Event provides experience to those wishing to enter veterinary field
Thursday, January 2, 2025
Media Contact: Taylor Bacon | Public Relations and Marketing Manager | 405-744-6728 | cvmcommunications@okstate.edu
Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine faculty and students gathered in Oklahoma City and Tulsa to educate and mentor youth livestock exhibitors.
What began as an idea sparked by Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur blossomed into a sister partnership with Dr. Rosslyn Biggs, assistant clinical professor, beef cattle extension specialist and CVM director of continuing education.
Biggs and Arthur recognized a need for experienced and hardworking 4-H and FFA members to pursue careers in veterinary medicine. Combining their passions and knowledge, they developed at the ExpOSUre: Livestock Docs.
"Not only are we introducing them to veterinary medicine, but we are challenging them to be problem solvers and teaching them about the importance of animal health."
At the ExpOSUre, students ages 8 to 18 participated in a series of stations, each led by established livestock veterinarians and CVM students. From tail-tying procedures to calving simulations, participants were fully exposed to a day in the life of a mixedpractice veterinarian.
“Through collaboration and preparation, the ExpOSUre was intended to catalyze for livestock exhibitors to gain hands-on experience and network with veterinarians,” Biggs said. “There is no better way to inspire them than to expose them to real-world experiences with Oklahoma’s best.”
Stations led by veterinarians and CVM students taught participants how to mix vaccines properly and provided instruction on giving intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, best physical examination strategies, leg wrapping techniques and more. Biggs said getting students hands-on experience with common clinic procedures is a big step in preparing them for their undergraduate degree and, eventually, veterinary school.
“When students are exposed to opportunities to learn and grow confidence in their abilities, they are likely to take these skills home with them and implement them into their operation,” Biggs said. “Not only are we introducing them to veterinary medicine, but we are challenging them to be problem solvers and teaching them about the importance of animal health.”
An event of this caliber is not a simple feat and those involved are no strangers to bringing big ideas to fruition for Oklahoma youth. Four integral groups joined together to make this event happen. Biggs said the OSU CVM, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, and the Oklahoma Pork Council were eager to help recruit green and blue jacket students to pursue white coats.
“Addressing Oklahoma’s rural and large animal veterinary shortage has been a priority for ODAFF and many of our partners,” said JanLee Rowlett, deputy commissioner of agriculture. “We want to use every opportunity and tool available to us to recruit the next generation of veterinarians and help current and future practitioners be successful.”

Rowlett said the OSU CVM, OVMA, and the Oklahoma Pork Council are proactive in their attempts to provide opportunities for students to identify their career aspirations.
“When we think about who is most likely to have an interest in large animal medicine and might be willing to build a life and career in rural communities, youth livestock exhibitors have to be part of the conversation,” Rowlett said.
Rural Oklahoma and states nationwide are experiencing vast veterinarian and technician shortages. According to the Farm Journal Foundation, more than 500 counties across the U.S. have shortages of food animal veterinarians. An event like the ExpOSUre is aimed at recruiting and retaining passionate young agriculturists in the field to combat this obstacle.
These youth exhibitors value the strong relationships formed with their local veterinarians. Biggs said it is essential to offer learning opportunities for students to capitalize on their agriculture experiences and kickstart an excitement for veterinary medicine.
“In my role as CVM director of continuing education, we talk a lot about concerns in clinic mentorships and ensuring students are prepared to go out into the field,” Biggs said. “Programs like ExpOSUre are going to be pivotal in providing mentoring opportunities between current prosperous veterinarians and excited young people.”
Building relationships between veterinarians, CVM students, and 4-H and FFA members provides connections that can help them through every step of their path to becoming a veterinarian. Biggs said encouragement from respected mixed-practice veterinarians is crucial in building young leaders’ confidence to pursue animal science.
Another aspect incorporated into the event was the importance of biosecurity in livestock and veterinary medicine environments. At the Tulsa State Fair ExpOSUre, former Oklahoma Pork Council interns Presley Pullen and Gus Ward led a swine-focused biosecurity simulation to show students the effects of sanitation practices and traceability using Glo-Germ.
“When pursuing paths in veterinary medicine, it is important for students to recognize the importance of strong biosecurity and the Oklahoma Pork Council is exceptional at educating students in a fun way,” Biggs said.
"These events are designed to be fun and very introductory, We want everyone to feel free to jump in and enjoy the experience, whether they know they definitely want to be a veterinarian or even if they think their future holds something totally different."
Learning proper biosecurity practices is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop a veterinarianclient- patient relationship and create a plan for their livestock’s health. The industry is always encouraging future opportunities for students to capitalize on during their path to becoming a veterinarian, but biosecurity is something they can put into exercise immediately.
“I really enjoyed getting to learn and see how things in the veterinary world worked at a closer level,” said Hudson Andrews, Purcell FFA member and ODAFF Agriculture Youth Council member. “I came in with some prior knowledge from working with horses, cattle and swine, but really enjoyed seeing the proper way to do things as well as diving more in-depth on why we do certain things.”
Like Andrews, Oklahoma Pork Council executive director Kylee Deniz credits her show pig involvement with sparking a commitment to the agricultural industry.
“As a former 4-H and FFA member with experience showing swine, I know firsthand how impactful these early livestock experiences can be,” Deniz said. “Not just because of the educational component, but the connections made with people who inspire and guide us.”
Deniz is a dedicated mentor to Oklahoma youth, creating unique learning opportunities through workshops, internships and partnerships with institutions like OSU.
“Being a proud OSU Cowboy, it was exciting for me to be a part of introducing Oklahoma State Fair and Tulsa State Fair livestock exhibitors to the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine as a premier place where they can enhance their skills, develop their expertise and make a significant impact on animal health,” Deniz said.
While there are no official future ExpOSUre events on the calendar yet, Biggs and Arthur said they are open to any opportunity to meet students where they are and plan to continue educating youth in agriculture in this way.
“These events are designed to be fun and very introductory,” Rowlett said. “We want everyone to feel free to jump in and enjoy the experience, whether they know they definitely want to be a veterinarian or even if they think their future holds something totally different.”
The first ExpOSUre was a great success due largely to state industry supporters. Each student left the event with a T-shirt sponsored by the OVMA and a new understanding of the role of mixed-practice veterinarians.
“The CVM remains committed to investing in the next generation of veterinarians and this opportunity served as a great way to do that,” Biggs said.
Photos By: Taylor Bacon
Story By: Presley Pullen | Vet Cetera Magazine