America's Growing Crisis: The Worsening Shortage of Large-Animal Veterinarians
A severe shortage of large-animal veterinarians is threatening the health of livestock and the future of agriculture in rural America. According to a 2023 Johns Hopkins study, the United States has lost 90 percent of its large-animal and livestock veterinarians since the end of World War II. As the crisis deepens, farmers and ranchers in rural areas are left struggling to find veterinary care, with some regions lacking access to a veterinarian for miles.
Veterinary Technician Foreign Equivalency Program Shutting Down Due to Low Participation
The Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE) for Veterinary Technicians, which was designed to evaluate the educational equivalence of foreign veterinary technician graduates, is being discontinued due to low participation rates. The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) announced the decision on February 25, 2025, stating that the program will end immediately.
How a Compassionate Care Fund Saved a Puppy’s Life — and More
When Maybelline, a tiny 6-month-old mixed breed puppy, arrived at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital in February, her condition was dire. She was fighting for her life against the deadly parvovirus, commonly known as parvo, and her chances of survival were slim.
Santa Barbara Humane’s Mobile Veterinary Unit Brings Free Spay/Neuter Services to Underserved Areas
Santa Barbara Humane is expanding its efforts to tackle pet overpopulation with the launch of its new Mobile Spay/Neuter Clinic, offering free spay/neuter surgeries to pet owners in underserved communities. The mobile unit is currently providing these services to areas such as Guadalupe, Lompoc, Nipomo, and Casmalia, helping to improve access to essential veterinary care and reduce shelter overcrowding.
New Mexico’s Veterinary Loan Repayment Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk: A Game-Changer for Rural Care
A new bill aimed at tackling the state’s shortage of food animal veterinarians is one step away from becoming law. Senate Bill 8, which passed through both the New Mexico House and Senate, is now on its way to the governor’s desk, ready to offer student loan debt relief for veterinarians committed to working in underserved areas of the state.
Is Colorado's New Veterinary Professional Associate Bill Undermining Voter Intent? The Debate Heats Up
A new bill aimed at implementing the veterinary professional associate (VPA) position in Colorado has sparked heated debate among veterinary advocates and critics alike. The bill, House Bill 1285, outlines the education, accreditation, and scope of practice for the newly created VPA role, a position established by Colorado voters through Proposition 129 in November 2023.