More women veterinarians are needed to fill gaps in rural care, but they face issues with sexism and gender pay gaps

Dr. Bailey Lammers courtesy photo

Like many rural workforces that were once male dominated, female veterinarians face sexism and salary discrepancies even though they are now filling many of the shortages in veterinary care. Dr. Bailey Lammers "started her veterinary career nearly a decade ago in her home state of Nebraska where she joined a minority of women practicing in rural areas. At first, Lammers said clients were hesitant about her ability to care for their livestock," reports Lilley Halloran of Harvest Public Media. Lammers told Halloran, "There would be times where they would call in and be like, 'I don't want the female.'"

"Being part of a traditional family and a veteran of the Air Force, Lammers said she hardened herself to criticism from men and eventually built a list of supportive clients," Halloran reports. "Lammers' experience as a veterinarian reflects a national trend. In 2009, the number of women practicing veterinary medicine grew to outnumber men and has only risen since. . . . But experts say rural veterinary spaces are still largely dominated by men."

Clint Neill, a veterinary economist at Applied Economics Consulting, said, "Farming and ranching is a male-dominated field, and as a result, women veterinarians are unlikely to locate in rural practices and even less likely to own them," Halloran adds. "Neill also pointed out a pay gap among veterinarians who own their practices, with male owners making up to $100,000 more than their female counterparts."

Dr. Tamara Hancock, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Missouri School of Veterinary Medicine, believes that "discrimination based on gender is the only explanation for the lingering gap in wages," Halloran reports. "Experts warn more veterinarians are needed across the board. . . . Lammers anticipates even rural industries are bound to be dominated by women soon, given the high number of women entering veterinary schools."

Lammers told Halloran, "Whether the older generation likes it or not, we're going to need everybody to help, you know, raise animals and keep them healthy and keep our food supply healthy."