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K-State Today

September 27, 2012

K-State veterinary student receives large-animal medicine scholarship

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

Fourth-year student Brooks Butler is the new recipient of a scholarship from a program that has only existed for about as long as he has been in veterinary college.

For the fourth year, Pfizer Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, or AABP, Foundation have joined forces to provide financial support to veterinary students pursuing careers in large-animal veterinarian medicine.

"In the past four years, the AABP Foundation-Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund has awarded $385,000 in scholarships to 77 veterinary students. That's an incredible amount of support for our future generation of veterinarians," said Dr. M. Gatz Riddell Jr., executive vice president of the association and a 1977 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine graduate of Kansas State University. "Our continued partnership with Pfizer Animal Health on this program is helping make a difference for our young veterinary students."

Brooks was one of 15 veterinary students from across the United States who were recognized as 2012 recipients of the AABP Foundation-Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship fund at the association's annual conference Sept. 19-22 in Montreal, Quebec. Each student received a $5,000 scholarship and many attended the conference with paid travel and lodging. Brooks was unable to attend the conference.

"Pfizer Animal Health supports future veterinarians at every stage. Externships provide students with hands-on experiences that can't be taught in the classroom," said Doug Braun, veterinary segment manager, Pfizer Animal Health Strategic Initiatives.

Pfizer Animal Health supports the scholarships through its FFA and foundation support program, a unique partnership with veterinarians, animal health suppliers and dealers.

"In addition to financial support, we also make sure students have access to educational resources and are given the opportunity to network with other veterinarians. We feel these can be key to a successful career in veterinary medicine," Braun said.

The program offered a 1 percent rebate on Pfizer Animal Health cattle products from Jan. 1 to March 31. Participating partners were able to direct funds to any local FFA chapter or the AABP Foundation-Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship fund.

The AABP Foundation-Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship fund is a component of Pfizer Animal Health's trademarked Commitment to Veterinarians platform, which offers support through training and education, research and development, investing in the future of the veterinary profession, and philanthropy.