Veterinarian Shortage Challenges Rural America

For generations, veterinarians have answered the call when farmers and ranchers needed help with their animals. Today, a growing shortage of veterinarians is leaving animal health care in rural America at risk.  

Dr. Laura Molgaard, Dean, University of Minnesota College of Vet Medicine – “People really worry about the veterinary workforce shortage from a number of angles. Sometimes they have to wait longer to get into a veterinarian, or to have a veterinarian come out of their facility. Sometimes it’s about lack of access for certain kinds of procedures, like emergency after hours care. Some communities have lost that.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a record shortage of veterinarians in 243 areas have now been identified across 46 states, with the highest concentration in the Midwest and West. The list of disciplines in need is a long one and includes rural mixed-animal practices, food-animal and livestock medicine, USDA and public health veterinarians, and some positions in animal rescue shelters. 

Experts say the shortage is driven by several factors including the surge in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic, rising educational debt, professional burnout, and a growing divide between urban and rural practice opportunities.

Dr. Dan Grooms, Dean, Iowa State University College of Vet Medicine - ”Today, I think veterinarians are thinking a little bit differently about their work life balance. They’re thinking about taking time off, taking time off for their families, taking time off for personal time.”

Dr. Jessica Fox is an associate veterinarian in western Minnesota.

Dr. Jessica Fox, Marshall, Minnesota - “And you think about the life stage that most people are when they get in veterinarian school, that’s when you’re starting to meet your partner and build your family and you start doing that during that time in your life and you’re in the metro. So, even if you had ideas of moving back home, maybe your partner doesn’t want to.”

Since World War II, the United States has lost an estimated 90% of its large-animal veterinary workforce, creating concerns about animal health security.

Dr. Jennifer Quammen, President, American Veterinary Medical Association - “Having veterinarians as the primary health care authority is very important to all of us, not only in our small bubble of our farm, our ranch, but also more locally in our country and even more globally it’s an impact. And, there’s a giant economic impact there as well.”

Dr. Jaye Hamby, United States Department of Agriculture – “Fewer than 4% of those veterinarians that were graduating were looking to enter a practice predominately large animal focused, so as you can see, if you have nearly 96% of veterinarians out there that are looking to go in another sector like the companion animal space, say urban or suburban areas, that’s a real issue..” 

Veterinary school often leaves students with debt in the six digits. Urban companion animal clinics frequently offer higher salaries.  

Dr. Randy Wheeler, Executive Director, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association  – “Small animal, you’re going to make 30% more. If you’re a large animal or mixed animal veterinarian, let’s say at 100,000 dollars starting, the small animal would be, the companion animal would be around 125 - 130,000.” 

In addition to higher salaries, more predictable schedules, and fewer overnight emergency calls are also more appealing to new graduates. 

Dr. Shawn Nicholson, Stuart, Iowa - “ I was thinking about long term, you know, how can we generate more of a sustainable business and have more help especially for that on-cal. We definitely get calls at all hours of night, but it’s only one night a week and one weekend a month essentially, so it’s not bad when you share the load.”

Dr. Jessica Fox, Marshall, Minnesota  - “The vet that I grew up working with that is what finally got him out of rural area was that not being able to find a relief veterinarian 24/7, 365, never getting a break for years, and years, and years.” 

As demand continues to grow, experts say investing in the next generation of veterinarians is an investment in the future of American agriculture. 

Dr. Shawn Nicholson, Stuart, IA – “We have a lot of students that come down for the whole summer and, and actually work for us. We hire them. We have some that are on an internship. And, and then, their senior year, we have more formal preceptorships that are referred to as where they come here and spend time with us. And then they get college credit for that.” 

Dr. Madison Durflinger, Stuart, Iowa - “One fantastic thing from that Dr. Shawn does is he’s really good at incorporating students and everyone into working back here whether it’s with cattle or horse, you know he’s very open minded, very good at explaining both the veterinary side, but also the handling aspect.”

The agricultural sector knows the veterinary workforce won’t be rebuilt quickly. 

Dr. Dan Grooms, Dean, Iowa State University College of Vet Medicine - “There is no magic bullet for this problem, okay. There’s no one simple solution that will solve the problem. It’s going to take a concerted effort by colleges of veterinary medicine, by state departments of agriculture, by local communities, a variety of different other groups that are going to have to all come together. Each of them probably have a little piece of the solution.” 

Industry leaders warn that without enough veterinarians, the ripple effects will extend far beyond farms and ranches. A strong veterinary workforce is essential to supporting agricultural communities and securing the future of rural America. 

Dr. Laura Molgaard, Dean, University of Minnesota College of Vet Medicine - “The same communities that are struggling to recruit or retain a veterinarian are also struggling to retain nurses, pharmacists, dentists, physicians and that’s something bigger than any one profession. Rural economic development is bigger than veterinary medicine.”

For Market to Market, I’m Laurel Bower.