A Winning Beginning!
Are you a veterinary student with a passion for equine medicine? Have you dreamed of being a "horse doc" but aren't sure how to navigate the waters to success? Are you searching for a group of peers who can offer support and encouragement?
Well, you've found your herd!
Starting Gate is a program designed to ensure that aspiring equine practitioners thrive. Starting Gate presents equine-specific business content to students and interns while building connections and a community that will carry members through both their education and career.
Equine practice business management knowledge is integral for success as both an associate and a practice owner. Topics will include but are not limited to:
- Career path planning
- Choosing externships and internships
- Negotiating employment agreements and non-compete clauses
- Understanding cash flow
- Practice revenue and expenses
- Managing student loan debt
- Communications- difficult conversations, negotiation
- Stress management
- Impact of veterinary medicine as a career
Each Starting Gate group is comprised of students of the same class year from various veterinary schools. After graduation, groups have the option to remain together as a Decade One group for further education and support.
Groups are facilitated by a diverse group of equine practitioners who have completed the Decade One program. The curriculum was developed by Amy Grice, VMD, MBA and will be presented by Amy along with other professionals that are active in the Equine Veterinary space. Business content will be presented three times per academic year via video conference. Brief monthly video conference meetings will be held for each group to connect, share updates and pose questions.
JOIN A GROUP
Cost:
The cost to you to be a member annually is $50 and we are excited that The AAEP has voted to provide scholarship funding for Starting Gate members in 2024. In order to receive this scholarship you must apply at AAEP Starting Gate Member Scholarship Application. Members who do NOT apply for the scholarship will be sent an invoice.
Register:
To join a Starting Gate group, students and interns are asked to provide a paragraph (200-word limit) briefly describing why they would like to join a group.
SUPPORT THE PROGRAM
Donations to support the cost of this program are greatly appreciated. The future of our profession depends on the success of veterinary students and their ability to run a successful business. Thank you for your support of the profession and our future colleagues.