SVECCS has expanded greatly in the past few years and has become an invaluable source of information for the student who is looking for the adrenaline rush that veterinary medicine has to offer! SVECCS offers a wide variety of topics that fall into many areas of veterinary medicine. From feline, canine, bovine, equine, and exotics, our goal is to provide you with valuable information on common emergencies and critical care situations. Along with lectures, our club offers many hands-on opportunities. Tentative wet labs and lecture topics include a CPR wet lab, most common emergencies seen in both small and large animal medicine lectures, a catheter placement wet lab, and more. So, if you’re ready to get your hands dirty and have a little fun, we’ll see you at the next meeting!

President: Sam Naughton

Advisor: Dr. Kristie Chavez

The Student Chapter-Disaster Animal Response Team (SCDART) teaches students how to handle disaster and emergency situations in relation to both animals and humans alike. Students will have the opportunity to learn from local, state, and/or federal agencies in various training opportunities. Key training will include proper emergency equipment handling, first aid techniques, and appropriate actions in a disaster response. As a member, you will also have access to certification events that could strengthen your future career. For example, members will be able to complete the requirements to become part of the Mississippi Animal Response Team (MART). If MART is deployed, certified members may have the opportunity to aid in the disaster response.

President: Emily Moles

Advisor: Dr. Carla Huston

The American Association of Bovine Practitioners is the club to join if you are interested in food animal medicine. Meetings, with a meal, are held monthly with guest speakers, faculty or staff from the MSU-CVM. This is a great club for anyone interested in food animal medicine or individuals with experience in food animal medicine. We also offer practical experience through multiple wet labs. Some examples are the basic cattle handling lab, palpation/artificial insemination lab, dystocia lab, and field necropsy. Club dues grant you membership into the national AABP, which offers numerous scholarship and externship opportunities. Also, at the end of the year, we have a steak dinner to celebrate our club! We hope to see you at our first meeting!

President: Rachel Klueppel

Advisor: Dr. Jim Brett & Dr. Gretchen Grissett

The American Association of Equine Practitioners is the largest professional organization of equine veterinarians. The Mississippi State Student Chapter of the AAEP strives to provide its members with hands-on horse experience and the most up-to-date information on equine veterinary care. Monthly meetings are held on a variety of topics including farrier work, dental care, alternative therapy, infectious diseases, diagnostic techniques, surgery, and lameness. Guest speakers from around the country along with clinicians from our hospital are invited to lecture. Field trips or wet labs are also planned throughout the year to give members hands-on experience. In previous years we have had labs on dental care, hoof trimming, ultrasound, and endoscopy. National Membership (national dues are an additional $35) grants students eligibility for AAEP specific conferences, wet labs, and scholarships.

President: Barret Barksdale

Advisor: Dr. David Christansen

Parasites can be found in nearly all areas of veterinary medicine. Though many are small in size, their impact on our patients is quite large! So, we have a club dedicated to learning more about these fascinating creatures. The American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists (AAVP) was founded in 1956 and is a scientific and educational organization. Members of AAVP are interested in parasites of companion, food-producing, domesticated animals, and wildlife; some of which are transmissible to humans. We study these parasites to ultimately find new or better ways to diagnose, prevent, treat, or reduce infections in animals and in humans. One of the ways in which AAVP facilitates this is by holding NAVLE and first-year pre-exam parasite reviews. Additionally, members can expect interesting research and case presentations from leading parasitologists and activities such as parasite recovery labs, diagnostic labs, and collaborations with other CVM clubs. If the creepy crawlies on your furry friends interest you, or if you want to stay well-informed on the subject of parasitology, join AAVP!

President: James Valentine

Advisor: Dr. Graham Rosser

The Path Club is a club dedicated to making the study of pathology more enjoyable. Pathology is the study of disease. It is also the basis of at least 3 major courses taken at MSU CVM. This is a club where there will be plenty of wet labs. Throughout the year, there will be necropsies on as many different species as possible. If you're in it for the disease (and not afraid to get messy), then the Path Club might just be for you!

President: Emily Moles

Advisor: Dr. Alicia Olivier

The American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP) is the only organization that directly represents laboratory animal practitioners within the AVMA. The purpose of the Student Chapter of the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners is to foster educational activities in the veterinary specialty of Laboratory Animal Medicine and to familiarize the members with standards and regulations pertaining to this discipline. The MSU CVM chapter of ASLAP will hold events directed at educating members on ethical issues and concerns in using research animals, exposure to different aspects of the career of a laboratory animal veterinarian, bring speakers from the field, and organize trips to various research facilities. Club members are encouraged, but not required, to join the national ASLAP society as well. We plan to make this club a resource for not only those students interested in lab animal medicine, but also anyone interested in research and animal welfare issues.

President: Gabrielle Roque

Advisor: Dr. Bridget Willeford

The main mission of the Chapter is to disseminate information about the function of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and its various specialties to its student affiliates. In doing this, the Chapter will encourage student affiliates to pursue activities related to cardiology, neurology, oncology, large animal internal medicine, and small animal internal medicine such that they are able to gain exposure and experience in this area outside the classroom and facilitate their own understanding of the discipline. ACVIM also encourages the pursuit of advanced training (internships or residencies) in the various specialties of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) by the Chapter student affiliates.

President: Jen Maruna

Advisor: Dr. Michaela Beasley

AAFP is a club that is all about our feline friends! Since our curriculum tends to focus more on a canine model for small animal medicine, AAFP serves to provide opportunities to learn more about the feline patient. We aim to cover a broad scope of topics, including some specific feline diseases, feline radiology, addressing common behavior issues, owning a feline-only practice, managing feral cats, and proper restraining techniques. For those interested in exotics, we also look for opportunities to learn about large cats – lions, tigers, bobcats, etc. In the past, we have been involved in a volunteer trip to a local animal sanctuary called Cedar Hill, and this year, we are exploring the possibility of a zoo trip! Even if you do not particularly care for cats, about 23% of the questions on the national licensing exam (NAVLE) are feline-related, so joining AAFP would be a great opportunity to start expanding your knowledge beyond the classroom, even as a first year! AAFP typically meets once a month for a lecture on an important feline topic. This year, the officer team is also planning on holding a couple of wet labs on feline handling, physical exams, and hopefully a spay/neuter lab using cadavers. Whether you love cats, want to become a feline-only specialist, or would rather they keep their distance, it is important that we all learn about feline medicine. We hope to see you at our interest meeting!

President: Ky Burroughs

Advisor: Dr. Tracy Jaffe

 The purpose of the WEZAAM (Wildlife, Exotic, Zoo, Avian, and Aquatic Animal Medicine) club here at MSU-CVM is to expose members to a variety of animal species that do not receive much class or rotation time. The club informs students about veterinary medicine with respect to the world of exotic animals and provides a way for those interested in wildlife and exotic medicine to pursue their passion. Club dues cover guest lecturers, food, wet labs, and field trips throughout the school year. Our goal is to give attention to each of these special fields of interest through lectures from conservationists and wildlife rehabilitation specialists, a behind the scenes trip to a zoo, a trip to Cedar Hill Cat Sanctuary, and a variety of other lectures and labs! If you have any interest in or would like to expand your knowledge of exotic animals, this club is a great opportunity.

President: Maddie Pinero

Advisor: Dr. Mandy Kohler

WAVMA encourages students to learn more about aquatic medicine ranging from commercial fish production to aquatic wildlife habilitation! In the past, we have hosted speakers from SeaWorld, the Georgia aquarium, and IMMS. These speakers cover various topics such as providing proper nutrition in large scale aquariums, manatee rehabilitation, and how humans impact dolphin populations along the Gulf. This semester we hope to plan a trip to IMMS or the Georgia aquarium to allow students a hands-on opportunity to learn more about aquatic medicine!”

President: Patrick Farias

Advisor: Dr. Stephen Reichley

Veterinary medicine is the least diverse profession in existence in terms of representation by all races, genders, and sexual orientations. As a result, the profession lacks cultural competency, which decreases the quality of client relationships and undermines camaraderie with colleagues. The MSU-CVM chapter of Veterinarians as One In Culture and Ethnicity helps promote inclusion by visiting area schools, hosting informational lectures, and throwing fun social events. All veterinary students, faculty, staff, and undergrad students are welcome to join! This year we hope to have events relevant to a broad variety of topics, including but not limited to: LGTBQ+ issues, socioeconomic barriers to pursuing a veterinary education, and accessibility of the profession to all students. And of course, we are open to suggestions on issues in our profession that you may wish to talk about!

President: Natalie Walls

Advisor: Dr. Patty Lathan & Dr. Brittany Moore-Henderson

Alpha Psi is a National Veterinary Fraternity that, for many years, has carried on traditions and values of the Veterinary Medical career. Our Chapter hosts several social events to include tailgates, Spring Formal, Halloween Party, Crawfish Boil, and a few new ones that are in the works. We also host monthly happy hours at varying locations around Starkville to sit back and relax, while enjoying the company of our peers and the fine foods of the area. In addition to all the fun, we also participate in several philanthropic activities throughout the year. As a member of Alpha Psi, you will be provided the opportunity to attend Alpha Psi National Convention at one of the varying schools across the country. We also provide an excellent atmosphere to build future connections and allow students to enjoy the social aspect of vet school to the fullest extent. We are excited to have each of you as a part of the Class of 2026 and hope to have you as part of our Alpha Psi family in the near future!

President: Joshua Saldana

Advisor: Dr. Ben Nabors

Christian Veterinary Fellowship is a student led chapter which promotes spiritual growth and the professional development of veterinary students. It is under the guidance of Christian Veterinary Mission, an organization that allows veterinarians to use their skills to bring glory to God. This club serves to provide community for students and encouragement throughout their years at MSU CVM. It also allows unique opportunities to serve the community and the world. This year, we are planning a short-term mission trip in December. We also will host the Real Life Real Impact conference in the spring, which allows students and veterinarians to come together to share stories and connect through the love of Christ. In addition, each semester we have social events as a way to connect with other students and take a break from studying. We have devotion biweekly and provide an opportunity for students to join small groups which can be a wonderful place to reset and find encouragement throughout the semester. The CVF officer team hopes to meet the mission statement of Christian Veterinary Missions “To challenge, empower, and facilitate veterinary professionals to serve others by living out their Christian faith.”

President: Christen Williamson

Advisor: Dr. Skip Jack

The Veterinary Business Management Association is a national organization that was founded to improve the success of veterinarians and the veterinary profession. It has always been the belief of the VBMA that soon-to-be veterinarians, no matter what sector of veterinary medicine they enter, would be better prepared through development of their personal and professional skills in networking, finance, business operations, personal management, communication, knowledge of student loans, and leadership. Through membership in VBMA and attendance of meetings, students complete a Business Certificate Program, an indication of completion of true business related lecture hours during their CVM career. Whether you wish to one day own your own practice, are considering a career in corporate veterinary medicine, want to better understand veterinary leadership, or simply want financial advice as a vet student and future DVM, VBMA offers so many intriguing lecture opportunities, workshops, and network opportunities applicable to all vet students.

President: Taylor Perry

Advisor: Dr. Joey Burt

Have you ever come across the word Theriogenology and thought, “What does that mean?” Perhaps you asked and were told, “Oh, that’s animal breeding” and you immediately thought Bovine A.I. and those long gloves….If so, then you should check out the Therio Club and you will find the world of theriogenology is so much more. In Therio Club you will be able to explore the many facets of animal reproduction including exposure to advanced assisted reproduction techniques. Last year our members were able to experience wet labs in canine, small ruminant, and equine reproduction. In years past the club has toured equine breeding facilities and had wet labs with bovine palpation. Members always look forward to the end of the year steak dinner with AABP. This year promises to hold a wide array of presentations and wet labs as well as a symposium in the fall semester. So, come to our first meeting this semester and find out what’s in store for this exciting new year!

President: Rachel Klueppel

Advisor: Dr. Kevin Walters

Nutrition is vital in all aspects of veterinary medicine. As important as it is, many veterinary school curriculums do not have the time to emphasize animal diets. AAVN aims to fill that gap by providing students with basic nutritional knowledge in a wide variety of animal species as well as its beneficial and detrimental impacts. Recent meeting topics include: Exotics Nutrition, Poultry Nutrition, Beef Cattle Nutrition, Feline Diabetes, Joint Health in Equine Medicine, Supplements in Small Animal Medicine, Pet Food Trends, and a Tour of the MSU Dairy Farm and Food Processing.

President: Kelli Wourms

Advisor: Dr. Christine Bryan

The Radiology Club at MSU-CVM is an organization for those interested in bettering themselves within the field of veterinary radiology. The primary purpose of our organization is to expose veterinary students to the field and provide practice opportunities for interpreting radiographs and ultrasound procedures. There will be weekly case studies sent out that will allow students an opportunity to become familiarized with the terminology that complexity of creating a case report. There are also meetings to introduce students to other radiologic modalities such as CT scans and MRIs. These activities will help prepare students for the radiology rotation they will undergo during Phase II of the curriculum. For those interested in specializing in radiology, this is the perfect organization to help meet and work directly with our school’s radiologists. Even if not interested in specializing, the learning opportunities this organization provides are set up to help any person that will have to utilize radiological procedures on their desired path.

President: Jen Maruna

Advisor: Dr. Alison Lee

The MSU CVM Ophthalmology Club is a newer organization founded in the fall of 2020.  Do you love eyes? Do eyes freak you out? Either way, you should join Ophtho Club! Whether you love them or not, treating eye problems both pharmaceutically and surgically is a large part of veterinary medicine.  The primary purpose of our club is to expose students to the field and provide hands-on experiences.  Our speakers and activities not only help prepare students for the ophthalmology rotation, but also enhance classroom learning for Phase 1 students and bolster skills necessary in both general practice and specialization.  Since eyes are pretty universal across species, many of our talks and wet labs feature a variety of animals, both large and small.  In addition, ophthalmology overlaps with a myriad of other specialties (neurology, surgery, pathology, equine, feline, etc.).  We have a lot of fun experiences planned for this coming year including (but not limited to) an equine enucleation lab, an eyelid suturing lab, and a feline ophthalmology exam lab.  We also are planning to host review sessions specifically for first year members before the exams that have material relating to the eye (neuro, anatomy I, and physiology).  Come join us for a fun year!

President: Sarah Rubelowski

Advisor: Dr. Caroline Betbeze & Dr. Becky Telle

Shelter medicine is a rapidly-growing veterinary specialty. If you find yourself asking what a veterinarian would do in a shelter setting, our club may be for you! Our Shelter Medicine Club is comprised of both a Student Chapter of the Association of Shelter Veterinarians and a Student Chapter of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. Our meetings will include informative lectures on different topics within the specialty, case studies from our shelter medicine resident, and trips to shelters in our community. We are currently the only club that offers hands-on experience in small animal medicine through our weekend partnership with the Starkville City Shelter. However, this experience will only be available to members. Don't miss out!

President: Savannah Smith

Advisor: Dr. Kimberly Woodruff

The Surgery Club at MSU-CVM is a student organization for those interested in the field of surgery. As always, our goal is to promote the education of vet students here at Mississippi State and stimulate an interest in veterinary surgery. We will present lectures and provide experiences that introduce you to various surgical topics, techniques and procedures. The Surgery Club combines topics related to both large and small animal surgery and offers several wet labs that provide great hands-on experience. Planned events include an orthopedic wet lab, a suture lab, and a number of invited guest speakers. This club is a great way to foster those interested in veterinary surgery and facilitate communication and interaction between vet students and vet surgeons here at MSU-CVM. We encourage you to contact any of the club officers and look forward to seeing you at our interest meeting in the Fall.

President: Cassidy Meyers

Advisor: Dr. Elizabeth Swanson & Dr. Michael Jaffe

The objective of the Veterinary School Running Club at Mississippi State University is to foster physical fitness and establish a platform for veterinary students to participate in both recreational and competitive running activities. Our goal is to create a supportive and inclusive community, aiming to empower members to pursue their individual goals in running, jogging, or walking while enhancing their overall fitness levels. By fostering camaraderie among veterinary students, we strive to cultivate an environment where running improves physical well-being, as well as mental health.

President: James Valentine

Advisor: Dr. Marc Seitz