Getting Involved in Veterinary Policy

Veterinary professionals interested in policy have a range of opportunities to get involved, according to Dilara Kiran, DVM, MS. Kiran shared practical ways veterinary professionals can begin engaging in policy conversations, highlighting resources such as the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network, advocacy days, and state veterinary medical associations as accessible entry points for those interested in getting involved.

One of the ways to get involved is through the AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network, which allows individuals to sign up online and receive emails about issues on the state and federal level. These emails often include calls to action, such as signing a form letter to be sent to representatives.

Another great way to get involved is through organizational hill days or advocacy days, where a group of people are sent to DC to advocate for specific issues. These events typically include a crash course in advocacy and provide hands-on experience.

Veterinary professionals can also leverage their state VMAs, as many have legislative committees that can use extra help and provide guidance on local issues.

## Getting Started with Policy

For those interested in learning more, Kiran recommends checking out the handout associated with her AVMA talk, which provides a list of opportunities and resources for engaging in policy conversations.

## Resources for Getting Involved

| Resource | Description | | --- | --- | | AVMA Congressional Advocacy Network | Online platform for receiving emails about state and federal issues and participating in calls to action | | Advocacy Days | Organizational events where a group of people are sent to DC to advocate for specific issues | | State Veterinary Medical Associations | Many have legislative committees that can use extra help and provide guidance on local issues |

By taking advantage of these resources and opportunities, veterinary professionals can begin engaging in policy conversations and make a difference in the field.