Rowan University Launches New Jersey’s First Veterinary School

Rowan University has officially opened New Jersey’s first veterinary school, the Shreiber School for Veterinary Medicine, marking a significant milestone for the state’s agricultural community. The school aims to address the growing demand for veterinarians, particularly in South Jersey, where such services have been limited.

The inaugural class, comprising 75 students, began their studies in September 2023, but a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held recently to commemorate the completion of the new facility, which took 18 months to construct. This development comes as New Jersey faces a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, particularly in rural areas that struggle to maintain adequate animal healthcare services.

According to Aparna Zama, the undergraduate program director at Rutgers University’s Department of Animal Sciences, many aspiring veterinarians from New Jersey had previously sought education out of state. “You multiply 25 through the years … that’s how many students we’ve been sending out,” Zama stated, highlighting the trend of students attending veterinary programs at universities like Cornell and The Ohio State University. With the establishment of the Shreiber School, Zama believes that the situation is set to improve. “This is a very exciting development for our students, the parents and in general for the profession in New Jersey,” she added.

Edward D. Wengryn, New Jersey’s Secretary of Agriculture, emphasized the broader implications of the new school. He noted that it would not only help retain students in the state but also create opportunities in various sectors of animal healthcare. “Not just practices like on the corner vet services, but the technicians, the research side of this to make those innovations in animal healthcare that we’re looking for,” Wengryn remarked.

The need for veterinarians in rural areas is particularly pressing. Dr. Jennifer Quammen, president-elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association, pointed out that many regions, especially in South Jersey, are underserved. “Whether that is large animal, meaning like cattle, horses; that is an area we need,” she explained. “But even rural medicine for small animals … we need that as well.”

Historically, the absence of a veterinary school in New Jersey can be attributed to a decline in the state’s agriculture sector and the high costs associated with establishing such programs. Zama noted that creating a veterinary school is “a very expensive proposition” requiring significant resources and infrastructure.

In 2021, Rowan University announced plans to launch the school, supported by a $75 million commitment from the state and a $30 million donation from Gerald Shreiber, the chair of J&J Snack Foods and the school’s namesake. This financial backing has been critical for the development of the new facility.

Looking forward, the Shreiber School plans to accept up to 90 students annually. More than half of the inaugural class hails from New Jersey, allowing them to save significantly on tuition costs. In-state students will pay $37,500 per year, substantially less than the approximately $67,500 charged to out-of-state students at institutions like the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine.

The school’s facilities include a 50,000-square-foot teaching animal hospital, which will provide primary care, specialty care, and emergency services. Additionally, the school is committed to engaging with local communities by offering free clinics and spay/neuter procedures, as well as sending clinicians to work with large animals across South Jersey.

Local agricultural leaders have expressed enthusiasm for the new program. Amanda Coombs, president of Coombs Barnyard in Salem County, highlighted the potential for collaboration between the school and local farms. “I thought they might come out to farm camp and talk to my campers about becoming a veterinarian,” she said, emphasizing the importance of educating young people about animal care.

With the opening of the Shreiber School for Veterinary Medicine, New Jersey is poised to strengthen its veterinary profession and enhance the quality of animal healthcare in the region, providing new opportunities for both students and the community at large.