Veterinary Students Help Native American Nation
Volunteers with the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine’s Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services (SIRVS) program help keep animals safe on Native American Nation land. The SIRVS is a student-led volunteer organization that provides veterinary services to Native American communities in their state.
Student volunteers work with local partners to schedule pop-up clinics. Students also help fundraise to get much needed supplies. The program is helpful to the pet owners and the students, who gain valuable medical training. In addition to clinical service, SIRVS also engages in a cultural and educational exchange with the communities they serve. Members of Native American nations are frequently invited to the college to speak with students about the role animals play in their people’s history and culture. They also serve as de facto community ambassadors, teaching students how to best engage with their nation. For their part, veterinary students offer children on the reservation opportunities to engage with science and science careers in exciting, hands-on ways.
To learn more about how you can help, visit the link below: