.

• Livestock Health Monitoring: Conducting daily health checks, observing animal behavior, and identifying signs of illness or distress.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assisting in the verification of animal health certificates, vaccination records, and identification tags for intrastate and interstate movement.
• Disease Surveillance: Participating in surveillance activities, conducting physical exams on animals entering the grounds, as well as educating the public on biosecurity
• Emergency Response: Responding to health emergencies, coordinating with veterinary teams, and implementing containment measures in case of disease outbreaks.
• NYSCHAP Coordination: Shadowing the coordinator in administering the program, conducting herd health assessments, and providing support to participating producers.

Outcome: By the end of this elective, the student will have gained valuable experience in regulatory veterinary medicine, livestock health management, and emergency response strategies. They will also have gained a thorough understanding of the New York State Cattle Health Assurance Program and its role in promoting animal health and biosecurity. This immersive learning opportunity will prepare the student for a career in veterinary public health, regulatory medicine, or large-animal practice with a focus on livestock management and disease control.

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