Source: AVMA News
Rural communities in the U.S. face a growing shortage of veterinarians specializing in food animals and public health, essential for maintaining the nation’s livestock and food supply. Despite efforts, most Veterinary students pursue careers with pets, leaving only small percentages entering food animal (3.3%), mixed animal (9.6%), or equine (5.9%) practices.
To address this, Veterinary colleges are implementing targeted strategies. Texas Tech University’s new Veterinary school recruits students with deep rural experiences, providing hands-on training and a curriculum tailored to rural practice. Louisiana State University offers early admissions for students committed to agricultural and rural Veterinary medicine, supported by a state-of-the-art food animal facility. Iowa State University’s PA-VEAP guarantees admission for promising undergraduates with production animal interests, paired with faculty mentorship. Programs like North Carolina State’s rural Veterinary scholars offer immersive field experiences, ensuring students understand real-world practices. Experts emphasize mentoring new graduates to retain them in rural Veterinary roles long-term.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.avma.org/news/veterinary-colleges-build-educational-pipelines-food-animal-rural-medicine