Purdue's veterinary homeland security program

The Veterinary Homeland Security Certificate Program, a graduate-level distance-learning program at Purdue University, has gained national certification as a curriculum for response personnel in the event of a major animal health emergency. The Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service examined and reviewed courses in the program, which is offered by Purdue’s School of Veterinary Medicine and is managed by the Purdue Homeland Security Institute. The agency then granted the program certification because it complies with National Animal Health Emergency Management System guidelines. Since coursework began in May 2006, there have been 62 individuals enrolled from 27 states, the District of Columbia, and Singapore. Most students are private practice veterinarians, but there also are professionals enrolled from the military, USDA, public health departments, animal health departments, and veterinary schools. Veterinary students and veterinary technicians also participate, as do those who are applying the coursework to degrees in public health.

To qualify for the certificate, participants have four years to complete nine courses, which are available twenty-four hours a day online or by CD. Lectures address issues such as swine disease, rabies, anthrax, and plague. Among the veterinary experts providing lecture material are Purdue adjunct professors Dr. Marianne Ash, director of biosecurity and preparedness planning at the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, and Col. Marc Mattix, assistant chief at the Montana Department of Livestock Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory for the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps. Dr. Ron DeHaven, AVMA executive vice president and former administrator of the USDA-APHIS, has also been a lecturer.