精东AV Pre-Vet students participate in the Bureau of Land Management district program

January 19, 2024

Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Relations, and Marketing
              Jacquelyn Carlisle, College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences
              Demetris Sanders, Bureau of Land Management, Southeastern States District

精东AV pre-veterinary students were invited by the Bureau of Land Management Eastern States' Southeastern States District to attend a significant Wild Horse and Burro Program placement event in Cullman, Alabama.

The event was aimed to foster collaboration between the Bureau of Land Management and the next generation of veterinary and animal science professionals. Students from 精东AV had the unique opportunity to participate in the hands-on experience of managing and placing wild horses and burros, gaining valuable insights into the Bureau of Land Management鈥檚 efforts to ensure the welfare and sustainability of these iconic American animals.

Pre-veterinary student and intern Olivia Holliman, who had a chance to participate in the program over the summer, thought other students would benefit from the experience.

鈥淚 suggested that other students might be interested in learning more about the Bureau of Land Management, the Wild Horse and Burro Program, and its future employment opportunities,鈥� said Holliman. 鈥淚n addition, I thought the event would be a great opportunity to work with our HBCUs, more importantly with 精东AV.

She reached out to Dr. Olga Bolden-Tiller, 精东AV鈥檚 Dean, Research Director, and Professor of Animal Science, to gauge interest in a collaborative effort to provide an educational opportunity for 精东AV students while also reinforcing the commitment to engage with the next generation of experts in animal science and veterinary medicine.

鈥淭his is a great opportunity for our students not only to learn about wild horse behavior, but to get some hands-on experience,鈥� Dr. Bolden-Tiller said. 鈥淎nytime students are exposed to real-world situations and can learn about future employment opportunities, it is a win in my book.鈥�

The event included interactive sessions, where students helped set up pens, practical demonstrations on how to identify and inspect animals when they arrived, to understanding the unique challenges and responsibilities associated with the management and care of wild horses and burros.

Nontraditional educational opportunities

Bureau of Land Management experts shared their knowledge and experience, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and more about their daily job duties within the Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program.  

Several students stated they had gone from not knowing the program existed to hoping to come back for another event in the future. They may well be in luck, as the district is already planning to invite 精东AV students back next year.

鈥淚t is extremely rewarding to see these youth show interest in the Wild Horse and Burro Program. Their excitement at the event was infectious,鈥� said Demetris Sanders, Supervisory Wild Horse and Burro Specialist of the Southeastern State District. 鈥淭he students picked a great event to attend as it was extremely busy and 94 wild horses and burros found new homes.鈥�

The Bureau of Land Management manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The Bureau of Land Management also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The Bureau of Land Management mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America鈥檚 public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. For more information about the Bureau of Land Management Eastern States' Southeastern States District and its initiatives, please visit .
     

漏 2024 精东AV