About our Program
The WSU College of Veterinary Medicine and its co-sponsors offer a three-part
Animal Health Policy program to learn about policy-making and implementation at
local, national, and international levels. Each is a case-based course conducted
on- and off-campus through a series of experiential learning opportunities based
on relevant animal health issues.
- The
Local Policy Program focuses on local government and
politics and their interaction with global issues. Students have
visited departments of agriculture in Washington, California,
Ohio, and Minnesota and met with the Secretaries of Agriculture,
state veterinarian, farm bureaus, legislatures, NGOs, and the
local press.
- The
National Policy Program integrates local and national
government with global health issues and international trade
policy. Students have had the opportunity to visit the FDA, USDA
(US Chief Veterinary Officer, Program Officers at NIFA), US Farm
Bureau, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and the
AVMA Government Relations Division.
- The
Global Policy Program focuses on global intergovernmental
agencies and the implications of policy on global animal health
issues. Students have met with representatives from USAID, the
FAO US delegate, and the International Food Policy Research
Institute and speak with lobbyists and the National Press Club.
Each year a select group of 10-15 students from WSU and other universities
participate in this unique program that provides real-world policy experience in
animal health and food safety issues. The program is aimed at early career
professionals such as graduate students in research or professional programs,
and early career professionals in public or private practice animal health.
This is a joint educational effort of the School of Veterinary Medicine, MPVM
program, and Wildlife Health Center (University of California Davis), Global
Initiative for Food Systems Leadership and the Center for Animal Health and Food
Safety (University of Minnesota), and the Paul G. Allen School for Global Animal
Health and College of Veterinary Medicine (Washington State University).
For more information about these programs contact Bill Sischo (wmsischo@vetmed.wsu.edu)
