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July 29 - August 11, 2001A timely study of animal health issues in Europe. CVM group study program at the Tierarztliche Hochschule (College of Veterinary Medicine) in Hannover, Germany, and surrounding area.
 The purpose of the course was to create the opportunity for students to study issues of veterinary and human health and their related public policies from within an environment where cultural pressures are greater than those experienced in the United States. In addition, students were to learn about German culture and German history. Seven students participated in the trip, which was led by Dr. Radford Davis.
2001 Itinerary
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The group departed from the College of Veterinary Medicine on Sunday, July 29, 2001 by university vans to the Des Moines International Airport. The group arrived in Hannover on Monday, July 30, 2001 and was met at the Hannover Flughafen by representatives of the Tierarztliche Hochschule. The group then traveled by vans to housing provided by the host institution. On Monday evening, the students participated in a BBQ dinner with students of the Tierarztliche Hochschule.
On Tuesday, July 31st, the group learned about food safety research being conducted by the Department of Food Toxicology and visited Food Toxicology laboratories. Then the group visited the Department of Pathology and discussed BSE and FMD and their economic and political importance.
On Wednesday, August 1st, the group traveled to Emstek to visit a swine processing plant that is approved for marketing in the European Union (EU). EU regulations and quality control processes were demonstrated and explained. In the afternoon, the group visited the veterinary practice field station at Bakum. The role of the field veterinarian in livestock disease diagnosis, preventive medicine, and therapy was explained.
Thursday, August 2nd, was dedicated to tours of the teaching hospital at the Tierarztliche Hochschule; primarily, equine, bovine, swine, and companion animal. In addition, a guided tour was conducted of the veterinary museum at the college.
On Friday, August 3rd the group traveled to Berlin and participated in presentations and tours of the Free University of Berlin. The group stayed in a location in the former East Germany and enjoyed contrasting the evidence of the divided history of the past 50 years.
On the morning of Saturday, August 4th the group visited the clinics and pathology department of the Free University. Saturday afternoon was spent touring Berlin. Sunday, August 5th was a free day, spent touring Berlin.
On Monday, August 6th, the group visited the Tierarztliche Hochschule demonstration farm at Ruthe. Demonstrations and discussions of production and animal welfare studies were given. The afternoon was free for special attractions in Hannover.
The group visited the offices of Lohman Animal Health, north of Hannover, on Tuesday, August 7th and learned some of the challenges that multi-national premix manufacturers face. Following the visit, students ate lunch in the seaport of Cuxhaven and toured the veterinary diagnostic laboratory for the marine industry of this part of Germany.
On Wednesday, August 7th the students visited a rendering plant in the Harz mountains. Plant personnel discussed practices to eliminate processing odors and to prevent the spread of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies. These practices are important to the animal and public health of the country, and to the aesthetic appeal of the region. A very intriguing guided tour of the nearby medieval city of Goslar was also included.
Students toured the internationally renowned equine stud farm and performance evaluation facility at Celle on Thursday, August 8th. A tour and shopping in Celle followed. The World War II concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen provided time for reflection in the afternoon.
A trip to the vacation spot of the heather area of Germany was made on Friday, August 12th. Presentations on physiologic adaptations of sheep to thrive in this region were given. Time was provided for horseback riding through the area.
The return travel was uneventful except for a delay in flight connections in Chicago.
If these kinds of experiences sound appealing, contact Dr. Eldon Uhlenhopp.. Dr. Uhlenhopp led a similar study abroad trip to Germany in summer 2000 and is coordinating the trip in 2002. Names of students who participated in 2001 are available from Lisa Brinkley or Mindy Schminke.
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