Looking for a financial boost this month? How about $75,000 in loan repayment. Plus, details on our next Board meeting

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

board of animal health

Animal Bytes

January 2024

Veterinarians can get up to $75,000 in loan repayment assistance

Student Loans written in notebook

Minnesota has seven regional openings in the USDA's Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) for 2024. There will be up to $10 million in funding available to help address food animal veterinarian shortages across the U.S., including areas across Minnesota from Houston County to Todd County. The program helps qualified veterinarians offset student loan debt in return for their service in designated geographic veterinary shortage areas.

Awardees commit to providing at least three years of food animal veterinary services in a designated veterinary shortage area in return for payments of up to $25,000 of student loan debt per year with a maximum of $75,000 for a three-year contract.

A new requirement in 2024 is a Letter of Intent. Specific instructions are available in the link below and the deadline to submit the letter is is April 1, 2024, while the deadline to submit the entire application is April 12, 2024.

Learn how to apply for a VMLRP shortage area online.

Keep reading...

Fifth edition of Livestock Exhibition Handbook released

Who is responsible for making sure exhibitors meet exhibition requirements for their animals? What are the requirements for petting zoos? You'll find the answer to these questions and a whole lot more in our recently updated Livestock Exhibition Handbook.

Learn the rules and requirements for many different types of exhibitions for all kinds of species including cattle, dogs, Cervidae, horses, poultry, sheep and goats, swine and more.

Download a digital copy of the Livestock Exhibition Handbook.


Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Koppien-Fox on AVMA appointment

The America Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently appointed Board member Dr. Jessica Koppien-Fox to the AVMA Council on Veterinary Services, representing private mixed practice.

Per the AVMA, the Council on Veterinary Service is charged with:

  • Assemble and make available information and recommendations to the veterinary profession with respect to the delivery of service.
  • Study and suggest means for the delivery of veterinary service to the public.
  • Investigate matters pertaining to the economic and social aspects of veterinary service.
  • Collaborate with other entities within the AVMA on matters concerning veterinary service.
  • Review policies assigned to the Council by AVMA leadership.
  • Develop policies and materials pertinent to the delivery of veterinary services.

February Board Meeting

The first quarterly meeting of our Board in 2024 is Wednesday, February 6 in Willmar. It will be held in-person at the Willmar Conference Center, 240 23rd Street SE, Willmar, MN 56201. The meeting will be streamed live on Microsoft Teams. Visit our Board Members webpage for streaming details and links.