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Alpacas
Magazine
North American Alpaca News
Calpaca Sponsors 5th Annual
UC Davis Camelid Symposium
By Joan Clappier and Bonnie Potter
The 5th Annual UC Davis Camelid
Symposium was held in January at
the UC Davis School of Veterinary
Medicine. This symposium was created
from the inspiration and persistence of
Dale Davis and Jan Davis of Derwydd
Alpacas, who diligently pursued the
idea until they convinced the UCD
faculty that hosting a Camelid
Symposium was a worthwhile
endeavor. The first Symposium, held
in January 2006, was so well received
by both alpaca owners and UC Davis
participants that the vet school
enthusiastically supported making it an
annual event.
This partnership between California-
based AOBA Affiliate, Calpaca, and the
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine
has grown, creating benefits such as:
Providing a high-quality educational
opportunity for both camelid owners
and veterinary personnel
Building a stronger relationship
between alpaca owners and the
UCD School of Veterinary Medicine
and Veterinary Medical Teaching
Hospital.
Stimulating interest in camelid
medicine and research at UC Davis.
Providing camelid education and
continuing education credits to vet-
erinarians and veterinary technicians.
An additional benefit has been building
a stronger alliance between alpaca and
llama owners and organizations in our
region, with Cal-ILA joining the organ-
izing committee in 2008.
The Symposium is sponsored by
Calpaca and hosted by the Camelid
Medicine Club, a veterinary student
organization, which allows use of UCD
facilities for the Symposium. Interest
in camelids is growing among the vet
students and membership in this student
organization is increasing.
Each year, different speakers and topics
are presented in three tracks: (1) Basic
Owner, (2) Advanced Owner, and
(3) Veterinarian. This format provides
something for everyone: basic education
for new owners, more advanced educa-
tion for experienced owners, and veteri-
narian-level education for private practice
veterinarians and university veterinary
faculty, staff, and students.
Above, Dr. Murray Fowler,
Professor Emeritus of UC Davis
Above right, attendees submit questions
which are addressed at the Sunday afternoon
Speaker Panel. Left-to-right: Dr. Murray Fowler,
Dr. Pam Walker, Dr. Jane Vaughan, Cathy
Spalding, Dr. Michelle Ing, Dr. David Anderson
Facing page, the Saturday evening Meet
’n’ Greet features wine, appetizers, and an
opportunity for all Symposium participants
to network and socialize.