Grassroots group tells story of rural veterinary life

The Academy of Rural Veterinarians (ARC) wants a few future practitioners to take the off-ramp to city careers.

ARC members aim to steer students toward rural practice by visiting each of the nation's 28 veterinary institutions. The mission: to use education as means for easing the profession's migration from rural practice. The goal is to alleviate misconceptions, says ARV President Dr. Brett Andrews, of Burwell, Neb., a town of 1,200.

"Even if students aren't interested in large animal medicine, they have to realize that rural residents have pets, too," he says. "We're here to tell them about the bells and whistles of rural life."

ARV mentoring

Born out of a need to hire associates, a network of six food animal veterinarians formed ARV in 2003. Now with nearly 70 members, the group has grown beyond its original charge to include mentoring.

ARV matches members with students to share experiences, guidance and offer first-hand knowledge of what it's like to be a rural veterinarian.

"Our members have students out to their practices, they show them the advantages of a small community, lower cost of living and quiet environment," Andrews says. "There's no magic to it; you can make a good living here."