03/05/08 More vets needed

When you call a veterinarian you need a veterinarian. What if there wasn't a vet to call? I'm Jeff keane; I'll be back right after this to discuss that possibility. Most ranchers don't call a veterinarian unless they really need one. When that situation arises, it's always good to see the vet arrive. Lately there has been a growing concern there will be a marked shortage of large animal vets in the next twenty years. I can imagine this to be true given the large dog and cat population. Besides treating small animals doesn't take the toll on a veterinarian's body that examining and treating large animals with surly dispositions because they don't feel all that well does. U.S. representative Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin thinks this projected shortage of veterinarians could threaten U.S. food safety and public health. To address this situation she introduced the Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act. The bill has 90 co-sponsors and will increase veterinary school resources to enable more students to enroll. The Horse Ag Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry also held a hearing February 7th to review the National Veterinary Medical Services Act which direct the USDA to help pay school loans of licensed veterinarians who agree to work in areas of the U.S. that are underserved by vets. This program has been funded every year, but the USDA has not implemented a rulemaking process. I hope these two pieces of legislation produce some results. Ranching communities need large animal veterinarians. I'm Jeff Keane.