St Matthew's exploits worldwide demand for vets

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Having just completed its first year of operation, the St Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine is experiencing tremendous growth. Currently there are 35 students enrolled at the school, and it projects that 25 new students will enter this fall semester.
According to the Dean of Basic Science at St Matthew's University School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr A L stated that there is a huge demand for veterinarians and there are just not enough vet schools to keep up.
"The US programmes are overloaded and there are waiting lists to get in," said Dr Lichtenwalner. "The Caribbean is an extension of that demand as an alternative for students to move forward in their careers."
She explained that in the last five years, demand for veterinarians has been higher than the number graduating. Driving the market is an increased demand for veterinarians for companion animals, food animals and industrial veterinary medicine. There has also been an increased emphasis on bio-safety to ensure the quality in food animals.
Dr L explained that 15 years ago, the job market was much tougher for qualified vets to find good work. But today, veterinarians just graduating have a wide choice of career opportunities as well as high starting salary offers.
To attract veterinarians, companies and clinics are recruiting graduates right out of vet school, and sponsoring tuition. And she doesn't see the demand slowing down.
Because vet schools are overloaded in the US, it has opened up opportunities to build vet schools in the Caribbean. Currently, St Matthew's University is one of three veterinary schools in the region. The other two are in St Kitts and Grenada. And according to Dr L, veterinarians who have trained in the Caribbean are received favourably in the US.
One reason is that students have numerous opportunities to study tropical and exotic animals.
For example in Grand Cayman, students have had the chance to observe care of turtles at Boatswain's Beach and things like the recently rescued manatee with the Department of Environment, not to mention the Blue Iguanas.
The young student vets have also been able to work with numerous facilities in the private sector including Animal House and Butterfly Farm.
Students have also been able to do basic exams on horses at a local stable. This is important because vet students need to have experience with large animals.
"There is a huge amount of interest in the school for anyone interested in tropical birds, exotic fish, tropical reptiles and marine biology," she added.
Dr Lichtenwalner stated that students take their basic science programme in Grand Cayman, which is seven semesters. Students then do their last three semesters of their programme at an affiliated teaching hospital in the US, where they get their clinical training.
She was careful to note that St Matthew's University does not keep animal colonies. Students develop their skills in the basic science programme using cadavers, models and interaction with animals in the community.
One concern when the school opened was whether it would be flooding the area with veterinarians practicing in the Islands. But the intention of the school was only to train veterinarians who would then go back to their home country to practice.
Since the school opened last year, she stated that the veterinarian community has really embraced the school and provided numerous opportunities for students.
One family, O and E B donated microbiology lab equipment and supplies.
Furthermore, Ms B, used her expertise in medical laboratory technology to help get the microbiology course underway last semester.
Dr L explained that veterinarians are expected to have a vast knowledge of animals. For example if a vet doesn't recognise a breed of dog then they will lose legitimacy in the eyes of the client, which is a driving factor to give students a wide variety of experience.
"Our responsibility is to give students a well rounded education about animals large and small, in the early phase of their career," said Dr L.
Another vital part of the vet school is the community service programme, which develops awareness in the vet student community of ways it can assist locally.
"For instance, the first semester class helped clean beaches on a number of occasions last year, including taking a truckload of trash from the beach near Barkers.
"Among other things, students participated in the Humane Society dog show, with the able assistance of Dr Angie MacInnes, who is experienced in showing dogs and organised the students to help coordinate the agility class at the show.
"Students in this programme receive points for each volunteer activity they do, and recognition is given to the high-scoring student at the end of their basic science semesters.
"We are continually seeking volunteer activities, and would love to be contacted about supplying volunteer help where needed," she said.

article from
Cayman Net News: St Matthew's exploits worldwide demand for vets

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Free shuttle service to SMU students!!! GoodDoc

Wow, only 25? When I went to visit the campus in June I saw a total of 5 students in the library, 2 of them vet students (wearing red shirts). Seems like the vet students have a higher, ahem, "pedigree" when it comes to their education.