Veterinary Emergency Response
The International Animal Welfare Institute oversees the training of veterinary students in the Student Club Student Veterinary Emergency Response Team (sVERT) at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; The training is the Special Studies Program in Veterinary Emergency Response. UC Davis sVERT members receive training from staff and faculty from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and affiliated members of International Animal Welfare Training Institute. They complete requirements and become California Disaster Service Workers Volunteers and are able to deploy to emergencies and disasters under the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET).
In the past, the Special Studies Program training and deployment of sVERT members was provided by the UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team, which was primarily a training entity for disaster and emergency related veterinary response and preparedness. Members of sVERT deployed under the UCD-VERT Medical Reserve Corps. As part of the training and in response to societal needs UCDavis VERT was activated on a local basis for assistance in disasters, as well as animal emergencies when additional expertise is needed for technical rescue.
The Special Studies Program in Veterinary Emergency Response is focused on training of veterinary students, alongside veterinary professionals, first responders such as fire service and animal care services personnel, and animal emergency response teams in all aspects of animal related disasters including evacuation training, large animal rescue, animal sheltering, triage, medical evaluation and treatment of injuries related to fire, flood, and . Training includes optional helicopter equine rescue.
The sVERT members perform demonstrations and training to community members on disaster preparedness at community events including County Fairs, 4-H Outreach, UC Davis Horse Day, UC Davis Picnic Day and more.
VERT has partnered with the HALTER Project - Leading Residents to Safety and Preparedness in outreach activities. These include training of first responders and to communities in disaster preparedness.
What is sVERT's Special Study Program (SSP)?
A Special Study Program in Veterinary Emergency Response is a sequence of course modules for veterinary students that focus on development of specific knowledge, skills, and toolkit about emergency action in veterinary medicine. These skills include emergency animal rescue, triage and care of animals in emergencies and disasters, veterinary care at emergency shelter, emergency treatments, euthanasia and biosecurity, and collaboration with other organizations and agencies. Our goal is to train future veterinarians to have skill sets to aid and lead emergency situations involving the care of animals.
Outcomes of the sVERT Special Study Program in Veterinary Emergency Response
Completion of FEMA Independent Studies: ICS 100 and ICS 200 and IS 700 (NIMS) [and IS 800]
Disaster Service Worker (DSW) registration with the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET)
Certificate of Completion in Veterinary Emergency Responder issued by the International Animal Welfare Training Institute
Courses Offered to Veterinary Students (See Course Outline Here)
Specialized Study Program Level 1
Specialized Study Program Level 2 (for students who have completed SSP Level 1)
After completing all the requirements for each Specialized Study Program, each student will receive a certificate.
The Disaster Service Worker credential allows students to deploy to emergencies and disasters under the California Veterinary Emergency Team (CVET) at UC Davis. This credential can be maintained after students graduate from veterinary school and wish to remain deployable volunteers with CVET.
*This course is constantly improving to provide the most up to date information and knowledge for our students; the contents of the course might be subjected to change.