AAEP addresses equine veterinary shortage

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The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) announced the formation of the Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability to help fight the shortage of equine veterinarians within the United States and other countries. The Commission will help create strategies that will help retain and recruit more veterinarians into equine medicine.

“The equine veterinary profession is in crisis,” said Emma Read, DVM, MVSc, DACVS, AAEP president, in an organizational release, “In order to transform equine practice, we must address the pain points which are driving exceptional horse doctors away. Without change, future veterinary care for our nation’s horses will be greatly jeopardized.”¹

According to the release,¹ this new Commission will be made up of AAEP member volunteers who will focus on compensation, strategies for effective emergency coverage, internships, veterinary practice, and supporting equine veterinary students’ growth and development. With 50% of AAEP members operating one or two veterinarian practices, the Commission will ensure their needs are considered.

“Every person in the profession has a role to play in its transformation,” Read continued, “This is one of the largest initiatives ever undertaken by the AAEP and we look forward to collaborating with equine veterinarians and those who help support them in all facets of practice to change the numbers.”

In data collected by the AAEP,¹ 1.3% of new veterinary graduates enter equine practice directly each year 4.5% pursue further training in equine internship positions. Yet within 6 years, 50% of all these equine veterinarians leave for small animal practice or leave the industry together.

References

AAEP Creates Commission to Alleviate Equine Veterinarian Shortage. News release. American Association of Equine Practitioners. July 7, 2022. Accessed July 12, 2022. https://aaep.org/news/aaep-creates-commission-alleviate-equine-veterinarian-shortage