American Veterinary Medical Association Government Relations Division, District of Columbia

Description of Elective Experience: 

Please note that the AVMA Government Relations Externship program does not provide any clinical experience, so we are not able to evaluate the student on those skills.

The AVMA Government Relations Externship Program is a four-week program that provides veterinary students with an opportunity to experience the regulatory and legislative activities of importance to the practice of veterinary medicine. Students are expected to perform duties that support the work of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Government Relations Division on public policy issues facing the veterinary profession. During their externship, students will discover the scope of veterinary medicine in the various branches of the government, while expanding their understanding of the legislative process and the veterinarian's role in that process.

Externs are expected to actively participate in advocating on behalf of veterinary medicine and the profession. Externs work under the mentorship of AVMA GRD staff on issues that affect the veterinary profession, such as student loan debt, animal welfare, funding for veterinary education, and small business and tax issues. They are asked to problem solve, adapt to daily changes in priorities, and influence others. Tasks that are assigned during the externship include meeting with congressional offices to discuss AVMA’s legislative agenda, attending hearings on behalf of staff, researching information, updating materials that support AVMA’s advocacy efforts, and completing a weekly summary of activities on time.

Primary objectives of the externship program are for veterinary students to gain a better understanding of the ways in which public policy impacts the profession, discover how veterinarians can be involved in the legislative process, participate in advancing AVMA’s legislative agenda on Capitol Hill, and immerse themselves in networking with federal veterinarians to gain insight into the depth and breadth of activities in which they are involved. The AVMA GRD Externship provides an opportunity for veterinary students to take what they are learning in veterinary school and apply it outside of a clinical setting, allowing them to learn another facet of the profession while making a difference in shaping the profession. 

Institutional and Educational Resources - staffing, equipment, etc.: 

AVMA GRD Externs work from the AVMA’s Government Relations Division office, located in Washington, D.C., and have access to the same resources as AVMA GRD staff during the four weeks of their externship. Externs are provided with office space, computer equipment, and an office phone and have access to office equipment and supplies in the GRD office. Externs will be mentored and guided by GRD staff in their work during their four weeks at the AVMA GRD.

Student Responsibilities - what is expected of students in terms of hours, days of the week, shadowing or actual support?: 

Externs work a similar schedule to AVMA GRD staff, which is Monday-Friday, approximately 9am-5pm. Some events may be held outside of those hours, such as morning meetings, afternoon receptions, dinner or evening events. The daily weekday schedule may be somewhat flexible depending on the timing of hearings, events, or meetings the extern will be attending.

Externs are expected to actively participate in advocating on behalf of veterinary medicine and the profession. Externs work under the mentorship of AVMA GRD staff on issues that affect the veterinary profession, such as student loan debt, animal welfare, funding for veterinary education, and small business and tax issues. They are asked to problem solve, adapt to daily changes in priorities, and influence others. Tasks that are assigned during the externship include meeting with congressional offices to discuss AVMA’s legislative agenda, attending hearings on behalf of staff, researching information, updating materials that support AVMA’s advocacy efforts, and completing a weekly summary of activities on time.

Student Housing (include costs, amenities, pet friendly, contact info if different from elective contact info): 

Student housing is not provided by AVMA and is the responsibility of the individual extern. AVMA may have suggestions to help students begin their search for housing but none are endorsed by AVMA. AVMA provides each extern with a $1200 stipend at the beginning of their externship to help offset the costs of housing and living in Washington, D.C. for four weeks.

Supervisor: 
Dr. Mark Lutschaunig/Valerie Goddard
Website: 
https://www.avma.org/advocacy/volunteer/avma-government-relations-student-externship-program
Contact email: 
Address: 
1910 Sunderland Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
Practice or Institution Type: 
Is student housing available?: 
No