As the number of pet parents increases, so does the veterinary workforce. According to a Mars Veterinary Health ReportThe United States is experiencing a vet shortage that, if left unaddressed, could leave 75 million pets unattended by 2030.
Why are we short of veterinarians?
Experts agree that the increase in families bringing pets into the home during the COVID pandemic puts a strain on the services required from the veterinarian community.
In addition, there is not enough physical space to take care of pets, especially in emergency veterinary hospitals where patients are often separated, veterinarians work longer hours, and harder, leading to a higher turnover rate.
Dr Louis DelGiudice, National Emergencies Director of AmeriVet Veterinary Medicine, said: “I am saddened to hear stories across the country of emergency veterinary clinics having to close due to staffing shortages or overcompensation. load.
Over the next decade, to meet the health care services needed to accommodate the influx of livestock, the Mars health report says the United States will need approximately 41,000 more veterinarians and nearly 133,000 veterinary technicians. y participate in the labor force.
What is being done to address the veterinary shortage?
The organization is working to promote veterinary education programs. This year, VCA’s veterinary hospitals have partnered with Vet Set Go to give children across the country the opportunity to explore their interests in the veterinary field in the hopes that it will develop into a career.
According to research by Vet Set Go, veterinary professionals often decide to pursue a career in veterinary medicine before the age of 13. Through this partnership, youth will be trained with veterinarians to have realistic expectations and understand what it is like to care for animals.
“We are providing aspiring veterinarians with resources and opportunities that are not easily available to young people,” said Dr Chris Carpenter, Founder and President, Vet Set Go.
Other efforts to expand the veterinary field include the launch of a new multi-year program called Journeys for Teams – a partnership of the American Veterinary Medical Association and its Executive Directors. operates the Veterinary Health Association to promote diversity, equity and inclusion across the nation’s veterinary profession.
Enhancing the health of every veterinarian
Many veterinarians struggle with mental health issues, both due to the increased workload and emotional ups and downs of working in high-stress healthcare jobs. In fact, one research of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that veterinarians and veterinarian technicians have higher suicide rates than the general population.
Efforts are being made to raise awareness of mental health concerns among veterinarians. During Suicide Prevention Month in September, Race around the world is a month-long fundraising activity that tracks how far participants travel, whether it’s biking, walking, running or horseback riding, and raises money for the nonprofit Not One More Vet ( NOMV). NOMV supports veterinarians struggling with mental health issues through peer support, outreach and awareness raising.
To learn more about this organization and how you can help, visit nomv.org.
