Plan presented to ease large animal vet shortage in Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — The Veterinary Shortage Working Group on Wednesday released its plan to try to ease Kentucky’s large-animal veterinarian shortage.

The group plans to focus on four areas, including developing a pipeline of Kentucky students to veterinary schools, assisting students in finding opportunities in veterinary schools, attracting veterinary school graduates to rural and large animal practice and how to keep veterinarians in rural and large animal practice.

“Some of the ideas in this report will require government action,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “Without question, there is a role for state and federal governments to assist in solving this issue. However, others can be termed as self-help with the veterinary and agriculture communities working together, in some cases on a case-by-case or in local efforts. Some of the tools to aid in these efforts have already been developed.”

You can read the detailed 30-page plan here: A Report from the Veterinary Shortage Working Group on the Large and Food Animal Veterinarian Shortage

The working group consists of industry stakeholders, including veterinarians, individuals in the educational and medical agricultural field, various livestock associations representatives, other industry representatives and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Quarles formed the group this year.