BUTLER, Ky. — A working group in Frankfort has presented plans to ease Kentucky's large animal veterinarian shortage after the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) identified nearly 500 affected counties across 47 states. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) is doing its part to solve a national veterinarian shortage 

  • Eighty-six of 120 Kentucky counties are experiencing some sort of shortage

  • Just 5% of veterinarians in the U.S. practice on large animals; in Kentucky, that's just 3% 

  • Nathan Glaza is one of fewer than a dozen Northern Kentucky veterinarians practicing mixed veterinary 

Nathan Glaza, head veterinarian of Licking Valley Veterinary Service, said every day is unique in his field.

“You never know what's going to walk through the door,” he said. 

The longtime Kentucky resident has specialized in health management of both large and small animals for 13 years. 

"I've worked on everything from seahorses to draft horses and cats," Glaza said.

He added there has been a major shift in the flow of big animals he operates on, as his practice has mostly seen dogs and cats in the past few years. 

According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA), a national veterinarian shortage is having a negative effect on farmers and food supply. Just 5% of U.S. veterinarians practice on large animals. That number is even lower in Kentucky at just 3%. The other 95% have turned to companion animal practices, research or regulatory.

Glaza's practice will stay to help the community because he knows his business is needed, he said. 

"A lot of people have large animals that need services," Glaza said. 

The KDA's Veterinary Shortage Working Group has formed a plan to inspire more students to pursue veterinary school by increasing access to large animal specialty programs and finding innovative ways to make them want to stay in rural areas where they are needed. The plan can be found on KDA's website. 

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