Rural America is facing a shortage of rural veterinarians, vital to the health and care of pets, livestock, and horses.
Today only 5% of working veterinarians work on food, fiber, or milk-producing animals. A Penn State professor says that the problem is getting worse.
50% of rural vets currently in practice are expected to retire within the next five years. With just 4% of graduating vets planning to work with livestock, meaning rural America is in dire need of solutions.
Penn State is one of nine schools in the pilot Veterinary Workforce Solution Program. So far, it has reached more than 450 students, helping them tackle debt, develop business skills, and engage with rural communities.
