WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) met with officials from Murray State University (MSU) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the development of an accredited school of veterinary medicine at the MSU Hutson School of Agriculture.
“I am proud to support Murray State University’s plan to develop a top-tier, accredited school of veterinary medicine,” said Congressman Comer. “Today’s meeting with USDA and Murray State officials was productive. I know that Murray State University’s Hutson School of Agriculture is well-positioned to not only address the growing demand for rural large animal veterinarians but meet the needs of Kentucky farmers throughout the state. Kentucky’s livestock and equine industries are world renowned and it’s time for the Commonwealth to establish itself as a top destination for students seeking an education in veterinary medicine. I look forward to continuing to work with local, state, and federal leaders, including USDA and the Kentucky General Assembly, to make this plan a reality.”
Currently, there are no veterinary schools in Kentucky. Murray State University is proposing the development of an accredited school of veterinary medicine that will grant Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees and bolster their existing pre-veterinary program, the largest in the state. In Kentucky, there are only 54 vets dedicated to full-time services of large animals, and nationally there is an approximate shortage of 5,000 veterinarians. Murray State University’s Hutson College of Agriculture conducts groundbreaking and crucial research at the main campus and their Breathitt Veterinary Center, one of 23 nationwide diagnostic laboratories to be designated by USDA as a Level 1 facility within the National Animal Health Laboratory Network. The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently released a call for applicants to fill the void in rural veterinarians in Kentucky following the request of Dr. Katherine Flynn, State Veterinarian with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture.