Building interest in Rural Veterinary medicine

The Center for Veterinary Health Sciences and OSU Extension veterinarians and agents teamed up to launch a pilot program this summer to encourage high school students to explore veterinary careers in rural communities where the need for food animal veterinarians is growing.

The top 12 high school applicants from Oklahoma rural areas, hosted by the CVHS admissions and recruitment team, spent three days in July participating in hands-on activities with various food animals. Faculty members Drs. Lionel Dawson, John Gilliam, Reed Holyoak, Larry Stein, D.L. Step and Bob Streeter provided instruction.

Funded by Dr. Michael Lorenz, CVHS dean, the Veterinary Medicine in Agriculture Summer Exploration Program aims to establish the first link in a chain of relationships that will support students as they meet with and are mentored by current CVHS students and the veterinarians in their communities. The program will continue to link students to the center as they go through their undergraduate degree program in preparation for veterinary college.

in addition to providing free veterinary services for the resident animals at the shelter for the past 15 years, the CVHS’s hospital now offers a free first office visit and examination for animals adopted from the Humane Society of Stillwater.

Maverick, the longest resident at the Humane Society, had been there for two years waiting for someone to take him home. The 3½-year-old dog is a “Heinz 57” mix, Reck says. “I just know he’s a great dog whatever breed he is. Both dogs have adjusted well to living with me, and they have brought so much enjoyment to my life.”