FLORHAM PARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Zoetis and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) invite second- and third-year veterinary students to apply for the 2015 Zoetis Veterinary Student Scholarship Program.
In 2014, Zoetis awarded scholarships to 452 veterinary students. Each scholarship is $2,000 and interested students can apply for scholarships at VetVance®, a free online resource for students and recent graduates, through Nov. 30.
“By investing in the next generation of veterinarians, we can address some of the challenges facing the industry, including the issues of student debt and the need for greater diversity in professional tracks among students,” said Dr. Christine Jenkins, Chief Veterinary Medical Officer, Zoetis U.S. “This partnership with AAVMC broadens our ability to support students and veterinary medicine as a whole.”
In 2013, the average debt load for a new veterinary school graduate was $162,113[1], an increase of nearly 7 percent from 2012. To help alleviate some of the burden of this debt, Zoetis started its scholarship program in 2010. Since its inception, the program has provided more than $3.6 million to more than 1,500 veterinary students. Scholarships are awarded to veterinary students at accredited schools in the United States and the Caribbean.
Eligibility criteria include academic excellence, financial need, diversity, sustainability, leadership and career path. Scholarships will be awarded to students in all areas of professional interest, including food animal medicine, small animal clinical medicine, research, government services, public health, and organized veterinary medicine. AAVMC will provide the list of potential recipients to the colleges for review and approval before final recipients are chosen.
Award eligibility also is subject to the guidelines established by individual schools.
“The AAVMC prides itself in promoting leadership and diversity in the veterinary profession,” said Dr. Andrew Maccabe, Executive Director of the AAVMC. “This partnership with Zoetis is a wonderful way to recognize student achievement and support our future veterinarians.”
To learn more about the Zoetis Veterinary Student Scholarship Program or to apply for a scholarship, students will need to register at VetVance®. The online site also provides students and recent graduates with content on topics generally not covered in a student’s core curriculum, such as professional development, business skills, and financial literacy.
VetVance and the scholarship program are part of the Zoetis Commitment to Veterinarians™ platform, which offers support through training and education, research and development, investing in the future of the veterinary profession, and philanthropy.
About Zoetis
Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2013, the company generated annual revenues of $4.6 billion. With approximately 9,800 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2014, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 27 manufacturing facilities in 10 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
Zoetis is the proud sponsor with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association of the mobile educational exhibit Animal Connections: Our Journey Together. Families visiting the exhibit will explore the vast bonds between people and animals and learn about the important role veterinarians play in protecting animal and human health. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com/animal-connections-tour.
About AAVMC
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Its members include 49 veterinary medical colleges throughout the world. www.aavmc.org
[1] Shepherd AJ, Pikel L. Employment, starting salaries and educational indebtedness of year-2013 graduates of US veterinary medical colleges. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2013;243:983-987. Available at: http://avmajournals.avma.org/doi/pdfplus/10.2460/javma.243.7.983