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Benefactor of Show Proceeds
The North American Alpaca Show is a progression of principals and ideals of New
England Alpaca Tours (NEAT). Now a non-profit organization, our three farms
started originally got together for the simple purpose of forming a "Marketing
Coop". That focus quickly changed after we carefully evaluated what we felt
were the needs of New England alpaca enthusiasts and those of our customers.
We looked at the educational opportunities available for current alpaca
breeders and prospective new alpaca owners. In examining the landscape of
the North American alpaca industry, we realized that a rather large gap
existed between what we felt should be spent on Education and Research and
what the reality was. We decided to make Alpaca Education and Research the
main goal of New England Alpaca Tours.
New England Alpaca Tours (NEAT) has for the past four years put on an Alpaca
Show which was not only one of the largest shows on the east coast, but quickly
gained such a positive reputation throughout the alpaca world that it started
to attract farms from as far away as the pacific northwest. You may be asking why
a group dedicated to alpaca education and research would put on an alpaca show?
Well, you won't be the first and certainly not the last. We've organized this
show with the guarantee that ALL proceeds from the North American Alpaca Show
will be donated to organizations committed to alpaca education and research.
This year’s benefactor is the brand new Camelid Studies Program at the University
of Massachusetts, Amherst. Please consider making a personal contribution to
this very deserving and important program!
The Three Farms of New England Alpaca Tours:
UMASS CAMELID STUDIES PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION:
- The University of Massachusetts initiated the nation’s first
undergraduate Camelid Studies Program at its Amherst campus.
- The program is under the direction of Stephen R. Purdy, DVM,
an experienced camelid practitioner and speaker at national and regional
veterinary and owner meetings.
- The program encompasses:
- undergraduate and graduate teaching
- veterinary and owner seminars
- practical humane research projects
- laboratory and outpatient services for alpacas and llamas.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
- The Goals of the Camelid Studies Program are to expose undergraduate and
graduate students, owners, and practicing veterinarians to the latest
techniques in camelid medicine, surgery, reproduction, and management.
- Dr. Purdy’s primary goals at the University and through the Camelid Studies Program are:
- to provide students with extensive camelid experience for employment
within the alpaca and llama industries and
- to direct qualified undergraduate students towards a career in large
animal veterinary medicine with a particular emphasis in camelid practice.
CAMELID RESEARCH AT UMASS AMHERST
- The program currently has three camelid research projects in operation:
- The diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of meningeal worm disease
in alpacas and llamas
- Exploring the use of camelid white blood cells to manufacture
disease specific immunoglobulins for the treatment of animal and
human bacterial, viral, and neoplastic diseases.
- Investigation of neonatal blood tests as a means of predicting
risk for infection and need for preventative treatments.
- Support from the Department’s world class immunology and reproduction faculty and other campus experts are vital to the progress of these and other planned projects.
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