Texas A&M VET supports search and rescue dogs during flood response in Kerrville, TX.

Veterinary Emergency Team

As the largest and most sophisticated team of its kind in the country, the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team (VET) at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) provides medical support to urban search-and-rescue teams and resident animals in response to natural and manmade disasters at the request of the Texas A&M Task Force or county jurisdictions, while training future Aggie Veterinarians in emergency preparedness and response.

Response Contact Us

total deployments since 2011

1,900+

veterinary students educated in emergency response and preparedness

100+

county animal preparedness plans developed

Be Prepared for Disasters

A disaster can strike at any time! Surveys indicate that more than 90% of pet owners are not prepared for the next natural disaster. To help you prepare, the VET has some tips for establishing a plan in the event that you have to evacuate your home and animals during an emergency situation for family pets, horses & show livestock, and livestock herds.

Be Prepared

Response

We play a critical role in ensuring that animals impacted by disaster have a second chance at life. Fully equipped to provide care from triage and treatment of injured animals to working with animal shelter partners, we give animals and their owners with hope for happy endings.

Education

Our rotation in emergency response teaches students how to develop personal and county level emergency preparedness and response plans and participate as a member of a response team, while meeting the requirements for the AVMA Veterinary First Responder Certificate.

Group of students observing and taking notes inside a livestock facility.

Outreach

Our team has one of the most active outreach commitments within the VMBS. Our primary outreach mechanism has been conference presentations and exhibits, veterinary medical association (VMA) meeting presentations, and participation in emergency planning meetings.

Request Planning Assistance

VET team members and fourth-year veterinary students are ready to partner with community leaders in emergency preparedness efforts at the county level.

Want to interview a member of the VET?

Contact VET Public Information Officer and VMBS Marketing & Communications Director Jennifer Gauntt.

jgauntt@tamu.edu

Giving

Working together, trained faculty and staff serve on deployable response teams in and out of the classroom as the Veterinary Emergency Team (VET). VET prepares veterinary professionals and students to participate in emergency response efforts at local, state, and federal levels.

Giving to the VET