The veterinary workforce in rural Oklahoma is facing a critical inflection point, as outlined in a recent assessment presented by Todd Greenwood of the Farm Journal Foundation. Greenwood was part of an Oklahoma Veterinary Shortage summit held at the HAMM Institute that gathered producers, veterinarians, and practitioners to discuss how to help with the vet shortage.
In a conversation with Oklahoma Farm Report’s Farm Director, KC Sheperd, Greenwood shared the findings of a comprehensive report that analyzes the current challenges and offers a strategic path forward to address the state’s growing veterinary shortage, particularly within food and livestock systems.
Understanding the Scope of the Crisis
“We aggregated data from eight distinct sources, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, state licensing authorities, FFA programs, and colleges of veterinary medicine,” said Greenwood. “By consolidating this information into a single, coherent report, we aimed to provide a clear snapshot of Oklahoma’s veterinary workforce pipeline—where it is thriving, where it is vulnerable, and where attrition is occurring.”
The report’s findings are sobering. Greenwood noted that approximately 630 veterinarians in the state are eligible to retire within the next decade. By contrast, only 240 veterinary students are projected to enter large or mixed animal practices during that same time period.
“These numbers reflect a widening gap between those leaving the field and those entering it, particularly in sectors that serve rural and agricultural communities,” Greenwood emphasized.
Shifting Demographics and New Realities
The data also highlights significant demographic shifts within the profession. “The majority of veterinary graduates are now women—approximately 80 percent nationwide,” said Greenwood. “This presents both challenges and opportunities, especially in terms of mentorship. We strongly recommend fostering intergenerational connections between experienced female veterinarians and incoming graduates.”
According to Greenwood, leveraging these demographic changes will be critical in strengthening the continuity and sustainability of the veterinary profession, particularly in rural areas where mentoring relationships can also help bridge professional isolation and practice management concerns.
Identifying Systemic Gaps in the Veterinary Pipeline
The assessment divides the veterinary career trajectory into four distinct stages:
- High school students and pre-veterinary students
- Undergraduate pre-veterinary students
- Veterinary school students
- Early-career veterinary practitioners
While successful programs exist within each of these phases, Greenwood pointed to a lack of integration across stages. “Each phase may be supported by strong individual programs, but very few coordinated bridges exist between them,” he said. “That disconnection can discourage aspiring veterinarians and contribute to workforce attrition.”
Community-Led Strategies and Scalable Solutions
Despite the seriousness of the issue, Greenwood expressed optimism about Oklahoma’s proactive efforts. “Oklahoma is ahead of many states in recognizing and addressing the issue,” he noted. “I want to especially commend Secretary Blayne Arthur for initiating efforts to bring key stakeholders together. That kind of leadership is essential.”
Greenwood emphasized that responsibility for solving the veterinary shortage does not fall solely on academic institutions. “It would be unfair and unproductive to place the burden solely on leaders like Dr. Ritchie or Dr. Biggs at the College of Veterinary Medicine,” he said. “This is a statewide and community-wide issue. Solutions must include engagement from local lenders, business development organizations, and civic groups.”
Recommendations and Call to Action
The report offers several actionable recommendations, including:
- Forming cross-sector committees focused on each stage of the veterinary pipeline
- Encouraging local financial and logistical support for newly graduated veterinarians
- Building low-cost or no-cost mentorship programs with community collaboration
- Enhancing awareness and recruitment through 4-H, FFA, and other youth leadership organizations
“Our primary goal is to inspire action, not just awareness,” said Greenwood. “Communities must understand the urgency of the shortage—not after it has impacted them, but now—so they can begin investing in solutions before it’s too late.”
For more information and to access the full report, visit: www.ruralveterinaryworkforcesolutions.org.
