New York opens door to Canadian veterinarians

ALBANY, N.Y. — Canadian veterinarians and technicians can continue to practice in New York due to an extension on waived citizenship and residency requirements.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer signed a bill in July to address what he considers a chronic shortage of qualified veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians, especially in northern and western regions of the state. The waiver applies only in counties that the New York State Department of Education determines has a shortage of qualified DVMs. All other qualifications for veterinary licensure as required by the state education department remain intact.

The extension, which applies until Dec. 31, 2010, requires authorities to make a county-by-county determination concerning whether or not there's a DVM shortage. Canadian veterinarians applying to practice in New York must have graduated from an AVMA-accredited veterinary program.

New York State Veterinary Medical Society officials view the law as a Band-Aid for growing manpower deficiencies in the state, says Tom Gosdeck, the group's legislative representative.

"Every time I open up the vet news in New York, there's probably 100 ads for jobs," he says. "The more pronounced shortages are in upstate and rural areas, although if you talk to practitioners even in New York City suburbs, they're finding it difficult to fill open positions."