Professional program in veterinary medicine launches its first class

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at South Dakota State University launched its first class in the professional program in veterinary medicine to help solve a workforce shortage problem in the state, particularly in rural veterinary medicine.

The first class of students were honored at the Inaugural Blue Coat Ceremony in November where each student was presented with a personalized blue Carhartt work coat. Each coat presented was sponsored by a veterinarian.

Food animal veterinarians are critical in maintaining an adequate food supply that supports economic growth in animal agriculture throughout South Dakota and the United States. All areas of the food animal industry have grown in South Dakota, including beef, dairy, swine and poultry, creating a greater demand for veterinarians in all corners of the region.

The DVM Program in Veterinary Medicine is a collaboration between SDSU and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. After completing their pre-veterinary requirements, students can apply to the professional program, where they complete their first two years in veterinary medical education at South Dakota State and the final two years in the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Support for the program comes through tax revenues from the sale of animal endoparasiticides and ectoparasiticides, covering nearly 33% of program costs including scholarships for students to offset tuition differences between SDSU and Minnesota.