outreach. Through our experimental stations and partnerships with rural producers, we can strengthen mentorship for students and create environments where they gain meaningful exposure during the curriculum to the careers so desperately needed in the industry. Communities must support and welcome veterinarians into the fold, and the public must begin to recognize the essential role rural veterinarians play, not just in the lives of farmers, but in ensuring the safety and quality of the food we all rely on. ■
Students don’t enter rural practice if they’ve never seen what it looks like or don’t believe they’re capable. But when they do get that experience, something incredible happens: they realize they can do it, and they fall in love with the lifestyle and the work. So what’s the answer? Honestly, it’s complicated. Veterinary schools, especially land-grant and agricultural institutions, must continue to invest in large animal training and rural
Special thanks to Jake Hennig for capturing these images at the V-Bar-V Ranch.
Dr. Brownlee performs ultrasounds on cattle while UA CVM students Amanda Doorenbos, Brandon Reynolds, and Zoe Mason deworm, vaccinate, tag, check ages, and palpate the cattle as they move through the chute.
VETCAT INSIDER
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