Veterinary Shortage?

Honorable Mention, Forum
Arielle Breite, Cornell

Having recently had the opportunity to talk with some veterinarians who are “out in the trenches”, I feel as though I have some insight into the supposed veterinarian shortage. According to a large majority of these individuals there is indeed NO shortage of veterinarians at all. Not only are they not worried about a shortage, but instead are worried about the job outlook for our upcoming graduates. From what I gather, most veterinarians feel as though a shortage exists only in places where there is not enough business to support a practice. In the existing practices on the other hand, there are simply no openings for qualified applicants. In light of this, I am strongly against the opening of these new veterinary colleges in such places as Utah, Arizona and, our very own, New York.

Although, with my own graduation looming, I myself am worried about competing with the ever growing number of graduates for the few available jobs, I am also concerned about the quality of education these new institutions will provide and the cost at which they will provide it. With their seeming disregard of the current veterinary climate I worry that their only concern will be their own financial gain and not the education and wellbeing of the students they educate or profession they contribute to. My suggestion is that the AVMA take a stance on this issue and inform these new institutions that they will not accredit them. After all, if the AVMA will not look out for the future of our profession, who will?