Category Archives: Animal Health

Dechra Expands Commitment to Veterinary Student Education through AVMF Scholarships

In 2020, Dechra launched a University Team and selected the first set of student ambassadors. The Dechra University Team continues to focus on advancing veterinary student education, mentorship and wellness. Since then, the team has significantly increased access to education and resources for thousands of students through three key initiatives:

  1. National education webinars for veterinary students: Dechra hosts 3-4 webinars each semester on topics such as mental health, social media etiquette, contract negotiation, and NAVLE board prep that have supported 8,000+ students.
  2. The Dechra Student Ambassador Program has graduated 200+ student ambassadors since inception and has 57 students actively enrolled, including over 20 equine student ambassadors who focus on bringing equine educational activities to their peers. These students are studying veterinary medicine at 32 of the 35 colleges of veterinary medicine across the U.S. and Caribbean.
  3. Over the last year, Dechra has hosted over 60 educational events on veterinary college campuses around the country to provide education opportunities to 6,000+ students.

Most recently, Dechra is adding an exciting fourth component to expand their University Program by partnering with the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) to begin offering scholarships to veterinary students and veterinary technician students.

Students interested in internal medicine, dermatology, or equine lameness can apply for these scholarships in partnership with AVMF, equaling about $50,000 in total. Recipients will be announced in February 2025.

Hear From Dechra Student Ambassadors

“Being the Dechra Companion Animal Student Ambassador at Oregon State University for the past two years has been an enriching experience and has enabled me to engage with and represent my fellow classmates, build lasting connections with industry professionals and stay informed about new product developments. It was rewarding to be a part of spearheading new initiatives like the Joint Injection & Arthrocentesis Wet Lab that creates valuable learning opportunities and helps to shape the future of industry collaboration with the college.” – Irene Liang, Class of 2026, Oregon State University

“I cannot speak highly enough of my role as a Dechra Student Ambassador. I associated with Dechra because I wanted a window into the veterinary pharmaceutical industry, but my position quickly grew into so much more than that. Not only have I met dozens of incredible individuals throughout the company from around the world, but I’ve organized memorable wellness events and generous product donations to our veterinary and local community. The positive impacts have felt wonderful and helped me connect meaningfully with many great people.” –  Hannah Arnade, PhD, Class of 2026, University of Georgia.

To Learn More

  • To learn more about the Dechra scholarships for veterinary students through AVMF, click here.
  • To learn more about the Dechra scholarships for veterinary technician students through AVMF, click here.
  • To learn more about the Dechra University Program, including the Student Ambassador Program, reach out to Dr. Timothy Smaha- timothy.smaha@dechra.com

Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025

As we reflect on 2024, I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to our outgoing Chair, Matt Musselman, Chief Operating Officer of Farm Services at Dairy Farmers of America. His outstanding leadership has been an inspiration. The work we do as an organization is only possible because of the unwavering leadership of our Advisory Board and the dedication of volunteers who generously support us throughout the year.

As we prepare for another year of progress and innovation in the industry, I want to share my predicted key trends, challenges, and breakthroughs. Together, we can continue to drive the industry forward.

Feline Health: The Year of the Cat

I believe 2025 will mark the beginning of a transformative era for feline health. As a proud cat lover, I am thrilled by the promising new therapeutics, nutritional advancements, and investments in feline healthcare. The coming year will bring significant strides in feline-centric care, with a focus on improving the way we approach medical treatments, diagnostics, and overall wellness for cats. I foresee exciting innovations in clinics that will better address the unique needs of feline patients and their owners.

Technology: Revolutionizing the Industry

Technology is rapidly reshaping every facet of our industry, from veterinary clinics to farms and food animal production. Whether it’s improving research and development, enhancing feed conversion, advancing genetics, or optimizing track-and-trace systems, technology continues to play a pivotal role. In 2025, we can expect even more breakthroughs that will drive efficiency and productivity. As younger generations move into leadership and ownership roles at the clinic level and on the farm, we will see more rapid shifts in adoption of technology as these generations are digital natives. As the industry embraces these advancements, we will continue to see profound changes that shape our future.

Food Animal Innovation and Investment: An Ongoing Challenge

Despite the progress we’ve made, there remains a critical gap in innovation and investment in the food animal sector. While solutions may not always be immediate or easy, it is essential we come together as an industry to address this issue. Collaboration will be key to identifying new approaches and finding long-term solutions that benefit both animals and those who care for them.

Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Efficiency

Though AI is still in its infancy, I am confident it will continue to evolve rapidly, impacting organizations across multiple disciplines. From communication and marketing to customer service, AI promises to create new opportunities for businesses to streamline their processes. However, as AI grows, companies must prioritize employee training and establish clear policies to ensure its ethical and legal use, avoiding potential pitfalls as technology develops.

Addressing the Mid-Level Practitioner Gap

One of the most pressing issues facing our industry is the growing demand for veterinary services, which consistently exceeds our capacity to meet that need. Whether due to a shortage of rural veterinarians, a shift in the number of hours worked by existing professionals, or inefficiencies in clinic processes, the need for more accessible and timely care remains critical. In 2025, we must continue to explore innovative solutions to ensure pets and animals across the U.S. receive the care they need, without long wait times or the burden of traveling to distant clinics.

Rebranding Animal Health: Changing the Narrative

One of the greatest challenges facing our industry is its misunderstanding by the public. Many people still associate animal health careers solely with roles like veterinarians, shelter workers, and farmers. While these are vital, they represent only a small part of the diverse opportunities available within our industry. Companies are increasingly looking outside agricultural schools to find future talent. That’s why we’re excited to announce a unified branding campaign, set to launch at the 2025 Animal Health Summit in Kansas City, on August 25-26. This initiative will help shine a light on the broad and exciting career paths available in our industry, inspiring the next generation to join us in driving innovation and progress.

As we head into 2025, I invite you to reflect on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. What are the key trends you’re watching? What’s on your radar for innovation? How are you planning to navigate the challenges facing our industry?

I look forward to hearing from you as we embark on another exciting year of growth and progress!

Building a Future for Animal Health by Attracting the Next Generation of Talent

As we look ahead to 2025, the Animal Health Corridor is embarking on an exciting new initiative with our board, industry partners, and JNA Advertising. Together, we are developing a dynamic new brand for the animal health industry with one crucial goal in mind: to attract the next generation of talent.

When we speak to students, parents, educators, and counselors about animal health, the responses often focus on veterinarians, farmers, shelter workers, or zookeepers. While these are vital and rewarding career paths, they represent only a small fraction of the diverse and expansive opportunities available within our industry.

We must broaden this perception. To continue advancing, our industry needs the best and brightest minds. Animal health is at the forefront of global challenges like food security, a safe and sustainable food supply, and the health and well-being of our beloved pets. Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we share our story and craft a compelling brand that not only educates, but inspires, the next generation of professionals to help us tackle these complex global issues.

The opportunities within animal health extend far beyond traditional roles. As an industry, we must highlight exciting careers in manufacturing, technology, innovation, science, and entrepreneurship. We have a powerful story to tell—a story that must resonate with today’s youth. This means reaching high school students, college-aged individuals, and young professionals who are looking for meaningful work that can make a difference.

To achieve this, we need a unified effort from every corner of the industry. As we roll out our branding campaign, we’ll be providing tools, resources, and a clear call to action for all of us to use. Together, we can inspire young people to join an industry that offers limitless potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Let’s work together to tell our story, ignite passion, and build a future where the animal health industry thrives—empowered by the next generation of innovators, leaders, and change-makers.