Penn Vet Launches Program to Target Rural Vet Shortage

By Blake Jackson

The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) has introduced the Pathway to Rural Veterinary Practice, a new initiative aimed at increasing the number of veterinarians serving rural areas and supporting the state’s agricultural economy.

The program aligns with the USDA’s Rural Veterinary Action Plan, released in August 2025, which emphasizes collaboration among academic institutions, government agencies, and industry to address the shortage of food-animal and mixed-animal veterinarians essential to safeguarding the nation’s food supply and public health.

The need for veterinary services in rural Pennsylvania is significant. Of the state’s 48 rural counties, 25 have fewer than 15 licensed veterinarians per 100,000 residents, according to the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

These shortages impact not only animal care but also food security, public health, and the overall stability of agricultural communities.

“The future of rural veterinary medicine depends on how we prepare today’s students,” said Associate Dean for Education, Amy Durham, MS, VMD, MSEd, DACVP, who co-developed the Pathway to Rural Veterinary Practice program alongside Associate Dean of Sustainable Agriculture and Veterinary Practices, Gary Althouse, DVM, MS, PhD, DACT.

“By combining hands-on clinical training, mentorship, and targeted experiences, this new Pathway program prepares graduating veterinarians to enter rural practice with confidence.”

The program addresses key barriers identified by the USDA, including limited exposure to rural practice and weak recruitment pipelines.

Students can join early in their veterinary education, allowing them to build skills and experience focused on rural service throughout all four years.

Participants gain specialized training in food animal care, population health, and emergency response, along with mentorship from experienced professionals and hands-on externships in rural communities.

“The need for veterinarians in rural communities is something I’ve seen firsthand throughout my career,” said Althouse, who is also serving as faculty lead for the program.

“This Pathway is about preparing students to step into those roles, supporting animal health, strengthening agricultural production, and ensuring that rural communities have access to the veterinary care they depend on.”

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