West Lafayette, Ind. — Purdue University now offers a graduate program in veterinary homeland security to help alleviate an apparent shortage of professionals trained to prevent and respond to food- and animal-related emergencies.

The Web-based Graduate Certificate in Veterinary Homeland Security is designed to create a “critical mass” of experts in the field who understand natural and intentional threats to animal health and can manage such emergencies. The program, featured in the latest issue of the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, is a collaborative effort among the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue Homeland Security Institute, the Indiana State Board of Animal Health, the Indiana State Police and others, university officials say.

Individuals with expertise in veterinary medicine, public health, animal science or homeland security are encouraged to participate. Students receive graduate credit that can be used toward the certificate and an advanced graduate degree. Seventy participants from 28 states, Washington DC, Singapore and Bermuda are enrolled.

Visit http://www.BiosecurityCenter.org for more information.