(A294) The Veterinary Stability Operations Practitioner Course: A Model for Bridging the Gap in Veterinary Medical Education for the Global Veterinary Medicine Practitioner

Abstract

Veterinary education provides a solid clinical and public health background that is applicable to several international development and humanitarian assistance sectors; however key skills and experiences that are required to be an effective Global Veterinary Medicine practitioner are not covered. In response to the US Department of Defense adopting Stability Operations as a core mission, the US Army Veterinary Corps has developed a Veterinary Stability Operations Practitioner Course intended to prepare Veterinary Corps officers to function effectively if tasked to conduct or support Stability Operations. The Veterinary Stability Operations Practitioner Course is a two part workshop series that provides a global veterinary perspective including knowledge, skills and experience necessary for Veterinarian to function in an international developing setting. Skills in assessment methodologies, program planning and evaluation are core to each workshop. Knowledge is based on production, market, and disease surveillance systems in the developing world. The intent is for the attendee after completing the course series to view their operational environment differently by understanding the social and cultural context that influences local population decisions and behaviors.