Economic troubles extend to Virginia-Tech's equine center

Blacksburg, Va.

-- Virginia Tech's Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center is eliminating a handful of positions as a result of economic woes.

The equine medical center, like many university-affiliated veterinary hospitals, has been contending with increased competition from board-certified equine specialists in the private sector, as well as deteriorating economic conditions that have affected the horse industry and reduced demand for equine healthcare, according to a release from the school.

"Despite needing to eliminate two clinical faculty positions and four staff positions, our plan is to maintain and improve existing levels of service and quality," says Dr. Gerhardt Schurig, dean of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.

In addition to providing advanced referral services for performance, pleasure and show horses and conducting research, the equine medical center trains veterinary students. It also offers post-graduate internship and residency training programs for veterinarians who come from veterinary colleges based in the United States and around the world.