New Jersey Celebrates Opening of Its First Veterinary School Amid National Vet Shortage

First time in state history, New Jersey veterinarians can stay home to follow their dreams. The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University in Gloucester County is a milestone in animal healthcare and higher education in the state.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine students in New Jersey had a rough route till recently. They had to apply to out-of-state programs and compete for restricted spots at greater tuition. Local students can now receive professional veterinary education at home, solving a nationwide deficit of skilled veterinarians.

The school’s first 75 pupils arrived this week. Over half are from New Jersey, and others represent 16 states. The founding dean, Dr. Mathew Edson, gave the new students stethoscopes to start their four-year veterinary medicine education.

Rowan’s new vet program is crucial. By next year, the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges predicts a shortfall of about 15,000 veterinarians. Pet owners and animal facilities across face increased demand for care and fewer specialists due to this scarcity. Dean Edson stressed that the new school represents New Jersey’s educational success and a much-needed solution to animal health’s manpower shortfall.

The program’s finances make chances accessible. Annual tuition is $37,500 for in-state students and $58,500 for out-of-state students. The annual cost of lodging, meals, books, and other fees is just around $30,000. Financial aid for qualifying students is projected to reduce professional student debt.

The Shreiber School opened with public and private backing. A 100,000-square-foot academic and clinical complex on Rowan’s West Campus in Harrison Township, 18 miles from Philadelphia, was approved by the New Jersey legislature in 2021 for $75 million. Businessman Gerald B. Shreiber donated $30 million to expand the program and finance student scholarships.

The school recently started, but its impact is already being felt. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education has given a “Letter of Reasonable Assurance,” indicating the program would be accredited once it meets requirements. The school will offer pet care to local communities when its modern facilities open in October. Faculty and students will provide dentistry, surgery, emergency, and critical care to residents under expert supervision.

Ophthalmology, imaging, and care for small, large, and exotic animals will be practiced by Rowan veterinary students. More than 60 organizations, including animal shelters, have partnered with the institution to increase instruction and expose students to clinical practice. South Jersey pet owners sometimes wait long for veterinarian care, but this effort is anticipated to increase access.

This program is a first for New Jersey and gives pet owners and animal lovers who rely on qualified veterinarians hope. The Shreiber School is an educational success and a direct response to the US’s pressing need for additional veterinarians as the first class begins.

Sources:
Rowan University
American Veterinary Medical Association
Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges
New Jersey Legislature