BOONE, NC, February 10, 2021 / PRNewswire / – Appalachian State University and Banfield Pet Hospital® – the leading provider of preventive veterinary care in the United States and part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices – have announced a partnership to strengthen the pipeline of licensed veterinary technicians and create a more sustainable future for the veterinary profession. This is a direct response to a recent study by Banfield which found that an estimated 75 million pets in the US may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030. One important factor is a critical shortage of veterinarians.
As part of the partnership, Banfield has made a multi-million dollar commitment to develop a new 4-year online degree program with App State for Licensed Veterinary Technicians (LVTs). This will meet market demand – especially in rural communities – for qualified veterinary professionals.
“App State excels at developing visionary academic programs that address the skills shortage in rural communities and help advance industry standards,” said the Chancellor Sheri Everts said. “This partnership with the leading pioneer in animal health care is synergetic and forward-looking. With graduation and licensing rates well above the national average, our university is in a unique position to develop and deploy a signature program that promotes of the profession. Enhance the role of the licensed veterinary technician and meet market demand for skilled rural veterinary professionals. “
Much like a health care nurse, LVTs can work with a doctor to provide services such as giving vaccinations or checking vital signs.
“As part of the Mars Veterinary Health practice family, Banfield is committed to empowering and recognizing the role of licensed veterinary technicians as critical members of the veterinary team,” said Dr. Daniel Aja, Chief Veterinary Relations and Transformation Officer at Banfield. “We are excited to partner with App State and invest in this unique program that will benefit veterinarians, pets and the wider industry as the demand for pet care continues to grow.”
App State interim provost and executive vice chancellor Heather Norris said, “We have assembled an interdisciplinary team from the App State faculty to develop a rigorous signature program that will be a model for developing licensed veterinary professionals and setting unprecedented industry standards.”
The App State Online program is housed in the university’s College of Arts & Sciences and combines Bachelor of Science qualifications with preparation for admission as a Veterinary Technician. The App State faculty creates the curriculum, program, and courses. The first class of the program is expected to start in the fall of 2022.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows there were more than 110,000 LVT jobs in the US in 2020, and predicts an increase of nearly 20% over the next five years. Industry reports predict a gap in LVT supply of more than 50,000 by 2029. Pet Spending Continues to Rise – Data from the BLS and the American Pet Products Association show annual sales of pet products and services in the United States are nearing $ 100 billionand Americans are increasing pet care spending at rates higher than household income increases.
“When veterinarians practice at the top of their license, hospitals get the best results: dedicated customers and a unified team that delivers superior care,” said Aja. “In support of our goal – A Better World for Pets – we believe that the profession must use all veterinarians to the best of their ability to ensure pets receive the care they need.”
over Appalachian State University
As the leading public elementary school in the state North Carolina, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand their responsibilities and are committed to creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience fosters a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, grow holistically, act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. Appalachian is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is one of 17 locations in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student to faculty ratio, and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Via Banfield Pet Hospital
Banfield Pet Hospital was founded in Portland, Ore. in 1955 and is now a pioneer in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general veterinary clinics in 42 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. More than 3,600 Banfield Vets are committed to providing high quality veterinary care to over three million pets annually. As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of brands, Banfield is committed to its purpose – A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS® – because pets are a better world for us.
SOURCE Banfield Pet Hospital