Thank you for your contribution

We are very fortunate to have a highly qualified and dedicated team with Harry Snelson, Sue Schulteis, Sherrie Webb, and Abbey Canon. Not to mention all those who work behind the scene to keep us informed and connected; our webmaster and IT specialist Dave Brown and our JSHAP staff Terri O’Sullivan, Sherrie Webb, Karen Richardson, Tina Smith, Zvonimir Poljak, Serge Messier, and Laura Batista.

What makes the AASV truly successful is the involvement of its members. For those of you who serve as officers, district directors, as a leader or member of an AASV committee, the AASV Foundation, JSHAP reviewers, or keep a watchful eye on our investments, we are all most appreciative of your time and effort!

We are also very grateful for the continued support we receive from our sponsors. Their contributions provide opportunities to socialize, share ideas and knowledge, and stay connected with them as well as with each other.

In addition to AASV functions, several of our members and staff have been actively involved in foreign animal disease prevention and preparedness through working groups with the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, National Pork Board, the Swine Health Information Center, or the Swine Health Improvement Program. We will all benefit from the added responsibilities you have so generously assumed. Our members openly and graciously shared their experiences with packing plant closures, a new strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), and other challenges facing our industry to assist their colleagues. We should all take great pride in the efforts made to fulfill our AASV mission statement.

It is the mission of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians to:

• increase the knowledge of swine veterinarians
• protect and promote the health and well-being of pigs
• advocate science-based approaches to veterinary, industry, and public health issues
• promote the development and availability of resources that enhance the effectiveness of professional activities
• create opportunities that inspire personal and professional growth and interaction
• mentor students, encouraging life-long careers as swine veterinarians

The past couple of years have certainly been fraught with challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic and the multitude of unintended consequences the mitigations have generated still haunt us, and it appears they will continue to do so for some time. Protests, riots, political turmoil, and I believe an erosion of core values that tend to unite us as a nation have many people living in fear. In our industry, our animals live under the constant threat of African swine fever, and its recent discovery in the western hemisphere has heightened our concern. It’s difficult to stay positive even knowing we have so very much to be grateful for.

I have no idea what the landscape will look like by the time this message reaches you, but I do know we are resilient. We have faced challenges before and emerged from them more knowledgeable, stronger, and united. I was reminiscing with some colleagues the other day about the multitude of opportunities our industry has faced during my professional career. Pseudorabies, Salmonella cholerasuis, transmissible gastroenteritis, edema disease, ileitis, porcine circovirus, porcine epidemic diarrhea, delta coronavirus, and some very virulent PRRSV strains have all been major topics of conversation at AASV Annual Meetings over the past 26 years. Yet, look at that list. Two of those diseases no longer plague us, and although we don’t have all the answers, we have made tremendous strides in reducing the incidence, severity, duration, or spread of the others through preventative vaccinations or management strategies and enhanced biosecurity. None of that progress was made in a bubble. We reached out to others, asked for assistance, learned from others’ experiences, and made progress to improve the health and well-being of our animals. I am so very proud to be a member of this great profession and the AASV.

History tells us more challenges lie ahead. I am thankful we have each other, a talented group of individuals that assess the situation and find solutions. Know that you are never on the journey alone, and you can count on the AASV to assist when possible.

Again, we are in some troubling times. There is no shame if you find yourself struggling emotionally. The AASV website has several tools on veterinary well-being under the Resources tab to assist you. If that is not your style, talk to a friend, family member, religious leader, or counselor. Please keep reaching out until you find the assistance you need. You have friends and colleagues who care about you.

Mary Battrell, DVM
AASV President