The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in

all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin,sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or maritalor family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) shouldcontact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of CivilRights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue,SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice andTDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.Photo Credits: The photo of Dr. Jane Ridky was taken by APHIS veterinarian Dr. Chip Ridky. The photo of Dr. Carla Taylor–Huston was taken bya Response Corps employee. The last photo comes from the APHISimage collection.Issued July 2003

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How To ApplyIf you are interested in being considered for this typeof work during an emergency outbreak, please callthe VS Area Office in your State for forms OF 612and OF 306. You can find a listing of State areaoffices at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs and thenclick on “Area Offices.” Or you can download theseforms from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mpls/library/forms/forms.html by clicking on “Optional Forms”and selecting the two forms mentioned above.Where the OF 612 calls for “Announcement number,” please write: “Emergency AHT” or “EmergencyVMO.” The completed forms and other pertinentinformation should be faxed or mailed to:

USDA, APHIS, Minneapolis Business Site100 N 6th St., Suite 510Minneapolis, MN 55403FAX: (612) 370–2209

If you have questions or would like additional information about this endeavor, contact VS’ EmergencyPrograms unit at (301) 734–8091 or e-mail inquiriesto: EmergencyVMO@aphis.usda.gov

You Can Make a Difference

United States Department of AgricultureAnimal and Plant Health Inspection ServiceProgram Aid No. 1748National Animal Health EmergencyResponse Corps:You Can Make a Difference
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Animal health officials take great precautions not to spread disease from one premises to another. Dr. Jane Ridky served tworotations during the exotic Newcastle disease outbreak inSouthern California in 2003.“I did two rotations with the exotic Newcastle disease (END) task force in California. Working withthe Emergency Response Corps gave me a chance tobe part of a team doing something different fromeveryday practice. I headed a euthanasia team.Despite the members’ very different backgrounds,we worked well together, and our team was requested for many of the difficult situations. It gave me achance to use my people skills as well as my veterinary skills. When I was in veterinary school, the faculty talked about the Newcastle disease outbreak of’71, so for me, serving in California on the END taskforce was a chance to be part of history, and at thesame time to contribute to eradicating the disease.”

Jane Ridky, D.V.M.Oakland, ME

“I spent 4 weeks in the U.K. during the height of thefoot-and-mouth disease outbreak working with theUSDA and U.K. Ministry of Agriculture. It was anexcellent opportunity to observe firsthand the wideranging impact that FMD had on so many sectors ofthe British economy. Stockyards and packing plantswere closed; sheep shearers, inseminators, and livestock haulers were unemployed; and large-animalveterinary practices ground to a halt, not to mentionthe effects on tourism. The more U.S. veterinariansare exposed to real-life situations, the more preparedwe will be. This is especially true for vets seeinglarge numbers of livestock in their daily practices.As the chairman of the American Association ofSwine Veterinarians’ Foreign Animal DiseaseCommittee, I believe that continuing education, especially in the form of firsthand knowledge, is extremely important. The Emergency Response Corpsenhances our ability to protect the livestock industries that U.S. agriculture relies on and ensures thequality of U.S. agricultural products integral to theexport market.”

Harry Snelson, D.V.M.Manager, Swine Tech ServicesSchering–Plough Animal Health