Some Virginia large animal veterinarians could get over $100,000 from state

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Some Virginia veterinarians who care for large animals like livestock, poultry and equines could potentially receive more than $100,000 grant from the state.

Starting Tuesday, July 1, the Virginia Department of Agriculture (VDACS) is accepting applications for its Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program, according to a press release. Eligible veterinarians are those who treat large animals like livestock, poultry or equines.

There is a critical shortage of practicing large animal veterinarians in Virginia, according to VDACS -- despite the fact that agriculture is Virginia's largest private industry. This grant money hopes to support these professionals.

"Virginia’s agricultural industry stakeholders are working strategically together to address a shortage of large animal veterinarians, which are so important to farmers and rural communities in the Commonwealth,” said state veterinarian Charlie Broaddus in the release. “The shortage is a national issue, with fewer veterinarians entering and staying in large animal practice than in other areas of veterinary medicine."

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Four veterinarians will be chosen to receive up to $110,000 each from VDACS. These funds will be distributed over a three-year period, VDACS said. Up to two veterinarians will receive up to $150,000 each from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, which is working alongside VDACS to support Virginia's large animal veterinarians.

“In Virginia, we support our farmers and all those who help keep our food supply secure and safe,” said VDACS commissioner Joseph Guthrie in the release. “Delayed or inaccessible veterinary care leads to increased animal health risks and production losses. We hope this grant will recruit and retain the best and brightest large animal veterinarians to continue serving our communities with quality care well into the future.”

The awardees will be chosen by a panel of industry representatives, who will score each applicant with a standardized rubric.

The deadline to apply is Sept. 1. You can find more information on how to do so on VDACS' website.

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In addition to this specific effort, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech will create a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine position. According to VDACS, that person will be able to coordinate grant programs and "create a network of support" that connects both Virginia farmers and the state's large animal veterinarian industry with resources.