Veterinary Needs Assessment for Alaska
Prepared for the University of Alaska Fairbanks
August 2010
Michelle LeKites, MBA
Henry P. Huntington, Ph.D.
Huntington Consulting
23834 The Clearing Dr.
Eagle River, Alaska 99577
Note: Attached is the executive summary from a Veterinary Needs Assessment
conducted in July – August 2010. The primary purpose of this survey was to obtain input
on the state need for veterinarians and the opportunity for Alaskans to pursue a career in
veterinary medicine or any ancillary animal, human or public health endeavor. We
sought input from veterinarians licensed in the State of Alaska, animal owners, state and
federal agencies, and subsistence users.
The needs assessment was done to provide a:
 Brief review of existing academic, research, service, and outreach opportunities
provided to Alaskans interested in veterinary and environmental health careers
and professional development.
 Survey of stakeholder perceptions including but not limited to the Alaska State
and Regional Veterinary Medical Associations, the Alaska Board of Veterinary
Examiners, rural communities, livestock producers, horse and mushing
communities, Office of the State Veterinarian, State agencies (DHSS, DEC,
ADF&G, DNR, etc.) and Federal agencies (USGS, NPS, USF&WS, NMFS, etc).
 Evaluation of Alaskan, particularly high school and university students, interest in
veterinary medicine, environmental health sciences, and related programs.
Consideration of current opportunities and cost to Alaskans.
Executive Summary
To become licensed as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, an Alaska student must uproot him- or
herself from the state for no less than four years, compete with the in-state preference
programs at most universities, and pay hefty out-of-state tuition rates. In an effort to alleviate
some of these burdens, as well as to provide other tangential benefits to the state and its
residents, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) is considered offering the first two years of
education in the state, partnering with Colorado State University (CSU) for the final two years.
This study, which surveyed Alaskan clinical and non-clinical veterinarians, veterinary employers,
and allied professionals, was commissioned to assess the perceived needs and desirability of
such a venture.
Support for the proposed program is evident among three-fourths of the 86 survey
respondents in their concluding response, an open-ended request for input on the proposal.
Supporting comments cited an increase in Alaskan veterinary students, reduction in student
debt upon graduation, the possible progression into a vet tech program, less competition for
acceptance, and improved rural care due to Alaska student retention.
Concerns were raised about the financial feasibility of the venture and whether it would serve
the purpose of retaining Alaskan students. It was also noted that the lack of access to seasoned
professors and upper level students could put Alaskan students at a disadvantage upon entering
their final two years at CSU.
Seventy-five percent of clinical veterinarians with ownership/management responsibilities at
their place of employment reported having difficulties in recruiting new veterinarians.
Retention issues were less prominent, but still difficult among 44%. Almost all veterinary
employers who reported difficulties in hiring new associates felt that the UAF program would
provide qualified professionals for their organization, and touted the job prospects for newly
graduated veterinarians in the state.
Nine of twelve non-clinical veterinarians and 19 of 50 clinical veterinarians suggested that
additional training is needed to work in Alaska, with the following specifics identified: rural
practice and field based procedures, wildlife capture and handling techniques, sled dog
medicine, local and regional parasites, and epidemiology. It was suggested that these needs
could be addressed with rural practice rotations, externships and dedicated coursework. In a
separate survey of veterinary employers staffing more than one DVM, almost 75% reported
that standard training is sufficient for their staff. One-fourth suggested the need for further onthe-job training, experience, or a Ph.D. in pathology or a related field.
To gain a broader view of the veterinary industry and veterinary education and how they might
be affected by the proposed 2+2 program, six of the clinical and all 12 of the non-clinical
respondents were identified as key informants and further queried with a series of open-ended
questions. It was agreed that few veterinary school graduates consider Alaska as a career
destination, indicating a need to recruit more Alaskans into veterinary careers in order to
increase the number of candidates for employment in the state.
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Almost all key informants reported having spoken to students about pursuing veterinary
medicine as a career. Of the concerns raised among students, most could be addressed by the
proposed UAF degree program: the low rate of acceptance at veterinary schools, the financial
burden of out-of-state tuition, and a reluctance to leave Alaska for such a long period.
A majority of key informants felt that the program would have a positive effect on veterinary
care and veterinary medicine as a profession in Alaska. Concerns were raised with how many
veterinarians our market could bear, the quality of training available in-state, and the potential
for competition with local clinical veterinarians if a training hospital were part of the program.
Allied professionals surveyed, although only five in number, reported that specialized training
for Alaska veterinarians is required and agreed that having a veterinary school at UAF would
help increase the availability of needed veterinary services in Alaska.
Published data on the veterinary profession project it to be the 18th fastest growing occupation
in the US between 2008 and 2018, increasing 33% over that period of time. This raises the
question as to whether existing veterinary schools can train enough professionals to fill the
need.
The US is already witnessing a severe shortage of veterinarians in the areas of food supply, rural
care, public health, and diagnostic laboratory and biomedical research. Only one small
veterinary school has opened in the past 30 years. Therefore, even as demand grows , the US
can still only graduate about 2,500 veterinarians each year. The rate of attrition through
retirement almost exceeds that number. The US Animal Health Association identifies the
leading cause of our overall veterinary shortages to be lack of capacity at our colleges.
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