Pictured above: PVCARE President Alyssa Seilhymer founded the club to create opportunities and experiences for animal-loving students.
Courtesy of Alyssa Seilhymer
By Aubrey Carr
From lions to tigers to Bulls, the Pre-Vet Club for Animal Respect and Education (PVCARE) helps all animal-loving students get involved on campus.
The club, founded in October, seeks to become a source of community for students who are passionate about animals.
“[PVCARE] aims to engage students in a captivating learning environment to educate them about animal wellness, safety and related careers,” said Alyssa Seilhymer, a freshman in animal biology and president of the club. “We want [club] experiences to be unforgettable while also providing a safe space for our members to interact with peers that share similar interests.”
Starting Tuesday, Nov. 16, PVCARE members will begin meeting monthly to discuss their shared passion for veterinary sciences.
“Our goal is to make [meetings] fun and light-hearted while also collaborating on important ideas and/or opportunities for the club to take part in,” Seilhymer said. “There will usually be food and club-related games, but it is our top priority that all members share their thoughts, wants and needs with the executive board to best meet everyone’s expectations.”
According to Seilhymer, the club’s original name, “The Pre-Vet Club,” was amended to include the words “for Animal Respect and Education” to make it more inclusive to those who were not looking to enter the veterinary field, but still shared an interest in animals.
Despite its recent creation, PVCARE already has 17 members and four officers, all from various backgrounds and majors.
Schuyler Jones, a freshman environmental science major, joined the club specifically because his major does not expose him to his interests in veterinary science.
“I’ve always been interested in biology, and I am a huge animal lover, so the club is a good way to expose myself to these interests,” Jones said. “I’m an environmental science major, so normally I wouldn’t get these experiences because they would typically be reserved only for pre-vet/pre-med students.”
Although the club has yet to hold a formal meeting, members have already begun connecting with one another.
“Everyone has been so kind and engaging to want to learn and help each other,” said Amy Chapilliquen, a junior biology major.
Chapilliquen also encouraged any interested students to join PVCARE, applauding the opportunities the club could bring.
“Being a club member allows one to obtain leadership and communication knowledge, skills, and experience […] The connections you build now can benefit you greatly later on when trying to get internships or jobs after college,” she said.
PVCARE’s first meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 6 p.m. in the lobby of Osprey Suites. For more information about the club visit its page on BullsConnect or its Instagram page @usfspprevet.
