Two Wisconsin veterinary students win national awards

Two of five national awards given by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) recognizing academic achievement went to students at the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The Wisconsin winners are fourth-year student Nathan Dorshorst from the Wisconsin Rapids area and third-year student Rebecca Mentink from Waldo, near Sheboygan. Both winners grew up on dairy farms and plan to become dairy veterinarians when they graduate with their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees.

The competition, sponsored by Schering-Plough Animal Health, recognizes veterinary students who are interested in pursuing a career in dairy and/or beef veterinary medicine. The winners each receive $1,000 and a plaque during the annual American Association of Bovine Practitioners conference, to be held in Salt Lake City in September.

Winners are selected from a competitive field of national applicants based on their background, interest in bovine medicine, academic and work experience, and career goals.

Dorshorst follows in the footsteps of both his father and brother, who are veterinarians. Growing up, he helped with his family’s dairy herd, and participated in 4-H and the Junior Holstein Association. In veterinary school, he served as Bovine Club president and chaired the 2005 Farm Animal Wellness Seminar. He and his brother, Matthew, organized the school’s dairy judging team.

Mentink was a member of 4-H and FFA while growing up. She and a dairy science classmate were awarded a platinum rating, the highest possible, for work done to analyze an assigned dairy herd for the 2003 North American Dairy Challenge. Throughout her undergraduate studies, she held leadership positions in numerous organizations, including the Badger Dairy Club, the Association of Women in Agriculture, and the Pre-Vet Club. She currently serves as president of the student chapter of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners at the veterinary school.