Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine is preparing to launch its first food animal residency program in 2026, an initiative aimed at easing the nation’s growing shortage of food animal veterinarians and strengthening veterinary services across rural America. The program is being developed under the leadership of Jennifer Koziol, associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery, and is funded by a $250,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Veterinary Service Grant.
The shortage of veterinarians serving livestock-dependent regions has been a persistent concern among agricultural producers and policymakers. Fewer veterinarians in rural communities can lead to delayed animal care, reduced disease surveillance, and added strain on producers who rely on timely medical expertise to maintain herd health. Koziol emphasized the broader impact of these gaps, noting that “the lack of veterinary coverage in rural regions has far-reaching consequences, from diminished livestock health and welfare to threats against food security and community economic viability.” She added that the USDA-funded project “aligns with national strategic goals of supporting rural prosperity and ensuring a safe, nutritious food supply.”
Texas Tech’s residency program will recruit early-career veterinarians and provide advanced clinical and research training focused on cattle and other food animals. A central goal is to prepare participants not only as practitioners but also as future educators—a key need as veterinary schools nationwide report difficulty attracting and retaining qualified food animal faculty. By increasing the number of trained specialists who enter academia, the program aims to inspire more veterinary students to pursue careers in food animal, large animal or mixed animal practice, areas where shortages are most acute.
Guy Loneragan, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine, called the program a major step forward for both the university and the livestock sector. “This residency program is transformative for our school and the cattle industry,” Loneragan said. He noted that a milestone achievement for residents will be the opportunity to obtain diplomate status with the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, describing it as “a national recognition as an elite specialist in all things cattle.” According to Loneragan, residents will be positioned to “provide leadership to advance livestock health and protect the national interest in U.S. food production,” while the program itself “tremendously benefits the school, Texas Tech, our state and nation.”
Graduates are expected to become vital resources in rural and agricultural regions, bringing expertise in areas such as antimicrobial stewardship, disease control and One Health—a collaborative approach linking human, animal and environmental health. By building a stronger pipeline of food animal veterinarians and creating more opportunities for long-term career development, the initiative seeks to support rural economies and help safeguard the future of U.S. agriculture.
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