Student organizations

CVM student organizations

Students at The College of Veterinary Medicine can choose to be involved in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. There are over 20 student organizations with areas of interest both veterinary and non-veterinary related. Student organizations provide students with leadership experience, opportunities for networking, skills development, and much more.

All student organizations within the College of Veterinary Medicine must be officially registered with the University of Minnesota in order to make room reservations, post announcements, and participate in the CVM Student Activities Fair. Visit the Student Unions and Activities homepage, or contact Amanda Anderson, Student Affairs Coordinator, with any questions. 

Student leaders should ensure all guest lectures or business partner presentations comply with the CVM Conflict of Interest Policy (pdf).

Student organizations (alpha order)

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Alpha Psi

Alpha Psi is a professional social fraternity that offers veterinary students the opportunity to network with other veterinary students in a fun, exciting atmosphere. We are also involved in philanthropy through food/toy collections and working with local shelters. Our professional skills are enhanced through our annual spay/neuter wet lab. We have movie nights, wine tastings, and 4 annual parties, including a Halloween party co-hosted with the canine club featuring a pet costume contest.

Animal Behavior Club

The Animal Behavior Club is open to all veterinary students at the University of Minnesota to promote education about animal behavior and to provide a presentation medium for veterinary students on behavior topics. Topics include puppy socialization, behavior of exotic species, dog reactivity, enrichment in research animals, low-stress feline handling, dairy cattle behavior, clicker training, behavioral assessment in shelters, and more. 

Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals Student Chapter

The Association of Asian Veterinary Medical Professionals Student Chapter (AAVMP) aims to inspire, support, and increase the voice and visibility of Asians and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the veterinary profession and advocate for greater general diversity in the veterinary profession.

Christian Veterinary Fellowship

Christian Veterinary Fellowship exists to be a support network for those in the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Our purpose is to encourage and uplift fellow students and faculty/staff in their Christian faith through prayer, service activities, Bible study, and fellowship. 

Global Health Student Advisory Board

The University of Minnesota's Global Health Student Advisory Board (GHSAB) is an interprofessional global health student group. This committee of student representatives from graduate and professional programs across the Health Sciences works to educate and mobilize the next generation of socially responsible global health professionals.

Jump Start!

Jump Start! is a student group in the College of Veterinary Medicine who aims to help first year veterinary students acclimate to the academic demands of veterinary school. Jump Start! holds study sessions, practice exams, and helps to foster a sense of community between the class years in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Production Animal Medicine Club

Production Animal Medicine Club at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to providing education about the food animal industry to its members and our peers. 

One Health Club

One Health Club is an organization to promote veterinary student initiatives and opportunities within One Health systems, and to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and learning within One Health. 

Research Animal Medicine Club

The Research Animal Medicine Club promotes the integration and importance of research within veterinary medicine. It encourages veterinary students to stay informed with cutting edge medicine by participating in journal club, attending speakers from all ranges of research medicine and touring research laboratories around the local area. We hope the RAM Club encourages students to consider research as a fruitful and progressive part of their professional career. Lastly, we serve as the acting liaison between those efforts presented by the university in promoting, advertising, and sponsoring research based events and activities. 

Shelter Medicine Club

At the Shelter Medicine Club our purpose is to promote interest, improve public involvement, and increase the knowledge of veterinarians, vet students, and pre-vet students in the field of shelter medicine. With the help of local shelters, animal controls, and rescue groups, we hope to increase awareness of the homeless animal population and the role we as future veterinarians can play to improve animal welfare. Whether veterinarians are working in private practice or directly in a shelter/animal control, they can make a huge impact in the lives of animals and humans alike by offering resources and knowledge to aid in the reduction of unnecessary relinquishment, abandonment, and euthanasia of companion animals.

Sled Dog Medicine Club

At the Sled Dog Medicine Club we are a group of veterinary students attending the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine that are passionate about sled dogs and canine sports medicine! We are the first official student chapter of the International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association (ISDVMA). Our club hosts lectures and wet labs relevant to the world of sled dogs and canine sports medicine for the benefit of educating veterinary students and networking with veterinarians. We also attend races all over the Midwest to assist veterinarians on race day with the care of canine athletes!

Small Animal Medicine Club

The Small Animal Medicine Club aims to provide lectures, tours, and lab opportunities for our members throughout the year. We will have monthly lectures surrounding canine and feline medicine topics that are relevant currently. We also try to offer at least 2 labs a semester allowing our members to gain hands-on experience with different clinical skills needed in small animal medicine. Finally, we will have tours in some of the labs in the veterinary school as well as outside clinics for members to participate in.

Small Ruminant/Camelid Club

The Small Ruminant/Camelid Club is a group for veterinary students interested in learning more and gaining hands-on experience with sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, cervids, and other small ruminants. We are primarily an experience-focused group and aim to expose vet students to more small ruminant-specific topics through wetlabs.

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Student American Veterinary Medical Association

Student American Veterinary Medical Association Chapter at the University of Minnesota's objective is to promote a spirit of friendly professionalism among the students enrolled in veterinary school. It also provides an opportunity for its members to gain professional knowledge and an understanding of professional ethics and conduct.

Student Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians

The Student Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians seeks to provide a learning environment in which students can further explore and experience the benefits that sports medicine and rehabilitation services offer to veterinary patients. We plan to incorporate a translational scope of medicine and engage members through hands-on and didactic learning across species. With this, we look to emphasize and promote the rewarding opportunities that sports medicine and rehabilitation services offer the collective veterinary community.

Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners

Student Chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners' mission is to educate students, be involved in the community, and promote equine health and welfare.

Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists

Student Chapter of American College of Veterinary Pathologists Club is not often considered within the context of veterinary medicine, but it is of increasing importance to the maintenance and elevation of public health. Veterinary pathologists monitor for zoonotic diseases in wildlife, food-borne illnesses in production animals, and novel, emerging diseases the world over. Our goal is to promote pathology as a career in veterinary medicine. and to enhance student understanding of pathological concepts by hosting lectures, wet labs, and other activities. 

Student Chapter for the Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry

The student chapter of the Foundation of Veterinary Dentistry (SCFVD) at the University of Minnesota is committed to advancing the knowledge, education, and awareness of veterinary dentistry among veterinarians, students and the public. Through our efforts, we are successfully increasing awareness of the importance of this facet of animal medicine.

Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services

Student Initiative for Reservation Veterinary Services is a group of veterinary students who have recognized a need for veterinary services in underserved Reservation communities in Minnesota. Our mission is to train future veterinarians by serving communities in need.

Student Society of Veterinary Surgery

Student Society of Veterinary Surgery's aim is to promote knowledge in the field of veterinary surgery by scheduling speakers and participating in surgery specific labs and other activities within the College of Veterinary Medicine. This organization also aims to give the veterinary student an accurate idea of what life is like as a veterinary surgeon and how to get there.

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Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society

Student Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society is a student organization designed to further foster interest and knowledge of emergency medicine amongst veterinary students. Meetings on special topics or interests in emergency medicine are held during the semester. Wet labs are held so students can be taught and practice emergency procedures and technical skills under guidance.

Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment

Veterinarians as One Inclusive Community for Empowerment (VOICE) is a student-run organization that addresses a need for socio-cultural awareness that is not part of the current core veterinary curriculum. Therefore, we feel that the veterinary colleges and the profession as a whole will embrace VOICE and partner with our organization to fill this gap in the curriculum. We plan to be an organized and unified student voice contributing to enhancing the diversity of the profession and the cultural competence of veterinary students. We plan to work with the AVMA, SAVMA, and AAVMC on diversity issues as they relate to the veterinary profession.

Veterinary Business Management Association

Veterinary Business Management Association seeks to advance the profession through increasing business knowledge, creating networking opportunities, and empowering College of Veterinary students to achieve their personal and professional goals. If you haven't discovered already, the veterinary curriculum is bursting at the seams with the advance of scientific knowledge and technology. Competing with the limited time is the fact that many veterinarians go on to be small business owners and managers and require business knowledge and skills to prepare them for practice. The Minnesota VBMA offers opportunities to add to your knowledge and skill base in preparation for your career. Even if you don't intend to own a business someday the VBMA offers great learning opportunities for everyone.

Veterinary History Club

The Veterinary History Club explores and shares the stories of the veterinary profession as well as preserving the history being made today by current students. Our goal is to hold meetings and social events to promote historical topics, as well as establish a student gallery space. We will work alongside the Minnesota Veterinary History Museum in order to engage the College of Veterinary Medicine community and beyond.

Veterinary Treatment Outreach for Urban Community Health

Veterinary Treatment Outreach for Urban Community Health (VeTouch) is a program that was developed in the University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine that stands for Veterinary Treatment Outreach for Urban Community Health. VeTouch provides basic veterinary medical care to the pets of low-income and no-income residents of the Twin Cities to promote urban community health and enhance the welfare of people and animals in Minnesota.

Zoological, Exotic, Avian and Wildlife Medicine Club

The Zoological, Exotic, Avian and Wildlife Medicine Club's  purpose is to promote the education of veterinary students in all aspects of zoo, exotic, avian, and wildlife medicine. These areas traditionally are poorly represented in veterinary coursework. Therefore, as a club, we strive to provide many educational experiences through regular meetings and lectures, clinical case presentations, wet labs, and field trips.