The Veterinary Specialist Faculty Shortage: It Is Not All About the Numbers

The current shortage of veterinary specialist faculty is compounded by ongoing demographic trends in the pet-owning community that are redefining the concept of high-quality pet healthcare on a cultural basis. To achieve effective teaching and learning in the context of this evolving standard of culturally appropriate veterinary care will require a paradigm shift in veterinary medical education. Accomplishing this shift will be more likely with enhanced representation among veterinary specialists so that the demographics of the specialist community more closely reflect the emerging demographics of the pet-owning community. In going forward, expanding the capacity of specialty training programs will be critical, as will enhancing the diversity of the veterinary specialty communities. Opportunities for positive impact exist at many points along the long and complex pathway to careers as a veterinary specialist, but active engagement of current specialists will be crucial to success.