Changing to Meet Demands

Winthrop Vet Clinic

At 42 years of age, Dr. Josh Bowden ('09) has suddenly found himself as the senior partner in a four-partner, rural mixed animal practice in Winthrop, Iowa. "This shift is nothing new," he says. "Since 1998, the number of small animal veterinarians has been on the rise, with the number of farm animal veterinarians on the decline. The shortage is becoming more critical as many professionals approach retirement age and fewer students choose to purse large or mixed animal practice." Bowden a concerted effort to hire veterinarians that enjoyed the rural lifestyle. "We're always looking for associates," he said. "We've been searching and find it challenging to find anyone who wants the rural lifestyle we have here. We have determined that we must start mentoring and working with students in their first year of veterinary school or even earlier. We are concentrating on hometown students that already like the rural life and helping them through school."