The veterinary profession is approaching a critical juncture. Industry analyses project a significant veterinary care shortage by 2030, a challenge that threatens professional sustainability and also the wellbeing of millions of animals and the families who love them. As appointment wait times increase and rural areas face clinic closures, this shortage is already beginning to impact communities across the nation. At the Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition (DVMC), we recognize that solving this challenge requires tapping into the full spectrum of talent across all communities. We've united leading veterinary organizations to create pathways for talented, passionate students who have historically faced barriers to entering the profession.

Understanding the Current Crisis

Several factors contribute to the impending veterinary care shortage:

An aging veterinary workforce approaching retirement
Geographic maldistribution of veterinary services, particularly in rural areas
Rising demand for veterinary care as pet ownership increases
Limited capacity in veterinary schools compared to growing need
High educational costs creating barriers to entry

While these challenges are significant, they also present an opportunity to reimagine how we recruit, train, and support the next generation of veterinary professionals.

The Untapped Talent Pool

Many communities remain significantly underrepresented in veterinary medicine. Talented students with the aptitude and passion for animal care often face substantial obstacles:

Financial barriers including high education costs and limited resources for test preparation
Lack of exposure to veterinary career paths in early education
Limited access to mentorship and professional networks
Few visible role models who share similar backgrounds
Geographic and socioeconomic barriers to gaining required experience

As our coalition often reminds everyone: "It's Hard to Be What You Can't See."

When students encounter veterinary professionals with whom they can identify, they gain confidence that they too can succeed in this demanding field. By expanding representation, we strengthen the profession with unique perspectives that enhance patient care, client communication, and innovative approaches to veterinary medicine.

Our Approach to Creating Measurable Impact

The Diversify Veterinary Medicine Coalition takes an action-oriented, results-focused approach to expanding access to veterinary education and careers. Our work centers on 4 strategic pillars:

1. Comprehensive Scholarship Program

Our scholarships go beyond simple financial aid to provide a complete support system.The decision to study veterinary medicine starts with a passion for helping animals. But we know that life obstacles can often inhibit us from doing what we love. Our veterinary scholarship program is designed to create accessible pathways for underrepresented students to obtain veterinary degrees through preparation, internships and of course, financial aid.

That’s why we've partnered with the 1890 Universities Foundation to offer financial assistance to highly qualified students attending one of the 19 historically Black universities designated by the Morrill Land Grant of 1890.

Need-based scholarships upto $10000 are awarded each year based on academic merit, demonstrated passion for veterinary medicine, financial need, and commitment to serving communities with limited access to veterinary care.

2. Transformative Education Grants

Our education grants provide access to essential professional conferences that are critical for networking, continuing education, and career advancement:

Conference Attendance: Funding for students and early-career professionals to attend major veterinary conferences including VMX (Veterinary Meeting & Expo), WVC (Western Veterinary Conference), and AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Convention
Travel Support: Assistance with transportation and accommodations to make conference attendance possible
Registration Fees: Coverage of registration costs that might otherwise be prohibitive
Networking Opportunities: Structured mentorship and networking events at conferences to maximize professional connections

These grants ensure that financial constraints don't prevent talented individuals from accessing the career-defining opportunities, continuing education, and professional networks that these important conferences provide.

3. Career Jumpstart Program

The Career Jumpstart Program has been launched as a key initiative to support underrepresented groups within veterinary medicine. Created by our Preceptorship and Student Support Committee, this program connects aspiring veterinary professionals with industry leaders and valuable resources.

The program welcomes:

Current DVMC scholarship recipients
Past and present educational grant recipients

This community serves as both a safety net during challenging times and a launching pad for professional advancement.

4. Paid Preceptorships

Students from underrepresented groups have indicated that obtaining experience in the veterinary field can be challenging, especially when it is unpaid, and that they face unique barriers in securing paid experiences. As a critical requirement for applying to veterinary school, obtaining internships, residencies, and desired jobs, reducing barriers to finding paid veterinary experiences is a key component of our program.

DVMC sponsoring organizations provide paid preceptorships (summer or in-semester jobs) at locations across the U.S. in various areas of the veterinary industry. Our scholars, in turn, bring multiple viewpoints and experiences to our sponsor companies. They also gain access to opportunities with leading industry companies, securing valuable experience and exposure that are necessary for veterinary school applications and career success.

Measuring Our Impact

The DVMC is committed to transparency and measurable outcomes as we grow our initiatives. As a coalition of organizations dedicated to expanding representation in veterinary medicine, we're focused on:

Scholarship Support: Helping talented students overcome financial barriers to veterinary education
Conference Access: Making professional development opportunities accessible through education grants for VMX, WVC, AVMA, and other key industry conferences
Community Growth: Building a supportive network of students, professionals, and allies
Student Success: Supporting recipients throughout their educational journey
Geographic Reach: Expanding representation in communities currently experiencing veterinary care shortages

For detailed information about our progress and impact, we invite you to review our Annual Report for 2023-2024.

How You Can Join the Movement

The future of veterinary medicine depends on collective action. Here's how you can contribute to expanding representation in veterinary medicine:

For Veterinary Professionals:

Become a Mentor: Share your expertise with the next generation
Host Externs: Provide valuable clinical experience to students
Speak at Events: Inspire students by sharing your journey
Join Our Coalition: Encourage your professional organization to partner with DVMC
Contribute: Support our scholarship and grant funds

For Students:

Apply for Scholarships: Explore financial support opportunities
Join Our Community: Connect with peers and mentors
Attend Workshops: Prepare for successful veterinary school applications
Volunteer: Participate in community outreach events
Share Your Story: Help inspire others facing similar challenges

For Educational Institutions:

Apply for Grants: Fund innovative recruitment and retention programs
Partner on Research: Collaborate on studies examining barriers and solutions
Host Events: Create opportunities for students to explore veterinary careers
Review Admissions Processes: Identify and address unintentional barriers
Train Faculty: Enhance support for students from different backgrounds

For Animal Lovers and Advocates:

Spread Awareness: Share DVMC's mission with your networks
Volunteer: Support outreach events in your community
Contribute: Every donation helps fund our scholarships and grants
Advocate: Support policies that expand access to veterinary education
Connect: Introduce us to potential partners and supporters

Stay Connected

Join our community to receive updates on:

Scholarship and grant opportunities
Success stories from students and programs
Upcoming events and webinars
Volunteer and mentorship opportunities
The latest research on expanding representation in veterinary medicine

Together, we're ensuring that the future of veterinary medicine is strong, accessible, and ready to meet the needs of all communities.

How the DVMC is Building a Stronger Future for Animal Care Together