Due to a shortage in food animal veterinarians, organizations are granting money to professionals in this industry so that they can pursue an education in this aspect. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), along with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) recently announced that they will give $500,000 to these individuals for repayment of their school loans.
So far, five recipients have been announced and will each receive $100,000 awards over a four-year period. All of these individuals will work in food animal medicine during that time.
Michael Cathey, head of the AVMF, said that there were more than 100 applicants for the financial aid, which showed how important this program is. He added that this also gave some hopeful insight for the future of veterinarians who would like to have a career in food animal medicine, as this area is experiencing a shortage of workers.
Similar financial aid programs could help individuals who would like to become veterinarians as well as those who are already working.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary medicine is a growing industry and there will be nearly 20,000 new jobs created for professionals in this field over the next eight years.
