More vets needed across Indiana, U.S.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — This year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture designated 243 veterinary shortage areas across 46 states — the highest number recorded.

As veterinarians work on the front lines to battle everything from avian influenza to a growing companion animal population, the staff, faculty and students at Purdue University are filling the need for research and trained professionals.

Dr. Bret Marsh, dean of the Purdue College of Veterinary Medicine, joined the Agbioscience Podcast from AgriNovus Indiana to discuss the challenges and opportunities in veterinary medicine.

“There are significant areas of our state and country that are underserved,” he said. “We’re taking a hard look at that here at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

“In my former role (as state veterinarian), I received calls from county commissioners and others that said there isn’t a veterinarian in the county that will look at a large animal. I said, yes, I understand and, unfortunately, you’re not the only county.”

In addition to the need for large animal vets, there’s a growing need for small animal care providers.

Seventy percent of Indiana households have a pet, Marsh said. The state also needs veterinarians who specialize in equine health.

“There’s a lot going on in the animal space in our state,” Marsh said. “We’re determined to do all we can to help and support those populations.”

The longstanding theory about why it’s difficult to find veterinarians to work in rural counties has been that, upon graduating, students have too much debt to work in rural areas that have fewer opportunities.

Upon working with the Farm Journal Foundation to investigate the issue, Marsh said there is more to it than that.

Opportunities for spouses, access to childcare and internet, entertainment options and other factors play a role in where vets choose a job location.

Purdue remains a leading producer of veterinary professionals. The Purdue Veterinary Teaching Hospital was named No. 1 in the country.

“It’s a phenomenal facility and we’re extremely proud of it,” Marsh said. “With support from the Indiana legislature, donors, Purdue University, it was about a $110 million project to establish the new small animal emergency hospital.

“We also have small animal primary care, as well as a new equine facility and farm animal facility. It changed our footprint in remarkable ways. We’re really proud of the work that goes on there.”

Researchers are studying a variety of topics, including producing vaccines to combat highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry and dairy.

“We’re having a challenging time with funding streams from the federal government, so we’re looking at that, as well,” Marsh said. “Purdue has done a great job of providing bridge funding when necessary so we can complete these critical studies.

“There’s also a great opportunity for us to keep an eye on production agriculture and what we can do in that space.”

Eighty-four students will enter Purdue’s veterinary medicine program this fall.

“I personally call and invite the students to become part of the class,” Marsh said. “This fall’s class will have 52 Indiana residents out of 84.

“Twenty-five percent of the class this fall is first-generation college students. We had 1,956 applications for those 84 spots. So, it’s a very competitive process. But we’re finding those very talented students.”

Marsh remains bullish about the future, as the next generation of veterinarians ushers in a wave of innovation and research.