klahoma is facing a veterinary shortage that could have devastating consequences for agriculture and rural communities. On August 27, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry announced a new partnership with the Farm Journal Foundation to tackle the crisis by opening a dialogue about the lack of rural and food animal veterinarians in the state.

This shortage has far-reaching implications, threatening not only animal health but also agricultural livelihoods, rural economic development, disease control, and even public health. Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthuremphasized the gravity of the situation: “The shortage of rural and food animal veterinarians threatens agricultural livelihoods and rural economic growth. We need to create a path forward to address this critical issue.”

A Nationwide Problem

Oklahoma’s veterinarian shortage mirrors a national issue, as data from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) confirms. According to the AVMA, as of December 2023, only 3.6% of U.S. veterinarians practice in food animal medicine, with 3,451 vets serving this vital sector. The number is even lower for equine practitioners, who make up just 4.1% of the veterinary workforce. Most veterinarians—70.4%—work in companion animal medicine, leaving rural areas struggling to find care for livestock and food animals.

Dr. Lena Swanson, a Nebraska native practicing in central Oklahoma, is one of the few veterinarians providing mixed services in the state. Her mobile practice, LS Veterinary Services, focuses on equine care, but she also serves cattle and offers specialized services such as at-home euthanasia, chiropractic care, and acupuncture for animals. These diversified services are what keep her practice afloat in an industry that’s becoming increasingly unsustainable for rural veterinarians.

The Challenges of Veterinary Medicine

Swanson sees the AVMA’s statistics as “appalling” and believes that if rural veterinary medicine is to survive, the problems need to be openly discussed. “People need to know about it—the problems it’s causing now—and to look down the road at what will happen if this shortage isn’t addressed,” she said.

One of the most significant barriers to entering rural veterinary medicine is the cost of education. Veterinary school is expensive, and many students graduate with enormous debt. Swanson herself has accumulated $720,000 in student loans. While she loves her job and clients, the financial burden is overwhelming. “My wages are never going to cover trying to pay those loans back,” she admitted.

Building a Path Forward

The partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and the Farm Journal Foundation is a critical first step toward addressing the rural veterinary shortage. The organizations are conducting studies with stakeholders in the agriculture industry and will release a report in October, outlining the challenges and offering solutions for building a stronger veterinary workforce.

These initial dialogues are essential, but Swanson stresses that many big questions remain unanswered. How can the state and the country incentivize veterinarians to pursue careers in rural areas? How can the cost of education be reduced? And how can rural practices offer the support and resources necessary for veterinarians to thrive?

For rural Oklahoma, and for veterinarians like Swanson, the future of veterinary medicine is at a crossroads. The choices made today will determine whether the state can overcome the shortage and ensure the health of its agricultural animals, rural communities, and economy.