Progress 09/01/23 to 08/31/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience for our project during the reporting period is predominantly located in Cambria County and Indiana County, with a growing presence in Blair, Clearfield, Somerset, and Westmoreland Counties. Within the first year, we have extended our reach to Allegheny, Armstrong, and Washington Counties to the west, as well as Bedford, Centre, and Clinton Counties to the east. Among our clientele, we serve a segment of Mennonite and Amish communities who rely on large animal veterinary services to maintain the health and productivity of their herds, which are essential to their daily lives and livelihood. In addition to serving our clients, we have actively engaged with students of various backgrounds through job shadow and externship opportunities under the direction of Dr. Aubrey Vena. During our first year, we hosted nearly 10 students, ranging in education levels from high school to undergraduate studies. To further our commitment to community education, we also hosted a 4-H meeting with the Beef and Veal Club and plan to continue that relationship. Additionally, we are in the process of organizing client education events with the help and involvement of Extension services. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on accessing food and fiber animal populations, particularly those without an established Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR), as part of our ongoing commitment to animal health and community engagement. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project has provided numerous opportunities for training and professional development, fostering growth and hands-on experience in large animal veterinary medicine. High school and college students have benefited from shadowing opportunities, gaining exposure to large animal medicine, herd health, and food and fiber animal sciences. These experiences spark interest in veterinary careers while deepening students' understanding of the critical role large animal medicine plays in agricultural communities. Externship opportunities, both for-credit and not-for-credit, have been offered to veterinary and veterinary technician students. These placements allow students to immerse themselves in a fully functional, realistic medical environment, refining their skills and gaining practical knowledge in a dynamic field setting. The project has also prioritized the professional development of current staff, providing education and conditioning for technicians and veterinary assistants in large animal veterinary medicine. This training expands their expertise and complements their existing skills in small animal medicine, enhancing the overall capabilities of the team. Lastly, the facility is in the process of being approved as a "fast-track" site for veterinary technician students, which will enable them to efficiently acquire the hands-on skills necessary for graduation in the near future. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To date, the results of the project have been disseminated to communities of interest primarily through media coverage and word of mouth. Media coverage has helped inform the public about the services provided and the progress made in establishing the large animal veterinary practice. Word of mouth, supported by positive client experiences and community engagement, has further enhanced awareness and built trust among local producers and beyond. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we plan to expand our efforts to accomplish the outlined goals by broadening our information dissemination strategies. This will include targeted advertisements both publicly and within local agricultural businesses and organizations, with a particular focus on reaching the small ruminant population. To further support and grow our food animal client base, we will introduce additional services through the acquisition of a portable tilt chute, primarily for foot work, and a portable squeeze chute. These will be utilized at both the haul-in facility, which will be equipped with a complete chute system, and on farms. Additionally, we will acquire materials and equipment necessary for performing breeding soundness examinations in large animals. These additions will complement our existingtools, such as ultrasound and radiology, allowing us to provide comprehensive care for farmers and producers. The practice will also continue to prioritize education and professional development. Ongoing learning opportunities will be provided for our doctors, technicians, staff, and clients, ensuring the continual growth and enhancement of the services we offer to the agricultural community. These commitments will help us better meet the evolving needs of our clients and the industry.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? During the first year of the project, Cambria Veterinary Care made significant progress toward the goals of establishing a fundamentallarge animal veterinary practice. The practice developed a growing demand, currently supporting a workload of 20 to 30 hours of medical practice per week, depending on the time of year. This includes a well-established clientele base comprised of hundreds of equine clients, dozens of small ruminant clients, and many more dozens of beef clients. These achievements demonstrate a firm position in the region's large animal veterinary needs. The practice successfully established both a haul-in facility and a mobile unit. Theseprovide safe, efficient, and effective medical care to a diverse array of food and fiber species, addressing the varying needs of the agricultural community. In addition, Cambria Veterinary Care built strong relationships with local food and fiber producer communities, equine facilities, and surrounding veterinary practices. Partnerships were also formed with influential organizations such as the Farm Bureau, 4-H, FFA, BQA, and Extension services. These relationships have been pivotal in fostering trust and collaboration within the community. To enhance the quality of care, the practice acquired valuable equipment, machinery, and technology, enabling the delivery of high-quality large animal medicine. This progress not only meets the immediate medical needs of clients but also strengthens the foundation for long-term growth and expansion of services.

Publications