Pfizer Animal Health, American Association of Bovine Practitioners Announce Call for Applications for Veterinary Student Scholarships

Scholarship applications due June 15 Pfizer Animal Health and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) are now accepting applications for the 2011 AABP Foundation - Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund. The AABP Foundation - Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarships are funded through a unique partnership with veterinarians, animal health suppliers and dealers. Scholarships are awarded to beef and dairy veterinary students to help offset the cost of veterinary school. In 2010, 29 students each received $5,000 scholarships through the AABP Foundation - Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund, for a total of $145,000 in awards. "We strongly encourage veterinary students to take advantage of this funding opportunity to reduce their debt at graduation. As with all phases of life, reducing debt enhances a new graduate's ability to pursue a career of his or her choosing," says M. Gatz Riddell Jr., DVM, executive vice president, AABP. "AABP and Pfizer Animal Health fully support the future of large-animal veterinarians and we are proud to provide this scholarship program to the industry's next generation of veterinarians." Scholarship applicants must be students graduating with their veterinary degree in 2012, and be enrolled in colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States. Eligible students can visit www.foundation.aabp.org/pfizer for additional details regarding the scholarship program and to access the online application form. Applications are due through the AABP website by Wednesday, June 15. Scholarship applications will be evaluated on the overall interest of the applicant in bovine veterinary practice; involvement in bovine medicine and extracurricular activities; and the ability to express oneself in writing and provide insightful answers to essay questions. Grades are considered, but do not make up the majority of the evaluation for selection of scholarship recipients. Membership in the local college's student chapter of AABP or Food Animal Club is strongly encouraged. The scholarship program is administered by the AABP Foundation with the assistance of the Amstutz Scholarship Committee. Scholarship recipients will be notified prior to the 2011 AABP Annual Conference held Sept. 22 through 24, in St. Louis, Mo. Scholarship recipients will be encouraged and funded to attend the AABP Annual Conference to receive recognition, but attendance is not required to receive the scholarship. Funding for the scholarship program is provided by the FFA/AABP Foundation Support Program. The program, which provides funding for local FFA chapters in addition to the AABP Foundation - Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship program, offered a 1 percent rebate on Pfizer Animal Health cattle products from Jan. 1 through March 31, 2011. Participating partners were able to direct funds to any local FFA chapter(s) or the AABP Foundation - Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund. The AABP Foundation/Pfizer Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Fund is part of Pfizer Animal Health's Commitment to Veterinarians, an initiative supporting veterinarians through training and education, research and development, and investment in the future of the veterinary profession. In March 2011, Pfizer Animal Health awarded $750,000 in scholarships to 300 students, half of whom were studying to practice food production and mixed animal veterinary medicine. Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines and prescription medicines, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health product research and development. For more information about how Pfizer Animal Health works to ensure a safe, sustainable global food supply from healthy livestock, fish and poultry; or helps companion animals and horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit www.PfizerAH.com. 05.05.2011