As the legislature moves towards confirming its budget for the next year, WSVMA President Dr. Eddie Haigh was interviewed about the importance of more in-state students to help solve the veterinary shortage. Watch the King 5 stories here then take a moment to read the background below or download the Fact Sheet.
And then, please, take the time to find your local lawmaker and help educate them, too. Find Your District.
Here is a potential letter that you could send to your representatives:
Dear Senator or Representative:
Hello. I am a veterinarian based in [insert area] and I have lived and worked here for [insert number] years.
A severe veterinary shortage in our state is restricting the delivery of veterinary medical services. Not enough veterinarians are being trained to care for our companion and farm animals in both urban and rural areas.
This is a critical issue impacting the delivery of veterinary services in a timely manner to our companion animals who are part of our families, as well as, keeping our food supply safe.
Washington State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine (WSU/CVM) is internationally recognized for its training of future Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (DVM’s). With funding from the Washington state Legislature, WSU/CVM will be able to add an additional 20 In-State students annually. The cost would be $1.25 million annually to educate the additional 20 In-State students. The DVM program is a 4-year program. It has been over 20 years since WSU/CVM has increased the number of Washington students, which currently stands at 55 students/yr. As Washington’s population has increase over the last 20 years, the number of In-State students has effectively decreased by 25 %. In-addition, Utah has withdrawn from the Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine to start their own program. This leaves a $3.5 million budget deficit and the loss of 30 students annually. This provides an opportunity to fill this with In-State students who are likely to return to practice in Washington state.
Please take the critical step and approve the funding to increase the In-State class size by 20 students annually at WSU/CVM. Have you tried to get an appointment with your veterinarian or go to an ER lately? The demand far surpasses the supply. Our pets, livestock, and families depend on this.
Thank you for your consideration and support for this budget Item.