Higher debt, lower salaries a continuing concern for grads

The confluence of a weak economy and increasingly high cost to attend veterinary college—forcing most students to take out sizeable loans to complete their education—has greatly impacted life for many recent graduates. These practitioners are now struggling to pay off their debts as they begin new jobs. Recent efforts by the AVMA, federal government, and others may provide some assistance.

AVMA

Forward progress

Dr. Ted Cohn, chair of the AVMA Executive Board, provides updates about progress on the AVMA's veterinary economic strategy and how the Association is working to make the AVMA more responsive to members.

Studies delve into origins of domestic dogs

Researchers in China recently published a study that suggests Southeast Asian wolves were the source of domesticated dogs, and researchers from California published a study indicating dogs from Southeast Asia influenced modern European and American breeds. The study from China was published online ahead of print in the journal Heredity, and the study from California was published in the online journal PloS One.

Antiguan veterinary school closes

American University of Antigua suspended its two-year veterinary program in late 2011. The program opened in January 2010, and an agreement with the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine allowed up to five qualified students to transfer to Virginia-Maryland to complete their veterinary educations. Three students were expected to transfer to Virginia-Maryland in January. Other students could apply to attend St. George's University School of Veterinary Medicine on the island of Grenada.