K-State Olathe partners with AAIV, creates academic opportunities for graduate students
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
OLATHE — Kansas State University Olathe is now the national headquarters of the American Association of Industry Veterinarians, or AAIV — an organization comprised of veterinarians working for animal health companies. It comes as part of a recently finalized agreement with K-State Olathe and AAIV that helps further the mission of both partners.
"K-State Olathe is very excited to build a collaborative partnership with AAIV," said Ralph Richardson, D.V.M., dean and CEO of K-State Olathe. "We anticipate this partnership will lead to tremendous academic opportunities for Kansas State University students and veterinarians nationally as we move forward."
Under the agreement, K-State Olathe will help AAIV grow its membership, increase programming, provide logistical support for webinars and events, and oversee the organization's communication efforts with the general public, current members and future members.
Concurrently, K-State Olathe will use AAIV's member companies to support animal health companies through research, training and education. Graduate students in the campus' Professional Science Master's and veterinary biomedical science degree programs will be able to use these industry connections for capstone projects, job shadowing and internships.
"The AAIV Board of Directors are very excited about this new relationship with K-State Olathe," said Mia Cary, D.V.M., AAIV 2017 board president. "This partnership will bring stabilization to our administrative platform while providing many new opportunities for our members as well as for the animal health industry."
The agreement was developed under the guidance and sponsorship of Boehringer Ingelheim — a diamond sponsor, and Ceva Biomune, Elanco Animal Health, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., Merck and Co. Inc. and Zoetis Inc. as platinum sponsors. Dechra Veterinary Products and The VET Recruiter are silver sponsors.
More about AAIV is available on their recently redesigned website — aaivet.org — and on their social media accounts.