WSU Looks To Encourage The Next Generation Of Large Animal Vets

It’s an issue across the Northwest, and across the nation; not enough large animal veterinarians, whether that’s for rural communities, large scale livestock operations, or anything in between.

WSU Wants Answers To Four Areas Of Interest

Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine is studying the issue, trying to determine why the next generation is not pursuing a career in large animal. College of Veterinary Medicine Dean, Dr. Dori Borjesson says they are focused on four main area of interest: The pipeline of Washington State University students; the vet school experience; and then transitioning to a rural large animal practice.

“A lot of our newest graduates state that the, I would say that the low number of potential mentors, so a lot of these practices are single doctor practices," Borjesson said. "And so, a lot of our new graduates are more hesitant to go in. So, they mentorship as their primary concern for entering some of these practices because in a lot of city or urban or suburban practices, you may have three or four doctors in a practice, and that's more comforting to new veterinarians.”

Work/Life Balance Key To Younger Workers

The final issue Borjesson is focused on is sustaining, keeping people in these practices over five years. She added its startling how many practicing veterinarians were acting large animal vets, and now they're not.

Borjesson said many new and young veterinarians are turned off by an often expected or required 24/7 schedule connected to large animal practices.

“Most of our graduating students, male, female, doesn't matter, are looking for more balance than that," Borjesson noted. "So, it may actually take two veterinarians to fill that role because they're not willing to be on call all the time anymore. That simply isn't something that people are willing to do.”

Borjesson added debt is a big problem with the industry, that needs to be addressed while there is still time to act.