State/Territory
Vermont
Shortage Location - Must Serve
Sullivan County, NH
Shortage Location - May Serve
Grafton County, NH and Orange County, VT
Location Center
intersection of Main St & Bonner Rd, Plainfield, NH 03781
VSGP Status
Open
VMLRP Status
(Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program)
Open
Priority of shortage
High
Fiscal year
Percent FTE
(Full Time Equivalent, based on a 40hr work week.)
30
Type of Shortage
(Veterinary Practice Area / Discipline / Specialty)
Type II Shortage: Private Practice – Rural Area Food Animal Medicine
Must serve
Dairy Cattle
Other Must Serve
May serve
Beef Cattle
Swine
Poultry
Small Ruminant
Other May Serve
equine
Employer
Position Title
Other disciplinary area
Carry Over
Nominator Name
Stephen K. Crawford
Nominator Title
NH state veterinarian
Nominator Org
NH Dept. of Agriculture, Markets, & Food
Nominator Email
Nominator Phone
603.271.2404
Importance/Objectives of Veterinarian
The number of farms in NH has grown >22% from 2002 to 2017, USDA Census. A 2004 USDA backyard poultry survey showed there are likely more than 1.67M poultry in over 34,000 backyard flocks in NH. NH remains near the top of the nation in direct to consumer sales from farms. Most food animal owners in NH have little to no background in husbandry or disease control, and there is no extension veterinarian position in NH. Currently, many food animal owners have minimal access to veterinary care or state support at a time when food safety, disease risks (local, foreign, wildlife), VFD and other antimicrobial regulations, etc. require more veterinary access not less. Combined, these issues - rising animal/farm numbers, under-trained owners, direct sales, limited private vet care options, lack of state resources - raise the risk of disease introduction, zoonotic or not, and transmission before diagnosis. Retaining food animal veterinarians in the regions of NH nearest the human population centers is critical to public health, animal health, emergency response, food safety, and animal welfare. This area is home to thousands of food animals on hundreds of sites, some under veterinary care and more that are not. In the last year, two practices in the region – 1 in northern Grafton and 1 in southern Sullivan – have stopped large animal work. One closed and one now sees only small animals. The remaining practice has ~40% (~1FTE, per practice owner) of regular clients with food animals, and many more with equines, as well as a tremendous growth opportunity for new clients. A high proportion of these animal owners are new enough to animal ownership to need consistent access to veterinary care since they cannot provide any on their own. Backyard swine, small ruminants, poultry, and dairy are abundant.
Veterinarian Medical Activities & Services
This veterinarian will engage in typical mixed, food animal practice in an area with a growing population of livestock and livestock owners. There is a significant client base, and potential for much more, in these counties - Sullivan & Grafton in NH, and Orange County, VT. Geographic distance is usually less than 50 miles, but travel times in rural New England are often lengthy. Regular practice will include routine and emergency care of livestock, as well as all-species client education regarding disease, husbandry, welfare, zoonoses, AMR, and food safety concerns. Area practices are seeking associates to pick up food animal work with minimal success. Retaining a young veterinarian, or recruiting a new one, here will continue to improve timeliness of detection of unusual disease occurrences and any necessary regulatory response; oversight of animal health problems that impact public health and food safety; and management of animal welfare by continuing to provide immediate care in an otherwise unserved area of growing food animal populations. Approximately half of the practice area is in an under-served area of Vermont which will substantially expand the practice opportunities.
Historical Efforts of Recruiting/Retaining a Veterinarian
For many years, the state of NH had a program that covered the out-of-state cost of attending veterinary college for NH residents. On several occasions the NH Legislature has also considered a tuition reimbursement program for veterinarians who choose livestock practice in under-served parts of the state. Unfortunately, no recent state budgets have included funds to re-establish these programs, though there are rumblings that this idea will be revisited in the 2024 session, beginning in January. The primary practice in this area has a growing client base and is challenged to keep up with client needs.
Consequences of Not Securing/Retaining a Veterinarian
Though often overlooked for its food animal populations, NH is among the top states for total direct to consumer sales. This is an expanding area and opportunity in NH agriculture, and this practice area is close to the human population centers driving the direct-to-consumer markets. The number, though not necessarily the average size, of livestock farms in NH has grown 22% from 2002 to 2017. The UK offers an example of what can happen to a similar agriculture model when a disease emergency occurs (i.e. in 2001 FMD caused a reported loss of more than 25% of farms in the UK and the loss of many of those lands for future use as farm lands). Effective emergency response, animal health management, on-farm food safety control, and animal welfare are directly related not only to the number of animals impacted but to the number of locations where animals are housed. Growth in farm numbers without the supporting veterinary infrastructure and service presents a risk to not only local communities, but to the state and the nation depending on the type of event that may occur. Providing veterinary support to such farms also supports local economies by keeping farmland in use rather than converting it to housing; providing income opportunities to livestock owners; and mitigating animal-origin human health risks on the farm.
Community Aspects
The practice location is in the heart of the Upper Valley of the CT River. The scenic Connecticut River divides New Hampshire and Vermont, and a historic bridge links the charming towns of Hanover, NH and Norwich, VT. With the Green Mountains to the west and the White Mountains to the east, you're surrounded by rugged beauty. With the Appalachian Trail running through the area and the Connecticut River steps away, outdoor activities are always accessible here. The Dartmouth Outing Club (DOC) is the country's oldest and largest collegiate outing club, with membership open to all community members. Local farm stands and markets stock fresh produce and handmade gourmet items. Tucked into the scenic valley, museums display everything from old-time machinery to contemporary sculpture to native wildlife. The Upper Valley is brimming with arts and culture, offering easy access to large-scale multifaceted theaters as well as smaller venues and spontaneous pop-ups catering to local talent and smaller audiences. The Upper Valley has many wonderful restaurants from which to choose: American, Asian, French, Italian, Fusion, Mexican, and more. From elegant to casual, in-town to country, there are plenty of choices to satisfy your cravings and your pocketbook. A plethora of shopping opportunities will satisfy those with an eye for a deal, featuring one-of-a-kind antiques, vintage clothing, or architectural salvage.