MANHATTAN, Kan. (RFD-TV) — The shortage of large animal veterinarians continues across the country after reaching record levels last year.
Dr. Todd Gunderson, a veterinary professor at Kansas State University, says getting more students interested in rural veterinary medicine is important, but so is making sure they’re prepared for the job.
“Recruitment, yes. Job shadowing, mentoring, internships, things along those lines, those are all really helpful ways to help young people decide if this is something they’re interested in, maybe get some people who wouldn’t normally have thought about rural veterinary medicine a perspective on it, and kind of encourage them to join. Once we get young students started on the path to rural veterinary medicine, it’s critical that we set them up for success. I believe strongly we need to provide veterinary students and early career veterinarians in rural practice with training and tools for establishing solid work-life boundaries, running profitable businesses, and dealing with the demands of an evolving food animal industry.”
According to USDA, more than 500 U.S. counties experienced a shortage of large animal veterinarians last year, the highest number on record.
