Michigan State University Associate Professor and Swine Extension Veterinarian Madonna Benjamin recently achieved board certification in the American College of Animal Welfare. Benjamin was one of the first recipients of the ACAW Scholarship Program funded by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians Foundation. The scholarship was established in 2018 to encourage swine veterinarians to undertake the challenge of board certification in animal welfare.

In her research and extension role, she contributes to swine welfare through training first responders on identification of compromised livestock as a result of accidents during transport, low stress handling, digital imaging for body composition and locomotion scores, and using simulator pigs for training on effective, safe and humane methods of swine euthanasia. Benjamin's research interests include human-animal interaction, the use of systematic observation techniques to identify compromised animals within a population, and factor determinants of timely euthanasia.

Benjamin received her DVM from the University of Guelph in 1995 and a master's degree in applied ethology from MSU in 1998. She was employed by Elanco Animal Health in research and technical support, with early research that included cause and effect of downer pigs during transport. Benjamin established Veterinary Science Consulting Inc in Alberta, Canada, a swine practice with an "overarching goal to improve the well-being and prosperity of both livestock (pigs) and producers," before returning to join the faculty at MSU.

The AASV Foundation Board of Directors continues to accept applications from AASV members seeking ACAW board certification. Applicants must have a DVM or VMD degree and at least five years of continuous membership in the AASV.

To apply, the applicant must submit a curriculum vitae, an ACAW-approved program plan, and three letters of reference (one of which must come from the applicant's mentor). There is no submission due date, but there is a limit to the amount of funding available each year. A selection committee reviews applications as they are received.

The scholarship will provide annual reimbursements for actual expenses related to the ACAW program, including travel, course fees and textbooks, with a maximum reimbursement amount of $20,000. Reimbursement will not cover lost income. An incentive payment of $10,000 will be issued upon successful and timely completion of the ACAW Board Certification.

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