Black veterinarians and other veterinary specialists are underrepresented in the veterinary medicine field. A 2021 report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that 93.3% of veterinarians are white, while only 1.2% are Black or African American. If you have a passion for helping animals and want to help diversify the field to inspire future underrepresented veterinarians and other roles, check out these HBCU veterinary programs. 

Interested in exploring veterinary professions? Join us on 10/16/24 for a free webinar with Lashonda Geffrard, founder of Black Pet Business Network, to learn about the wide array of career opportunities within the pet and animal industry.

Delaware State University - Dover, Delaware

Delaware State University offers a Bachelor’s of Science in Pre-Veterinary Science within their Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. This program aims to prepare students for pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. Students will take courses covering animal health, nutrition, genetics, and biology. Aside from classwork, students can expect to receive professional development and research opportunities to prepare them for careers in veterinary medicine.

Fort Valley State University - Fort Valley, Georgia

Fort Valley State University currently offers Georgia's only four-year veterinary technology program. According to their website, a Bachelor’s of Science in Veterinary Technology is “designed to give students a broad-based background in basic sciences and veterinary disciplines.”  In addition, the program’s coursework helps students understand the tools and applications needed to succeed in a veterinary medicine career.

Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University - Tallahassee, Florida

Within Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University’s  College of Agricultural and Food Sciences (CAFS) is their Bachelor of Science in Animal Science with a Pre-Veterinary Science concentration. The Pre-Veterinary Science curriculum comprises coursework about “beef, goat, poultry, sheep, and swine production.” This program prepares students who plan to apply to a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. 

Tuskegee University - Tuskegee, Alabama

Tuskegee’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is the only HBCU in America with a veterinary medical professional program, educating over 70% of the country’s Black veterinarians. Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences, and Pathobiology are the three departments within CVM that offer programs related to veterinary medicine. In addition, Tuskegee offers a Summer Enrichment and Reinforcement Program (SERP) and VET-STEP Summer Program, which allows selected students to engage in a five-week program that exposes them to a career in veterinary medicine entails.

10/16/24 | Free Webinar
Exploring Career Paths in the Pet Industry: Beyond Traditional Roles

This workshop is designed to expand the horizons of anyone interested in the wide array of career opportunities within the pet and animal industry. We'll delve into both entrepreneurial and corporate career paths, emphasizing the potential for growth and innovation, especially for people of color. By highlighting the diverse roles and encouraging entrepreneurship, this workshop aims to inspire a new generation of professionals to enter and succeed in the pet care industry.

This workshop and attached services are covered by The HBCU Sponsorship for Professional Development.

About Lashonda Geffrard

The Black Pet Business Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering driven individuals in the pet and animal industry. Our mission is to equip them with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive in their careers and become influential leaders within the industry.