State University’s Pre-Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary
Technology making it the largest of these programs in Kentucky.
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky House today passed HB 400, a measure that would allow Murray State University to offer a veterinary practice degree.
LaneReport.com posted an original article Tuesday reporting that the proposal was gaining momentum. A Murray State feasibility study found that the commonwealth has a shortage of large animal veterinarians to support its equine and livestock sectors.
“As Chair of the House Agriculture committee and someone who’s experienced agriculture from the seat of a tractor, I make no secret of how proud I am of this industry,” said Rep. Richard Heath, HB 400’s primary sponsor. “However, despite these strengths, the Commonwealth is lacking a crucial component in our agricultural infrastructure: a veterinary school.”
The bill, HB 400, establishes the parameters for the program and simply allows Murray State to offer the program. Currently, there are 32 Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, none of which are located in the commonwealth due to current regulations. Kentucky has a long-standing agreement with Auburn University, who reserves 41 out of 164 seats for students from our state. In 2023 alone, almost four times that amount of Kentucky students applied for their program. Out of the Kentucky students who do graduate from a Veterinary Medicine program, only 68% return to the commonwealth to practice.
“As the horse capital of the world, it is only fitting that we give our students the capability to earn a degree they would otherwise have to go out of state to obtain,” added Representative Heath. “The waiting list to get into programs in surrounding states is quite long, and with a new option to keep our students in their home state, I believe both the equine industry as well as veterinary practices as a whole will be better served if this bill becomes law.”
HB 400 passed on a vote of 82-6 and has been sent to the Senate for consideration.
For more information about HB 400 and to track its legislative progress, visit the Kentucky General Assembly’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
