LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine plans to increase student enrollment and graduation rates to elevate a shortage of veterinarians across the country. At least 500 counties across 46 states reported critical shortages in veterinary care in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. LSU Vet School Dean, Oliver Garden says the school plans to increase its class size from 120 per year to a maximum of 220 – almost double the size by next year.
“There is a big shortage of veterinarians in Louisiana, in the U.S., in the world, and right now we are programming shovel-ready projects to make this happen.”
LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine is an extremely competitive program to enter. Garden admits out of 1,500 applicants last year, only 120 were accepted. He says the combination of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging makes a great foundation for a thriving department.
“Not only is it meeting the needs of Louisiana workforce requirement but also allowing more of the great applicants applying to our school to get a seat to fulfill their dreams and ambitions.”
The state has given the school $2.2 million in funding. The program is planning three key projects including renovating the auditorium and enlarging the surgical training center while preparing for a newly redesigned curriculum.
“We are also requesting an additional ten million in order to complete these roles and we’re obviously putting some of our own money into the mix as well.”
The school plans to increase its faculty and offer scholarships to attract students.
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