With no vet school and lots of animals, Arkansas looks for a way to fund veterinary training

Like many states, Arkansas and its most rural areas are in need of veterinarians. But no state university offers a veterinary program, forcing aspiring vets to leave the state to obtain their degree. Through grants, 12 veterinary students each year can earn in-state tuition at Louisiana State University, the University of Missouri, Tuskegee University and Oklahoma State University. "But a premature depletion of the program’s funds has left the state unable to support the veterinary grants," Julie Scheidegger reports for DVM360, a news source for veterinary medical information. (Photo by DVM360)

"In 2008, the state Legislature moved $20 million from the program’s reserves to offset lottery revenue shortcomings, exhausting the fund much earlier than expected," Scheidegger reports. Shane Broadway, interim director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, told Scheidegger, “Instead of running out in 2017, it runs out now." In 2011 and 2013, higher education officials requested lawmakers to act to help the program, but they were not unsuccessful, Scheidegger reports.

Democratic Gov. Mike Beebe wants the Legislature to move $1.1 million from the "rainy day fund" to the program. Approval, which is expected, "would guarantee one year of financial assistance for the dozen students set to begin programs this fall," Scheidegger reports. But it is only one-time money, meaning students attending LSU in 2013-14 for about $21,500 will be responsible for about $48,350 the following year, if the program is not continued. (Read more)