Abstract

The Aquatic Animal Medicine (AAM) Certificate is a unique training opportunity offered only to University of Florida (UF) veterinary students, providing specialized and directed training in the care of aquatic species, ranging from fish and invertebrates to marine mammals and sea turtles. This 15-credit certificate can be completed through the elective opportunities within the UF veterinary curricula, while maintaining a 3.0 grade point average. Core requirements include successful completion of Diseases of Warmwater Fish, SeaVet Clinical Training, Topics in Aquatic Animal Health, and externships at facilities caring for aquatic species. Students with an interest in pursuing post-DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) aquatic animal medicine training, securing an entry-level position in aquaculture, or providing basic medical care to aquatic animals as part of a companion animal practice are encouraged to complete the AAM certificate.

Our AAM certificate was approved in 2008, with our first graduates completing the certificate in 2010. The goal of this research was to characterize successes and identify weaknesses of the program through data collected from an entry application and exit survey. We began collecting data from all our students through our applications in 2012, for the veterinary class of 2015 and now have 10 years of data. We implemented an exit survey for our graduating certificate students in spring 2019, and our 3 years of data has a 59% (19/32) response rate.

On average, 13 students apply to the AAM certificate each year. Out of state students comprise 33% of the applicants. Of all applicants, 86% heard of our program before applying to veterinary school, and 72% indicated that our Aquatic Animal Health Program played a significant role in their decision to come to the University of Florida. Thus far, we have had 94 students successfully complete the AAM certificate with an average 78% completion rate of the students that initially applied to participate in the certificate.

From our exit survey, 67% (11/18) of our students indicated they felt the AAM certificate met their expectations by either ‘A lot’ or ‘A great deal’, and 78% (14/18) felt the certificate provided opportunities to work towards their career goals. We asked students about the quality and frequency of interaction with their mentors, and while they did not meet very often 44% (8/18) less than once a year, and 28% (5/18) only once a year, almost all students, 94% (17/18), indicated they were satisfied with the quality of their mentor interactions.

In an open text box, students provided suggestions to improve the AAM certificate and a couple key themes emerged. One theme was related to course structure and content, indicating a desire for different or additional topics to be covered, more hands-on opportunities, and more emphasis on medicine rather than conservation. The second theme highlighted an interest in more guidance and early support for securing externship opportunities. Given this, we are working towards adding more necropsy opportunities, developing new courses, and providing early reminders and resources for externships.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the students that provided their feedback, the Aquatic Animal Health Program for their support and partial funding through the Aquatic Animal Health Distance Education Program, the College of Veterinary Medicine and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which made these courses and the Aquatic Animal Medicine Certificate possible. Our work was conducted under the IRB reference #: U-1113-2011.