Editor:
Many Pennsylvanians trust their beloved pets to the care of their local veterinarian because they know veterinarians provide compassionate care for companion animals. However, fewer Pennsylvanians are aware of the important role veterinarians play in protecting the food supply and supporting public health. Whether caring for a family pet or eradicating disease that would adversely impact the food supply, your Pennsylvania veterinarian was likely educated at the only veterinary school in the state – The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet).
Since its inception, Penn Vet has received funding from Pennsylvania — that is until the most recent state budget proposal. That funding has supported the education of students like me, who face significant financial barriers.
We must restore funding to Penn Vet immediately. Here’s why: The protection of our food supply is critical. Penn Vet’s swine disease surveillance programs cover 1.29 million hogs on 547 farms, reducing the spread of disease. Nearly 300 dairy herds in Pennsylvania utilize Penn’s Dairy Analyzer computer program, increasing the amount of milk produced to between 23,000 to 32,000 pounds of milk (significantly higher than the 20,000-pound average), which is critical in a world with more mouths to feed and fewer animals to produce that food. Finally, the $10,000 annual subsidy provided to Pennsylvania students like me helps to reduce the average of $193,570 in debt faced by veterinarians upon graduation.
These are just a few examples. Let’s take the proper steps to ensure we have a safe and healthy food supply for all Pennsylvanians and that we continue to have the veterinarians needed to protect that food supply. Our legislators must restore Penn Vet’s 2017-18 funding in the state budget.
Sarah Gronsky
North Abington Township
