On January 28, 70 middle school students from Central Florida will trade their school uniforms for scrubs as they participate in Believe & Belong in Veterinary Medicine, a unique hands-on educational program hosted by the North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) and blendVET.
Held during the 42nd annual Veterinary Meeting & Expo (VMX) at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, this immersive event introduces students to the world of veterinary medicine through engaging activities and mentorship.
Created to address the lack of diversity in veterinary medicine—where only 1.3% of veterinarians are Black and 5% are Latinx—the program aims to inspire underrepresented students to pursue careers in this field, according to a press release.
Students will work alongside veterinarians and technicians to learn essential skills, including performing physical exams, CPR, drawing blood on models, and suturing. New this year, returning students will explore advanced topics like animal ophthalmology, large animal medicine, and forensic veterinary practices, further deepening their knowledge and skills.