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Youth

Texas AgriLife Extension Service Receives Grants for Veterinary Science Education

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service has been awarded two grants, totaling $272,436, to support the Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP), a nationally recognized program designed for high school students interested in becoming veterinary assistants. The grants will fund the implementation of One Health education and distance learning in veterinary medicine for students in grades 11 and 12.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP) is a nationally recognized program for high school students interested in becoming veterinary assistants.
  • The program has received two grants: $74,989 from the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and $197,447 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Veterinary Service Grants Program (USDA NIFA VSGP).
  • The grants will fund the implementation of One Health education and distance learning in veterinary medicine for students in grades 11 and 12.
  • The program will provide students with the opportunity to earn a certificate of completion in veterinary science.
  • The VSCP consortium partners include the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Animal Health Commission, and private veterinarians from across Texas.
  • One Health education has been implemented in 5 overnight veterinary science camps, reaching 176 participants in 2022.
  • The program has the potential to expand to other states in the future, with a sustainability roadmap being developed to continue offering One Health education.
  • The USDA NIFA VSGP-funded project will increase youth awareness of education and career opportunities in food animal medicine.
  • The program will provide distance education to students in areas that do not have access to education in veterinary medicine through traditional high school career education programs.
  • 11 students have already qualified to enroll in the program, and enrollment will be open to 30 students in year one, increasing to 45 students in year two and 25 students in year three.

Statistics:

  • Total grant award: $272,436 ($74,989 + $197,447)
  • Number of overnight veterinary science camps: 5
  • Number of day camps: 3
  • Number of participants in One Health education in 2022: 176
  • Number of students enrolled in the VSCP program: 11 (as of September 2023)
  • Enrollment targets for the USDA NIFA VSGP-funded project:

+ Year 1: 30 students

+ Year 2: 45 students

+ Year 3: 25 students

Sources:

  • Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) grant
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Veterinary Service Grants Program (USDA NIFA VSGP) grant
  • Texas AgriLife Extension Service
  • Veterinary Science Certificate Program (VSCP)

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