Next generation of swine veterinarians

With fewer people opting for careers in agriculture, recruiting and retaining young talent has become increasingly crucial to the pork industry. One of the ways Zoetis supports the next generation of swine veterinarians is through the Swine Veterinary Internship Program (SVIP), which offers students the opportunity to gain real-world experience through short-term, field-based summer internships.

The summer 2024 cohort of SVIP students conducted research and prepared presentations of the results for 2025 industry events, such as the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) annual meeting and the American Society of Animal Science Midwest Section (ASAS) meeting.

These 2024 SVIP interns not only contributed to swine health and production but also developed technical skills, expanded their professional network with future colleagues, and bolstered their confidence as they launch careers in veterinary medicine.

Meet the next generation of swine veterinary leaders

Rylee Hundley

Senior, Animal Science/Pre-veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University

Rylee’s summer research project objective was to compare two commercially available combination vaccines (Fostera® Gold PCV MH and a competitor vaccine) on final pig body weight, wean-to-finish average daily gain, and pigs that died or were removed from the study. Through SVIP, Rylee gained valuable experience in swine production medicine and was able to conduct research that will directly benefit the industry. Rylee will present her findings at the Midwest ASAS, sharing how her project complements the work being done at Zoetis and contributes to robust vaccine protocols in pig health.

Jameson Bell

Third-year veterinary student, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Jameson brought his prior research experience to a project aimed at improving litter outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate adjusted weaning weights from litters of sows administered Lutalyse® 24-48 hours postpartum compared to control sows of modern swine practices. Jameson’s presentation at AASV will highlight his approach to improving reproductive success and sow management by seeing if historically published protocols are still relevant with today’s sow genetics.

Annika Senn

First-year veterinary student, Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine

Annika’s study objective was to compare an injectable antibiotic (injectable ceftiofur sodium; NAXCEL®) and a stimbiotic feed additive intervention at the time of farrowing, alongside both interventions and a negative control, on subsequent sow clinical outcomes and mortality. This critical issue in the swine industry has the potential to improve both animal welfare and farm profitability. Annika’s research aimed to identify effective interventions and management practices that may reduce mortality rates, and she’ll present her findings at AASV 2025, providing new insights into improving sow health and longevity.

Jacqueline Springer

First-year veterinary student, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine

Jacqueline worked on a research project with the objective to compare, through the use of flow cytometry, the cell-mediated immune responses of sows vaccinated with two commercial vaccines, Fostera® Gold PCV MH and a competitor vaccine. Her research explored the specific T-cell responses of these vaccines against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) which has direct implications for both sow and downstream pig health. At the 2025 AASV annual meeting, Jacqueline will present her findings, offering a deeper understanding of vaccine efficacy and how we may improve our sow PCV2 vaccination approaches.

Hands-on experience. Real-World impact.

These interns are not just conducting research — they’re applying their classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and gaining practical experience in swine field trials, diagnostic techniques and scientific research methods. Throughout the summer, they received one-on-one mentorship from Zoetis pork technical services veterinarians and swine experts, whose strong partnerships are central to providing impactful educational opportunities. These collaborations ensure participants have the tools and knowledge to succeed.

If you’re a currently enrolled pre-veterinary or veterinary student inspired by the work these interns are doing, SVIP offers you the chance to follow in their footsteps. For more information on SVIP, visit https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vdpam/academics/summer-opportunities/svip.