Meeting Minutes 10/2

Animal Science Club

October 2, 2013

Treasurer’s Report: 

− $1509.77

Old Business: 

− New website! universityofdelaware.wix.com/animalscienceclub

    − Check out the calendar of events!

− Amazing time at Steve Cook’s farm!

− Email Ariana or Jess for your Cowtown Reimbursements (last week to get your money 

back!)

− Long-sleeved t-shirts

    − Sign up on Google Doc!

    − Go to udel email‡drive‡shared with you‡t shirt form

    − Periwinkle design on black shirt

    − Less than $15!

− Hog Slat, Inc. Position available! 

    − Contact jthomas@hogslat.com

New Business:

− Fill out survey for e-board evaluation!

    − On your Google Drive

− NESA practice!

    − Sign up still ongoing!

Chair Reports:

− Social: 

• Milburn Orchards trip on Sunday 10/13!

− Meet at Lot 19 @ 10:30AM

− Fundraising: 

• Meltdown Fundraiser all day Wednesday 10/16!

− Meet in Memorial 109, then we’re heading over as a group!

− Invite friends! Requires a voucher which will be available at the next meeting

• Pumpkin Sale (Friday 10/25 @ Townsend & Monday 10/28 @ Trabant)

− Service: 

• Trip to Steve Cook’s farm on Saturday 10/19!

− Livestock: 

• [DATES TBA]

• Alpaca farm tour

• Horseback riding ($35 per person)

− Riding horses along a trail, super fun and totally worth it!!

• Speakers: Richard Morris and Scott Hopkins

− Dairy and Webb farm directors!

− Pre-Veterinary: 

• Penn Vet Panel on Wednesday 10/23 in place of meeting @ 6PM

− Meeting in Memorial 123!!

Miscellaneous Announcements:

− Rising Sun dairy farm in Maryland

• Part time employment opportunity!!

• Weekends, Tuesdays, and Fridays‡ calf feedings

• Working with calves!

− Feeding, monitoring, and administering treatments

• Contact Laura Nemec for more info!

− Fairhill International

• 10/17-10/20

• Fairhill, MD

Mark L. Morris Sr. and the Birth of Prescription Pet Food

April 23, 2013
By Donald F. Smith

I am always fascinated when an author or producer introduces a veterinary backstory into a movie, book or other form of pop culture. Recent examples include Water for Elephants¹ and War Horse.²Though a story of fighter pilots rather than birds, Red Tails³ also has a connection to veterinary medicine.

So when a friend gave me a copy of the novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, last summer, the reference to a famous guide dog named Buddy bred by a kennel in New Jersey caught my attention. While investigating events surrounding the suspicious death of his father, young Edgar discovers letters written in 1934 by his late grandfather to a man in Morristown named Brooks, one of the original breeders of guide dogs for the blind. Author David Wroblewski doesn’t tell us about the far-reaching contribution of Buddy, his role in the development of the pet food industry in general, so here is the “rest of the story.”

Cover of David Wroblewski’s novel,
“The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”.
(Photo by Dr. Smith)

Mark Morris was an advanced-standing transfer student who arrived at Cornell University in the fall of 1925 and received his veterinary degree the following spring. Two years later, he established the Raritan Hospital for Animals in Edison, New Jersey, considered at the time to be the second exclusive small animal practice in the country.⁴ Ahead of his time in many of his veterinary concepts and practices, Morris became convinced that proper nutrition was essential to improve the health and well-being of pets.

Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr., Cornell Graduate 1926
(Photograph © Cornell University)

During the 1930s, a blind man named Morris Frank was touring the country by train with the country’s first guide dog for the blind, a Swiss-born German Shepherd named Buddy. Morris and Buddy became national advocates for these working dogs, demonstrating the positive impact they could have on the life of a blind person, allowing them to navigate in their homes and communities independently, safely and with dignity.

When Buddy’s life was threatened by kidney disease, Dr. Morris was consulted and he formulated a diet low in protein and salt that slowed the progression of the renal failure. This diet allowed Buddy and Mr. Frank to continue their travels about the country spreading the good news of dogs as helping companions for the blind.

Initially, Buddy’s special food was mailed as needed to Mr. Frank in glass jars, but the jars often broke in transit. Morris and his wife, Louise, then developed a canning procedure for processing of the specialized diet. Meanwhile, everywhere Mr. Frank and Buddy went throughout the country, they were telling people of the miraculous and life-saving food developed by the Morris’ back in New Jersey.⁵ The Morris’ fame spread and the prescription pet food industry was born.

The ‘kidney diet’ was named Canine k/d®, and was later licensed to Hill’s Packing Company (now Hill’s Pet Nutrition) to produce what became a growing line of pet prescription formula diets.⁶

Mark L. Morris Sr. weighing a puppy.
(© The Morris Animal Foundation)

With the royalties from the sale of these diets, Mark Morris established a foundation in 1948 dedicated to animal health and well-being. Originally called the Buddy Foundation, the Morris Animal Foundationis now the largest organization in the world to invest in research that promises to advance veterinary medicine and improve the quality of life for companion animals, horses and wildlife. The Foundation also supports scholarships for veterinary students.

In 1993 Dr. Morris died at the age of 92. His legacy continued through his veterinarian son, Dr. Mark L. Morris Jr., who died in 2007.⁷

Dr. Mark L. Morris Sr. in late life.
(© The Morris Animal Foundation)

Dow AgroSciences Internship Opportunities

Dow AgroSciences has positions available for students seeking 

summer internship opportunities. These opportunities are 

full-time positions available from May until August.

Applicable majors would include:
•Any agriculture-related majors
•Biology (biochemistry, biotechnology, cell biology, entomology, microbiology, molecular biology, plant pathology, or plant physiology)
•Chemistry (analytical, organic, or physical)
•Informatics (bioinformatics or chemical)

R&D opportunities include

 both laboratory-based and field station research positions. Positions for R&D field station research are located throughout the US whereas the laboratory-based R&D positions are located at our headquarters in Indianapolis, IN.

Job Descriptions
Research and Development: The R&D intern program provides an opportunity for students to work closely with a senior scientist in order to improve technical skills while being given a developmental opportunity in an industrial setting. It is desirable that the intern have past practical experience in handling chemicals, operating laboratory equipment, generating and manipulating data, as well as computer database and word-processing skills. Interns are encouraged to be creative and take initiative, where appropriate, and will be granted significant latitude for discretionary decisions and independence of action within guidelines established by their supervisor. Interns are expected to always operate in a safe and efficient manner.

Qualified interns should be pursuing a BS or MS degree in biology, chemistry, informatics, or closely related majors. 

Students having completed at least their junior year are preferred. A chemistry intern candidate having a working knowledge of organic synthesis and/or experience with modern chromatographic techniques is highly desirable.

For a biology intern, it would be advantageous to have a working knowledge of their area of study. Interns will be part of a team responsible for the development of novel agricultural products. Good interpersonal, communication, organizational, teamwork and time management skills are essential.

Primary responsibilities:
•       Review and research project background and status with mentor
•       Become proficient in laboratory and/or greenhouse experiments or biochemical assays to characterize experimental, developmental, and commercial herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and products of biotechnology
•       Participate in all phases of research including planning, preparation, calibration, application, evaluation, data analysis, maintenance, and when necessary, appropriate disposal.
•       Design and conduct experiments, with mentorship guidance, within a defined project
•       Make novel observations
•       Collect and interpret data
•       Draw sound scientific conclusions based on data analysis. The results of these studies, and the conclusions generated, will impact research plans and advancement decisions on the experimental materials.
•       Present project reviews before colleagues and peers
Contact Information

To apply for an R&D internship at Dow AgroSciences, please submit one document which includes a cover letter (detailing your interest in an internship and any relevant research experience), your resume and your current overall GPA.  Be sure to specify your preference for R&D laboratory-based positions or field R&D positions. Resumes are accepted beginning in October for the following year's internships, until December 31st.  Log into Blue Hen Careers to apply.

9/25 Minutes

September 25, 2013

Treasurer’s Report: 

•  $1,509.77

Old Business: 

• Cowtown trip got cancelled
• Get your refunds from Jess at the next meeting!
•  Dues were due!

New Business:

• T-shirt design! 
• Black print on a periwinkle shirt!
• We should be getting them sometime in November
•  Hog Slat, Inc. & Georgia Poultry Equipment Company speaker
•  Jamie Thomas (jthomas@hogslat.com)
•  LinkedIn page!
• hogslat.com
• Career section
• Supply buildings and equipment to poultry farms
• Position Available! Sale’s training position for graduating seniors, or juniors graduating next year!
• Get training in all areas of the sale cycle—engineering, equipment installation, distribution, marketing, and customer service.

Chair Reports:

•  Social: 
• Milburn Orchards apple picking! (Sunday, 10/13)
• Fundraising: 
• Meldown Fundraiser (Wednesday, 10/16)
• Don’t eat beforehand!
• We will be meeting briefly beforehand in Memorial 109, then walking over as a group!
• Pumpkin Sale (Friday 10/25 @Townsend & Monday 10/28 @Trabant)
• Service: 
• Steve Cook’s farm trip (this Saturday, 9/29) - FULL
• Meeting at 8:15AM in Lot 19; returning around 2PM
• If you would like to go on your own/with friends another time, just email him! stephen.cook@cr.k12.de.us 
•  Pre-Veterinary: 
• Penn Vet Panel (Wednesday, 10/23 @ 6PM)
• Room TBA, but this will take place instead of the usual meeting!
• Miscellaneous Announcements:
• Fall Career Fair on 9/26 from 11-3PM in the Bob
• Poultry Career Series starts 9/26 at 6PM in Allen Lab

Poultry Careers Seminar Series

Poultry Careers Seminar Series

Have ever considered a career in poultry science? If not, to consider one now! The economy may not be strong,
but employment opportunities are still great in the poultry industry, USDA, allied poultry industries and animal biologics (pharmaceuticals,etc.) for full time employment and internships. A number of your classmates have and were hired last year.

The first of four Poultry Careers Seminar Series is Thursday 9/26, at 6pm in the Allen Lab with speakers from the Delmarva Poultry Industry, Inc. (non-profit trade association) who will introduce students to the poultry industry and it’s many poultry career opportunities and the USDA Ag Marketing Service (AMS) will discuss internship and career opportunities associated with their programs, such as providing accurate, current and unbiased information on prices, volume, quality, condition and other data via satellite and other electronic means in their market news reports. The AMS commodity procurement group purchases about 1.5 million worth of poultry, egg products, meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables annually, for food assistance programs including the National School Lunch Program. The USDA AMS also oversees the efficient, fair marketing of U.S. agricultural products, including food, fiber, and specialty crops in the global marketplace.

During the first seminar I will also  present information about how to apply for the opportunity to travel to Atlanta, GA in January 2014, to attend the US Poultry Foundation’s College Student Career program. This is an opportunity for sophomore, junior, senior and graduate students to interview with ~25 regional, national and international poultry and agribusiness companies and organizations while having the opportunity to network with over 1100 companies at the largest international poultry and agribusiness trade show. Most student travel
expenses are covered with a cost of $75 for students attending this program.

A light dinner (subs, sandwiches, pizza, etc) will be provided at 6:00pm and will give you an opportunity to interact with the speakers before the program begins. There will also be a drawing for two $50 Barnes and Noble gift cards for several lucky students that attend all 4 seminars.

Additional seminars will be held on 10/15. 10/22, and 10/30 with speakers from Perdue Farms, Cobb-Vantress, Mountaire Farms, UD Cooperative Extension Service and more. I hope to see you at the seminars. 

Contact Robert Alphin, ralphin@udel.edu, if you have questions!

9/11 Meeting Minutes

Animal Science Club

---

September 11, 2013

Memorial 109

6:00 pm

Treasurer’s Report:

• $1509.77

Old Business:

• Room change pending approval
• Dues!
• $20 for new members, $10 for returning members
• Dues are paid once per academic year
• Due by 9/25
• Active membership
• Attend 75% of meetings, participate in at least 1 community service project & 1 fundraiser, and sign up for a shift on Ag Day (in the spring)
• Event commitment
• If you sign up, GO!
• Otherwise give 24 hour notice
• Legen…dairy t-shirts on sale! $13
• If a returning member, pick up Block&Bridle certificate from last year

New Business:

• Agreement to Participate Form
• MANDATORY for trips!
• https://studentcentral.udel.edu/form/start/16155
• Cowtown Rodeo
• Saturday, 9/21
• Meeting @ 5:30PM in Lot 19 (see campus map; near the train tracks on the way to north campus, right next to intersection of South College and Cleveland)
• Returning by 10:30-11PM
• We will be carpooling!
• $12, give to Jess

Chair Reports: Welcome new chair heads!

• Social: Melissa Volpone
• Fundraising: Jess (Treasurer)
• Service: Meredith Bonnell
• Livestock: Albert D’Agostino
• Pre-Veterinary: Sarah Morrisey

Miscellaneous Announcements:

• Special Olympics Equestrian Competition Volunteer
• See email I sent out this week or contact Jess or Laura Nemec
• Applications due Sunday 9/15
• Event: Saturday 9/21
• Tri-State Bird Rescue Yard Sale Volunteer
• Saturday 10/5 from 12:45-2:30PM

New Castle County Mounted Patrol Unit Internship

New Castle County Mounted Patrol Unit

is offering for credit a

 

Summer 2013 Equine Internship

Carousel Park Equestrian Center

3700 Limestone Rd Wilmington, DE 19807

 

The New Castle County (NCC) Mounted Patrol Unit owns and utilizes 10 draft and draft-cross horses for police work. The unit and horses are based at the Carousel Park Equestrian Center, located approximately 20 minutes north of the University of Delaware. Your internship will be primarily focused on the daily care, maintenance, training and possibly exercise of newly acquired Clydesdale horses. Through this internship, you will learn and improve upon a variety of general horsemanship skills as well as skills that are more specific to that of the mounted patrol unit. The newly acquired Clydesdale horses are to be trained for routine patrol as members of the police department.

Your responsibilities will include barn management such as feeding, grooming, tacking horses, bathing and mucking stalls. There is the possibility for a candidate with experience in horsemanship and riding to ride horses that have already completed their police training. This will be determined during the internship period. The projected work schedule is generally Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., however some weekend hours will be required during special events. You will also have the opportunity to assist with coordinating and advertising special events (e.g. NCC Mounted Patrol Unit fundraisers), and to work with other members of Law Enforcement as well as civilian employees.

 

The Carousel Park Equestrian Center is situated on 205 acres with well groomed riding trails, ponds and a cross country course.  The center is equipped with an indoor and outdoor riding ring for all weather riding. For more information see: http://www.carouselparkequestrian.com/

 

The successful applicant will be required to sign a waiver of liability assuming all responsibility for injury.

 

Requirements:

o   Live locally and have reliable transportation to and from the Equestrian Center

o   Ability to begin internship within 1-2 weeks of the end of the school semester

o   A desire to work hard and learn about the care and training of mounted police horses

o   Open to new ideas and practices for managing horses

o   Some equine experience required, although it does not have to be extensive

o   A full report summarizing your experiences at the end of the internship

 

To apply: Email the following in a WORD document to Nemeclm@udel.edu by April 26th.  A decision will be made in early May.

o   Send a 1-page resume AND

o   a 1-page statement that includes:

§  A short summary of your equine experience

§  How the internship will contribute to your professional development

§  How you will contribute to the internship program (what will you be remembered for)

 

Note:  In order for this internship to meet the DLE requirement, students must register for ANFS 464.  You can speak to an academic advisor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences about ANFS 464. However, if you do not need DLE or do not want “credit” for the experience, you can just include the experience in your professional resume.