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Last updated 5:08 am CT February 09, 2010.
New Incentives for Large Animal Vets
Many vet students are only interested in caring for smaller animals.
Governor Quinn is trying to change that with a new incentive for students who agree to specialize in large animal care.
Finding a veterinarian for your dog or cat usually isn't a problem, but finding someone to take care of these guys can be a chore. Governor Quinn is trying to address that shortage .He's signed a bill that would provide some much needed money for students interested in practicing on large animals,"This is
a great opportunity for the students in Illinois, it's going to provide $20,000 dollars in student loans, their tuition runs about a little over 19 thousand, so it basically is going to pay for their education." says Quinn.
To get the money a student in vet school has to agree to focus more than half of their practice on large animals such as cows or pigs. Animals that many current vet students have no interest in.
Veterinarian Nancy Kucera practices with both large and small animals at Meller James Veterinary in Anna. She says southern Illinois desperately needs more vets,"The eastern part of southern Illinois is woefully underserved by vets...we get calls every once in awhile from people way, I mean were talking
75 miles away looking for veterinary help, and there's just no way that we can travel that type of
distance."
Kucera says it would be nice for vet graduates to locate in this region and help meet the need.
The loan repayment program will be effective for this school year and will run for the next ten years.
By: Andy Waterman
awaterman@wsiltv.com
Now: 1265714345
