University of Arizona veterinary school gets the green light

The University of Arizona (UA) will open the first public veterinary college in Arizona, aiding a state-wide veterinary shortage.

The long-awaited plans have just been approved on Thursday. UA said that the college will help with the state and national lack of qualified veterinarians.

According to the U.S. Department of agriculture, Arizona has many locations with veterinarian shortages, including Yuma county.

The university received approval Thursday, the first step towards being fully accredited as a veterinary college. It will be eligible for full accreditation once its first students graduate in 2023.

” We are hopeful that by being able to offer these highly skilled people a professional degree in state, they’re more likely to stay in Arizona and serve the people of Arizona, ” said the college’s Dean, Julie Funk, D.V.M.

The College of Veterinary Medicine will be located in Oro Valley, with the first class expected to enroll in fall 2020.

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