vet education

How to Go to Vet School and Become a Veterinarian

Compassion, resilience, good communication and self-care go a long way in veterinary education and the profession, experts say.

How to Get Into Vet School, Become a Vet

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Vets need to be adept at interacting with both humans and animals.

For those who love animals and enjoy science, a career as a veterinarian might be a good fit. These health care providers have doctorates in veterinary medicine, and their doctoral education includes lessons on how to care for a variety of nonhuman creatures ranging from household pets and farm animals to aquatic creatures and zoo animals.

"You get to learn about the large and small animals," says Dr. Jim Carlson, a veterinarian outside Chicago who provides conventional and alternative therapies to animals.

"That's unique to our profession, because we come out (of vet school) having a basic knowledge of all animals, from ants to elephants," says Carlson, adding that most of his patients are small animals like dogs and cats.

Dr. Tony DeMarco – a veterinarian who owns the Lee's Summit, Missouri, branch of GoodVets, a national network of animal hospitals – says one of the best aspects of being a vet is the broad variety of patients. "I might see a cute new family puppy first thing in the morning and then evaluate a sick cat for surgery," he wrote in an email.

Communication can be a challenge in the veterinary field, DeMarco notes.

"Veterinarians are often compared to pediatricians because our patients aren't able to talk to us," he says. "We often have to perform some detective work in collaboration with the owner to deduce a pet's problem from medical history, behavior, and symptoms."

Vets need to be adept at interacting with both humans and animals, says Dr. Becky Krull, a Wisconsin-based veterinarian and co-owner of a veterinary practice.

"I think loving animals is a given but what is often overlooked is that you must be a people person," Krull wrote in an email. "There is a person affiliated with every patient I have and that person is paying the bill! You need to be able to communicate effectively to educate and provide value to your services."

How to Get Into Vet School

To become a competitive veterinary school applicant, it is essential to take all of the prerequisite courses for your target school, experts say, and it's important to understand that different vet schools have different prerequisite requirements.

Dr. Robin Solomon, a licensed and practicing veterinarian in New York who wrote a chapter about the profession for the book, "Healthcare Heroes: The Medical Careers Guide," notes that to qualify for vet school, it's typically necessary to take undergraduate courses in advanced math, basic sciences like biology and chemistry, plus animal science.

The American Veterinary Medical Association notes in its admissions 101 guide for aspiring veterinarians that there is no particular college major that someone needs to pursue in order to qualify for vet school. The association suggests that vet school applicants highlight their experience with animals, as well as leadership and communication skills.

Solid grades are essential in order to be a competitive applicant, the association adds, with the caveat that vet schools don't expect a perfect GPA. "Although a 4.0 will certainly help you, it's not an absolute necessity," the association states.

Participation in 4-H, the National FFA Organization – formerly Future Farmers of America – and other similar organizations is "great experience" for vet school hopefuls, according to the association. So is volunteering at animal shelters or animal rescues, the association notes, adding that it's "very important" to either volunteer or work for a veterinarian.

"Not only does it expose you to your potential career (so you know what you're getting into, so to speak), but it also might provide a good recommendation for you from the veterinarian," the association states on its website. If you gain research lab experience or work with veterinarians who treat different species of animals, "that's a bonus that can make you more appealing to a veterinary school admissions committee," the association explains.

Dr. Brian Collins, a veterinarian on the faculty of the highly ranked Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in New York, says Cornell looks for a variety of traits when assessing applicants.

"Half of our admissions review is dedicated to making sure the applicant has the academic background to succeed in our curriculum," he wrote in an email, noting that the rest of the admissions process is designed to assess the applicant as an individual. "Scientific curiosity, compassion, empathy, resilience, demonstrated problem-solving skills and people-skills are additional characteristics we value and look for in an applicant."

Krull suggests that showcasing positive personality traits is one way to improve the odds of vet school acceptance.

"Some schools do personal interviews as well, so you must be charismatic and present yourself in a way that convinces them you are a good fit," she says. "Since burnout, compassion fatigue and suicide rates are rampantly on the rise in this profession, schools may also now be looking at students who have resilience, grit and the self-care needed to survive school and the profession."

Most vet schools require applicants to submit GRE General Test scores, and some also require a GRE Subject Test in biology. It is occasionally possible to submit scores from the MCAT medical school entrance exam instead of the GRE General Test, but that depends on a vet school's admissions policies.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges provides a free " Profile of Admitted Students " online tool that prospective vet students can use to find out what credentials are typical among accepted students at individual vet schools.

What to Expect in Vet School

Students enrolled in vet school will take an array of classes relevant to animal health, experts say.

"Within the veterinary school curriculum," Solomon wrote in an email, "classes include the anatomy and physiology of many species (cats, dogs, horses, cows and exotic species), nutrition, microbiology, infectious diseases, internal medicine and surgery. Elective courses are also offered in areas of aquatic and zoo animal medicine, conservation of endangered species, rehabilitation medicine and Eastern medicine such as acupuncture."

Krull describes the amount of material that vet students need to absorb as "astronomical," since students must gain an understanding of multiple species and learn about both male and female animals. "Being a veterinary student is extremely difficult but rewarding," she says.

Vet school involves not only science classes but also clinical skills training, experts say.

"Throughout, students must learn to diagnose and treat diseases in a wide range of species that go beyond dogs, cats, cows and horses, including birds and exotic pets such as reptiles and amphibians," Collins says.

Collins describes veterinary education as "a full-time job" and says students can expect to spend significant time in classes, labs and study sessions.

"Having said that, our students are involved in many extracurricular activities, most of which are clubs related to the veterinary profession," he says.

Steps to Take to Become a Vet

Experts on veterinary medical education emphasize that it is highly rigorous, but they say the vet school workload is manageable for hardworking, bright students.

Dr. Carmen Fuentealba, dean of the Long Island University College of Veterinary Medicine in New York, says students who have done well in college and high school should not fear vet school since they have already proven themselves academically.

"There is not going to be any reason why you shouldn't succeed when you go to vet school," she says.

Veterinary school typically lasts for four years and veterinary students usually have a bachelor's degree, which means that the journey into the veterinary profession is a long one. Aspiring vets can expect to devote about eight years to their higher education if they spend four years in college and four years in vet school earning a doctor of veterinary medicine, or D.V.M., degree.

Further, people who wish to specialize within a particular field of veterinary medicine such as surgery or pathology often seek extra training after vet school through veterinary internship and residency programs. For those individuals, over a decade of education after high school is typical.

"Advanced training programs such as internships and residencies are not required," Collins explains. "Residency programs allow veterinarians to receive advanced training and certification in a clinical discipline."

Successful completion of an internship is a prerequisite for most residency programs, Collins adds.

Although someone can become a vet without completing a veterinary internship or residency, he or she must have a license.

"Graduates of accredited U.S. veterinary colleges must be licensed in the state(s) in which they intend to practice, through an application process determined by that state," Collins says. "The most important requirements for licensure are successful completion of the veterinary degree and a passing score on the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination," or NAVLE, he adds.

Is Vet School Worth It?

The educational pathway to a veterinary career is not only lengthy and strenuous, it's also pricey.

According to the AVMA, the average educational debt among 2019 graduates of U.S. veterinary schools who found full-time employment prior to graduation was about $150,000. Their average entry-level starting salary was significantly less, slightly under $85,000.

Experts on the veterinary profession say that money is not typically the primary motivation for entering this field. "Money can be a touchy subject, especially since we work in a caring profession and generally prefer to tackle medical rather than financial challenges," DeMarco says.

"Honestly, the salary-to-debt ratio is poor," DeMarco says, but veterinarians "don’t usually enter the field because they expect it to be lucrative."

It's important for vet school hopefuls to understand that veterinarians typically earn far less than physicians. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for U.S veterinarians was $93,830 in May 2018 while it was $208,000 or more for physicians and surgeons within human medicine.

The BLS predicts that the number of U.S. veterinary jobs by 2028 will be 18% higher than in 2018. That is much better than the norm among U.S. professions, since the average projected growth rate across all fields is only 5%.

Dr. Katie Woodley, a Colorado-based general practice veterinarian who incorporates holistic treatment methods into her practice, says one of the advantages of the veterinary profession is that there are many types of jobs within the veterinary field. Vets, then, can choose the path that suits them.

The career path that most people imagine when they think of veterinarians is the role of a general practitioner who takes care of personal pets, Solomon says, but vets may treat small animals, food animals or exotic animals.

Additionally, although a majority of vets work in private practice, that isn't true for all vets. "Veterinarians can also be found in research, public health, the military and regulatory medicine (such as the CDC, EPA and FDA)," Solomon wrote in an email, referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration, respectively.

DeMarco says the job outlook for vets is positive. "There are many potential career paths, from small animal doctor to state health inspector, and from researcher to relief vet."

Plus, according to the AVMA, there are 22 types of veterinary specialists , vets who have pursued veterinary training beyond vet school, developed expertise within a particular area of veterinary medicine and passed an exam in that field.

For example, poultry veterinarians are experts on caring for turkeys, chickens and ducks, and theriogenologists concentrate on animal reproduction.

Though the veterinary field is diverse and includes many types of jobs, one thing that nearly every veterinary specialty shares in common is an abundance of intellectually demanding work. Krull notes that the veterinary field is a challenging one "with long hours, tough cases, lots to know."

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In summary, here are 10 of our most popular veterinary courses.

• EDIVET: Do you have what it takes to be a veterinarian? :   The University of Edinburgh
• Animal Behaviour and Welfare :   The University of Edinburgh
• Dog Emotion and Cognition :   Duke University
• The Truth About Cats and Dogs :   The University of Edinburgh
• Dairy Production and Management :   The Pennsylvania State University
• Equine Welfare and Management :   University of California, Davis
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• Dentistry 101 :   University of Michigan
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Frequently Asked Questions about Veterinary

What is veterinary science, and why is it important to learn ‎.

Veterinary Science is the study of the physical, cognitive, behavioral, and other areas of health in animals. In addition to traditional domesticated animals, Veterinary Science can be applied to zoo animals, livestock, and wild animals.

Typically, the main goal of an education in Veterinary Science is to prevent and treat disease in animals. Other purposes that a Veterinary Science education can serve include animal care, obedience training, veterinary assisting, and animal law enforcement.

One of the most important reasons to learn Veterinary Science is the innovative ways it can enhance general understanding of healthcare, clinical research, food safety, and disease prevention—even in humans! Veterinary research has a rich history of contributions to both animal and human wellbeing. ‎

What jobs can you get in Veterinary Science? ‎

Veterinary Science careers aren’t limited to the local vet’s office. There are professions directly related to the topic, such as Animal Nutritionist, Animal Physiotherapist, Veterinary Surgeon, and Veterinary Nurse, and there are roles where knowledge in Veterinary Science is highly useful. Those roles include Animal Technician, Ecologist, Environmental Consultant, Nature Conservation Officer, Research Scientist, Science Writer, Zookeeper, and others where the health and wellbeing of animals is the focus. ‎

How can online courses help you learn Veterinary Science? ‎

Online courses offered through Coursera cover a range of topics necessary for a Veterinary Science learner. Lectures, readings, videos, and other lessons provide information on animal care, animal anatomy, veterinary professional skills, veterinary clinical skills, and veterinary history.

Diving further into Veterinary Science from the animals’ perspectives, courses discuss animal behavior, animal welfare, and the issues faced by animals of all levels of domesticity. Entire courses on specific animals are available as well, including horses, cats, and dogs. ‎

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn about the veterinary field? ‎

Though not necessary, experience with animals is very helpful if you're interested in studying the veterinary field. This could mean you've had pets in the past, worked on a farm, worked in a veterinary clinic, or volunteered with a rescue or animal shelter. This gives you a general idea of what it's like to work with animals and what sort of behaviors to expect. A background in science can also be helpful when studying in this field. Veterinary science studies may include topics like animal biology, anatomy, physiology, and various branches of medicine, like epidemiology, neurology, and immunology. Even some psychology experience could be helpful. ‎

What kind of people are best suited for roles in the veterinary field? ‎

People who like animals and have a desire to help them are best suited for the veterinary field. You'll need to be compassionate towards animals who are sick or injured, as well as the animal owners who may be having a hard time handling a pet's situation. You'll need to be detail-oriented and a good problem solver. If an animal is suffering from an illness or injury you aren't familiar with, you'll need to take steps to figure it out. Those who work in the veterinary field should also be quick on their feet. Oftentimes, you'll encounter emergency care situations that require immediate attention with little time to think about what comes next. ‎

How do I know if learning the veterinary field is right for me? ‎

The veterinary field could be the right fit for you if you've always enjoyed working with animals. Many people who work in veterinary roles have had a lifelong passion for helping animals in need, whether they were picking up stray dogs and cats on the side of the road or helping out on a relative's farm. Learning more about the veterinary field along with gaining some hands-on experience in a clinical setting, in an animal shelter, on a ranch, or on a farm is a great way to determine if you're interested in taking the next steps professionally. ‎

What are the benefits of taking an online Veterinary course? ‎

Online Veterinary courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Veterinary skills. Choose from a wide range of Veterinary courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels. ‎

What Veterinary courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce? ‎

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Veterinary, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here . ‎

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In addition to developing online courses and programs for veterinary professionals, the Educational Support Services team at the College of Veterinary Medicine also hosts accredited continuing education events for licensed veterinarians and veterinary technicians.

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Breaking Down Veterinary Education Requirements

If you have your sights set on getting into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program, there are plenty of things you can be doing now to prepare. The path to becoming a veterinarian begins before vet school, so it’s important to stay organized as you begin to think about everything you’ll need to include in your applications.

Read on for a brief overview of the veterinary education requirements you should be working toward as a pre-vet student.

Core vet school requirements all veterinary hopefuls should know

If you’re lucky enough to find yourself enrolled at an undergraduate institution with a pre-veterinary track, you’ve likely been able to receive some clear-cut guidance on the veterinary education requirements you should be taking care of before applying to vet school.

But if you don’t have the assistance of a pre-vet counselor, you likely have questions. What courses are required for vet school? What other veterinary education requirements are there?

Consider this your simplified breakdown of the two core requirements you’ll be expected to meet.

Vet school prerequisite courses

Specific requirements may differ from one program to the next, but most vet schools expect applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. While your undergraduate major isn’t important, you do want to make sure you’ve completed all the necessary veterinary school prerequisites .

Required coursework will vary depending on the programs you apply to, but you can look into specifics using the Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements (VMSAR) directory. In general, you can expect to complete a number of different science courses, such as biology, chemistry, and physics. Many programs also require mathematics, English, and humanities classes.

It’s also worth noting that some schools have minimum grade requirements, both for your science GPA and your overall GPA. Even the schools that aren’t as specific still have averages to consider. St. George’s University (SGU), for example, has an average cumulative GPA of 3.26 and an average science GPA of 3.14.*

Animal and veterinary experience

In addition to academic requirements, DVM programs also look for applicants who have amassed some animal and veterinary experience—and it’s important to note that there is a distinct difference between the two.

Animal experience generally refers to working around animals in a non-medical fashion while veterinary experience must take place under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian. Examples of the former include things like working at dog kennels or horse stables. The latter would include working in a clinic alongside a small animal vet or participating in veterinary research efforts .

Animal experience is certainly helpful, but veterinary experience is often prioritized. Programs may or may not specify how many hours of veterinary experience, but the average expectation is that they fall within the range of 500–1,000 hours.

Apply to vet school with confidence

As you continue down the path to becoming a veterinarian, you’re now better equipped to understand the veterinary education requirements you’ll need to complete if you want to get into a high-quality DVM program. That said, there are still a few more application components you’ll need to prepare for.

Learn more about what to expect with our article “ Vet School Applications: Everything You Need to Know About VMCAS .”

*Institutional data based on previous six terms (as of July 2022).

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Zoetis Foundation Champions Global Veterinarian Education, Well-being, and Livelihoods on World Veterinary Day and Beyond

As we celebrate World Veterinary Day, the Zoetis Foundation is proud to support veterinarians around the world today and everyday by providing grant support to initiatives promoting veterinary education, mental well-being, and livelihoods. Recognizing the invaluable role veterinarians and veterinary technicians play in advancing animal health, the Foundation is committed to helping cultivate a thriving, inclusive veterinary profession.

“By investing in veterinary education, mental health resources and capacity-building, we can support the well-being of the veterinarians our communities depend on and help ensure the profession is well-equipped to meet the growing needs of today and in the future,” said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, President of the Zoetis Foundation and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Zoetis. “The Zoetis Foundation is honored to continue our commitment to advancing opportunities for veterinarians around the world.”

To date, the Zoetis Foundation has committed $18.7 million to advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers worldwide, fund humanitarian relief efforts and support colleague matching gifts. Key grantees supporting veterinarians include the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, and the World Food Program.

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)

In the United States, scholarship funding to the AAVMC helps prepare a diverse, global community of future veterinary leaders with the knowledge, tools and experiences they’ll need to succeed. Specifically, the Foundation provides grant support to fund the Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Dr. Catherine A. Knupp Scholarship and the Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. From 2021 to 2023, the Zoetis Foundation disbursed $4.4 million in funding to support the Veterinary Student Scholarship Program—impacting 800+ students.

“As a first-generation Hispanic woman and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, this financial assistance holds profound significance. It symbolizes more than just monetary support; it signifies acknowledgement and encouragement to pursue my dreams despite the obstacles I may encounter along the way,” said Rebekah Morgan, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine DVM Candidate and Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship recipient.

Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE)

Across Europe, the Foundation provides grant support to FVE to help promote mental well-being and DEI in veterinary workplaces. Through high-quality and easily accessible resources, guidance, and coaching, FVE empowers workplaces to meet the pressing challenges of veterinary mental well-being and DEI as it relates to staff retention, business operations, and providing quality service. Taking a two-prong approach, FVE will develop and disseminate high-quality, free resources including courses on mental well-being and DEI and offer access to a network of reputable coaches and mentors for early career veterinarians.

"Cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment within veterinary workplaces is essential for the well-being of both professionals and the animals they serve,” says Siegfried Moder, FVE President. “We are grateful for the support of the Zoetis Foundation, which will allow us to build online tools to foster thriving workplaces that prioritize mental well-being, champion inclusion for underrepresented groups, and ensure the delivery of exceptional care."

World Food Program USA

In Kenya and Ethiopia, the Zoetis Foundation provides grant funding to deliver financial and veterinary services to help build resilience among livestock farmers in support of the United Nations World Food Programme’s mission to fight hunger. In an area where over 10 million farmers are at risk of severe food insecurity and poverty, this funding helps empower an estimated 350 veterinary service providers to increase access to quality animal healthcare and productivity resources — ultimately helping to build a thriving farmers community and strengthening the economic security of the region. To date, the program has reached over 43,000 farmers and provided crucial veterinary services to nearly 55,000 animals.

"As a veterinary officer in Kenya, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of funding focused on access to veterinary services and livestock insurance,” said John Koske, Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Livestock and Pastoral Economy, based in Isiolo County, Kenya. “I am grateful for the support provided by this program as it not only benefits the animals but also empowers pastoralists to secure their livelihoods and build resilience against economic shocks.”

To learn more about the Zoetis Foundation and its grantees, visit the website . Announced in 2021, the Zoetis Foundation is committed to its goal of $35 million in grants distributed by the end of 2025 to advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Zoetis Foundation is a private charitable organization and is solely funded by Zoetis Inc. , with distinct legal requirements and restrictions.

About the Zoetis Foundation

The Zoetis Foundation supports communities and the people who care for animals, with a specific focus on advancing opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic efforts provide access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and enable thriving livelihoods by funding programs that help veterinary practices and farmers adopt sustainable business practices. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit: www.zoetisfoundation.org .

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Celebrating six decades of nurturing veterinary talent

As the institution for veterinary education in Aotearoa New Zealand, we are proud to celebrate World Veterinary Day by shining a spotlight on the enduring legacy of Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science .

Then and now: Bernard Chambers Building in 1954 and the Student Learning Complex taken during the 2022 opening.

In 1963, the inaugural class of 32 veterinary students began their studies in the Bernard Chambers Vet Clinic and World War II army mess huts, originally intended to provide veterinary services to Massey University farms. Within five years, 21 vet students graduated as the country’s first home-grown veterinarians.

Since then, Massey has produced 4,465 Bachelor of Veterinary Science graduates, dedicated to enhancing animal welfare locally and globally. This number continues to grow, with class sizes recently increasing by 25 per cent.

While much has changed over the past six decades, a commitment to excellence remains. The School of Veterinary Science provides a world-class education through state-of-the-art facilities, integral hands-on learning experiences and passionate teaching staff. This has been recognised internationally with the veterinary science programme ranking 21st globally in the 2024 QS World University Ranking and standing as the highest-ranked veterinary school in Australasia .

Head of Tāwharau Ora School of Veterinary Science Professor Jon Huxley says the School is continually evolving to meet the needs and challenges of the veterinary profession.

“For over six decades, our School has remained focused on delivering excellence in education, research and clinical practice. Our goal is to ensure our graduates are equipped to make meaningful impacts in the field of veterinary science. The dynamic landscape of veterinary medicine underscores our responsibility to thoroughly prepare veterinary graduates by fostering their adaptability, critical thinking and lifelong learning skills. The veterinary profession within New Zealand depends on our emerging graduates being ready to effectively address challenges and opportunities in animal health, welfare and conservation.”

Enhancing the learning environment

In 1994, the Large Animal Teaching Unit (LATU) opened, hosting 40 hectares of grazing land and facilities to train Massey vet students in aspects of large animal handling and examination across a range of species. It remains an important fixture within the School, having undergone several upgrades including the addition of a lecture room and a sheep teaching facility.

The small working farm attached to the LATU is home to horses, cows, sheep, alpaca and pigs. Across all five years of the degree, veterinary students spend time in the LATU working on various skills to increase their expertise and deepen their understanding of animal welfare. Strict ethics ensure the animals lead long, productive lives while also providing invaluable learning opportunities.

In recent years, the Tāwharau Ora building upgrade programme has been underway, which sees exciting upgrades and expansions to existing spaces to support the learning of veterinary students and animal health and welfare throughout the farming community. The veterinary science complex received a gold award at the New Zealand Commercial Projects Awards in 2023, recognising the extensive efforts invested into the new facilities being the perfect fit for their intended use.

The pathology suite, which opened in 2021, offers world class facilities, including a spacious open-plan post-mortem area, preparation and storage facilities and walk-in fridges and freezers. Teaching can be conducted within the laboratory as well as from the large glass-fronted viewing gallery.

In 2022, the Student Learning Complex was officially opened, containing two large learning spaces, a modern foyer and seating areas for students to provide high-quality, fit-for-purpose facilities. The dry teaching studio provides an open-plan, flexible learning environment for teaching and practicing necessary clinical skills, while the wet laboratory is specifically designed to support students learning anatomy.

The farm animal hospital , also opened in 2022, contains the university’s first dedicated facility to care for farm and production animals. Equipped with a small surgery suite and animal stalls suitable for various farm animals, the hospital is complemented by a range of supporting spaces.

Currently, construction is underway for the Ngā Huia building, the latest project in development. The second floor will house research laboratory spaces for vet staff, alongside office accommodations for staff, technicians and post-graduate research students. On the first floor, vet students will have access to lockers, changing rooms, study and relaxation areas, as well as facilities for food preparation. The project is set to be completed in the second half of 2025.

Artistic impression of the Ngā Huia building set to be completed in the second half of 2025.

Creating pathways for diversity and change

The creation of the Veterinary Māori and Pacific (VetMAP) student pathway is rooted in research efforts by Professor Eloise Jillings, Ngāti Māru ki Hauraki, addressing indigenous access to veterinary education. The initiative ensures student success through academic, cultural and pastoral support from application to completion of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree.

Since the implementation of VetMAP, Dr Jillings says the holistic wraparound programme of support has already delivered results.

“Triple the number of Māori and Pacific indigenous students are now meeting the standards to get into vet school, which is important as inclusion, equity and representation of the breadth of our society is crucial to a healthy veterinary industry. Continuing to support our Māori and Pacific students to reach their goals to become veterinarians enables the profession to benefit from the inclusion of Māori and Pacific worldviews.”

The School remains committed to upholding the ‘Three Rs’ of animal welfare: replacement, reduction and refinement. Continuous enhancement to spaces like the LATU and clinical skills facilities aim to optimise animal handling and housing, as well as finding alternative teaching methods to ensure high quality learning while also prioritising animal wellbeing.

Furthering this work, Senior Technician Neil Ward and his colleagues from Information Technology Services were honoured with their second Aotearoa New Zealand John Schofield 3Rs Award in 2023 . The team were recognised for their development of an innovative web-based database application which creates a pathway for teachers and researchers to share samples for use in research, testing and teaching.

For animals, community and the environment

In addition to research and teaching, the School has fostered additional ways to support the community through looking after the wellbeing of pets and wildlife alike.

Established in 2010, Massey University Veterinary Emergency Response Team (MUVERT) are one of the first veterinary emergency response team in Australasia. Comprised of dedicated volunteer staff, MUVERT specialises in technical animal rescue to address animal emergencies. They provide on-site veterinary treatment and disaster assessment, responding to requests for assistance by members of the public, local vets, animal groups, emergency services and the Ministry of Primary Industries. MUVERT provided support during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, 2017 Edgecumbe Flood, 2019 forest fires in Nelson and in Hawke’s Bay following Cyclone Gabrielle .

Within the School is also the Wildbase Oiled Wildlife Response team who focus on mitigating the impact of oil pollution on wildlife. Through research, education and hands-on leadership, they strive to enhance oiled wildlife response capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region. The team coordinates New Zealand’s National Oiled Wildlife Response Team and were front-line responders during the Rena oil spill .

The Wildbase Hospital has been caring for New Zealand’s rare and endangered wildlife since being established in 2002, treating almost 7000 native wildlife patients .

Their ongoing mission is to provide essential treatment and support to sick and injured native wildlife, while providing scientific and research services and lending their expertise to conservation programmes. Notable achievements within their 21 years of service include a world-first brain surgery on a young kākāpō chick , providing optometrist support for a ruru with a head injury and helping a kiwi chick be successfully removed from its shell after hatching complications.

A continuing legacy

Over its 60-year history, the School of Veterinary Science hosts a rich and unique legacy , but the goal remains the same: to continue shaping a promising future for animal health, wellbeing and sustainable production by nurturing the next generation of bright minds to strengthen the veterinary field.

To all current and aspiring professionals in the veterinary field, we thank you for your dedication and hard work and wish you a happy World Veterinary Day!

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Veterinary students voice concerns over duty hours

Veterinary college is an intensive time, where students not only put in hours studying for examinations, but also spend a lot of time in the clinics to get as much direct hands-on experience as possible. But is, or should, there be limits? How much is too much?

In August 2023, a group of veterinary students and recent graduates from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) wrote a letter to their administration alleging the school routinely broke duty hour guidance from the Student AVMA (SAVMA).

According to a January 30 article in the Daily Pennsylvanian , many students were working more than 100 hours a week. They say the hours affected their own health and the level of care they could provide for patients. 

A year earlier, veterinary students at Iowa State University voiced similar concerns about working conditions in an article by the student newspaper, Iowa State Daily .

Then and now

Duty hours generally refer to clinical rotations for final-year veterinary students. This time is, for some, the first long-term exposure to the clinical setting during veterinary college. It can be challenging for students as they adapt to new tasks and settings along with a significant shift in teaching and learning methods.

Veterinary students' duty hours have varied by time and college; however, there has been a history of expecting students to put in long, hard hours, explained Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a professor in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

“Clinicians tend to follow historical trends in what is expected from students,” she said. “Mentors who put in long workdays and work weeks in their academic journeys and professional lives expect the same from the students.”

Dr. Beaver continued, “In the past, a clinician usually showed compassion for an individual student who needed help, but an emphasis on personal wellbeing as applied to students as a whole is newly emerging. ‘Suck it up and do the job’ is gradually giving way to more realistic and balanced expectations.”

A study published online this February in the Journal of Veterinary Medical Education (JVME) examined stressors and stress levels experienced by veterinary students at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria, during their clinical training.

The primary source of stress for the veterinary students was related to intense workload and long working hours. That was true across all four unique stress profiles of the veterinary students studied: the generally stressed group, responsibilities uncertainty group, overtasked group, and unstressed group.

“Generally, some groups of students seem to not struggle at all and thus not require any support, while certain groups of students who experience higher levels of stress may require more frequent and intensive support,” the authors wrote. “In particular, the present results suggest the need for interventions targeting highly stressed students and broad measures to reduce heavy workloads. Concrete measures could include time management trainings to provide students with practical strategies and skills to effectively manage their workload during clinical training.”

Remembering his experiences in veterinary school, Dr. Andrew T. Maccabe, CEO of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), said, “We worked hard, but maybe it wasn't the healthiest thing for us or our patients. Maybe we can learn a little bit about the importance of having time to regroup and avoiding unnecessary stress and burnout.” 

Setting standards for veterinary colleges

“The overall goal is to establish an environment and a culture that is conducive to learning,” Dr. Maccabe added. “If students are overworked, they get stressed out. They don't learn and it leads to burnout.”

Veterinary schools are not required to follow SAVMA’s Duty Hours Guidelines , which suggest that students not work more than 80 hours a week, not work more than 24 consecutive hours in continuous on-site duty, and be provided with breaks when they are on call.

Similarly, the AAVMC’s Guidelines for Veterinary Intern & Resident Wellbeing , which recommend a limit on duty hours to 60 hours averaged over four weeks, are voluntary for veterinary colleges’ intern and resident programs. The AAVMC does not have guidelines for veterinary student duty hours.

Dr. Maccabe explained that one challenge with the idea of a national standard is that each veterinary school has different needs and operates in different environments with certain limitations.

“I think if we get too prescriptive with guidelines, then it's kind of a one-size-fits-all approach and that's not always appropriate,” Dr. Maccabe said. “Individual schools need to be responsive to all of their stakeholders and balance all the equities that are involved.”

All training environments should foster a culture that is beneficial to learning, he said. Managing the facility and the role of veterinary students, staff, faculty, interns, and residents is the responsibility of the institutions. However, that doesn’t mean that veterinary students aren’t allowed a say.

“I think that students at every institution can and should work with their administration and their colleges to see how best to set their own standards,” Dr. Maccabe added.

Penn Vet response

Penn Vet told AVMA News in a statement that veterinary students routinely work between 40 and 80 hours, aligning with SAVMA guidelines, citing data collected from clinical rotation leaders, along with reports from student logs. However, “Penn Vet recognizes that students may exceed 80 hours, especially during clinical rotations with high caseloads or if students are called in for emergency cases,” Penn Vet Chief Communications Officer Martin Hackett wrote.

He continued, “We have intensified our efforts to identify and address when students approach these limits. And we have moved to a proactive posture of increasing time off after on-call procedures, leveling case distribution, and making sure students are indeed taking breaks. This ensures that their in-clinics time is appropriate and serves their educational needs.”

In addition, Hackett said, Penn Vet has an embedded social work team consisting of a full-time social worker, a part-time social worker, a student counseling therapist, a social work graduate intern, and a master’s level social work volunteer.

The social work team created a wellbeing curriculum and organizes debriefing groups for students, house officers, faculty, and employees to support them when confronted with challenges as veterinary professionals.

Penn Vet spearheaded the Philadelphia ER Coalition for patient diversion in response to the high caseload stress. Controlling the caseload gives Penn Vet a mechanism to maintain an ideal teaching caseload while protecting the wellbeing of employees and students.

Finally, Penn Vet has hired a full-time nursing staff recruiter to address shortages.

Human medicine training

“It is important to acknowledge that across all health professions there is a tension between once-acceptable clinical training demands and trainee well-being; this is far from a unique issue to veterinary medicine,” Penn Vet’s Hackett wrote in a statement to AVMA News.

In human medicine, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) standards broadly state that medical schools should monitor students' time spent in academic activities. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) doesn’t provide guidance regarding duty hours in medical education.

In contrast, resident physician duty hours are closely regulated. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) developed a set of required duty hours regulations in 2003 for residents. It mandates a maximum 80-hour work week—averaged over a four-week period—along with regulations addressing shift length and time off from clinical duties. Since then, many medical schools adopted similar guidelines for their students.

In 2017, the ACGME’s Common Program Requirements underwent substantial revisions to provide greater flexibility for programs to structure their clinical education while keeping the 80-hour limit.

“Clinical and educational work hours represent only one part of the larger issue of conditions of the learning and working environment,” according to the document’s background, adding that the document was expanded to pay greater attention to patient safety and resident and faculty member well-being.

The document also states: “Ensuring that flexibility is used in an appropriate manner is a shared responsibility of the program and residents. With this flexibility comes a responsibility for residents and faculty members to recognize the need to hand off care of a patient to another provider when a resident is too fatigued to provide safe, high-quality care and for programs to ensure that residents remain within the 80-hour maximum weekly limit.”

Notably, in the revised requirements, the term “clinical experience and education” replaces the term “duty hours” in response to concerns that the previous use of the term “duty” in reference to number of hours worked may have led some to conclude that residents’ duty to “clock out” on time superseded their duty to their patients.

Balancing academics and health

For veterinary schools, too, finding a balance between providing excellent patient care as well as enough clinical experience for veterinary students to gain the necessary skills while also supporting their wellness is challenging.

“We know there will be discomfort during the training process. Even within the guidelines for duty hours that Penn Vet has been working with for years, it is important to acknowledge the rigors of medical education and training to achieve optimal patient safety and outcomes. The hours spent during a veterinary student's clinical year are demanding and can be stressful,” Hackett said.

At the same time, more veterinary colleges are putting greater emphasis on student wellbeing, from hiring mental health professionals to providing programming to develop the individual and community wellbeing of their institution’s students, staff members, residents and interns, faculty, and leadership.

Some of the impetus is from veterinary students themselves. The SAVMA Wellbeing Committee was created in response to veterinary student mental health concerns such as high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression.

The committee promotes student physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing at veterinary schools by encouraging chapters to become involved in student wellbeing initiatives at their respective schools and colleges. SAVMA created a new position last year, wellbeing officer, to help carry out the committee mission.  

Tara Fellows Barron , SAVMA president, said one of her platforms as president-elect was amending the SAVMA Duty Hours Guidelines, which were first introduced in 2011 and last revised in 2019. She told AVMA News that while she respects the hard work of earlier generations of veterinary students, she recognizes today that students nationwide are communicating the need for more balanced schedules.

Student wellbeing resources from AVMA

• Wellbeing assessment
• Self-care tips
• Suicide prevention training

Related content

SAVMA revises duty-hour guidelines

Waking up to fatigue in the veterinary clinic

Prioritizing well-being at the institutional level

AAVMC sessions highlight student anxiety, the overvaluing of resiliency

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Georgia State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

100% state benefits – georgia.

Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/georgia-state-veterans-benefits.html

Visit the Georgia Department of Veterans Services website for more detailed information: https://veterans.georgia.gov/

For Local Assistance:

GDVS Veterans Field Service Offices provide direct assistance to veterans. Veterans seeking assistance with their benefits can find contact information for their local office on our list of Veterans Field Service Offices.

The GDVS central office is located at:

Floyd Veterans Memorial Building

Suite E-970

Atlanta, Georgia 30334-4800 404-656-2300

[email protected]

Veterans Homes

For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm

Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.

Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.

Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.

Veterans Homes Locations:

• GEORGIA WAR VETERANS HOME MILLEDGEVILLE, GEORGIA
• GEORGIA WAR VETERANS NURSING HOME AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

Admission is open to honorably discharged Georgia veterans with service during wartime.

A nominal daily fee is charged. Eligible veterans may apply for the federal Aid & Attendance benefit to help offset this fee. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher or whose admission is due to a service-connected condition do not have to pay the fee, as this care and treatment is paid in full by VA.

State Veterans’ Cemeteries

For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/state.asp?STATE=GA

National Veterans Cemeteries:

State Veterans Cemeteries:

Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states.

Georgia Veterans Financial Benefits

Exemption from homestead tax.

Visit the following website for more information: https://veterans.georgia.gov/disabled-veteran-homestead-tax-exemption

Any qualifying disabled veteran may be granted an exemption of $50,000 plus an additional sum from paying property taxes for county, municipal, and school purposes.

The additional sum is determined according to an index rate set by United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The amount for 2020 is $98,492. The value of the property in excess of this exemption remains taxable.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:

• VA-rated 100 percent permanent and totally disabled
• VA-rated less than 100 percent disabled but entitled as 100 percent rate due to unemployability
• Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet
• Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands
• Loss of sight in one or both eyes
• Permanent impairment of both eyes *
• Surviving, un-remarried spouses of qualified deceased veterans
• Surviving minor children of qualified deceased veterans

Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions.

Annual refiling is often required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link: https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Ad Valorem Tax on Vehicles

No ad valorem tax on vehicles for permanently and totally disabled veterans or those getting VA disability for loss of vision or limbs.

This exemption applies to either the annual property tax or the title tax, whichever is applicable.

Eligibility:

• 100 percent totally and permanently service-connected disabled
• (1) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet;
• (2) loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands;
• (3) loss of sight in one or both eyes; or
• (4) permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to a prescribed degree.

The exemption is granted on ONLY one vehicle the veteran owns and upon which the free Disabled Veteran (DV) license plate is attached. Veterans who qualify for the Purple Heart or Medal of Honor specialty license plates are also exempt.

For more information on vehicle tax exemptions, contact your local County Tax Office.

Disabled Veteran License Plate

Visit the following website for more information: https://veterans.georgia.gov/license-plates-disabled-veteran

A motorcycle version of this plate is available.

Note: This license plate is not issued for motor homes.

Available to:

Honorably discharged Georgia veterans considered disabled by any of these criteria:

• VA-rated 100 percent totally disabled
• VA-rated less than 100 percent disabled but paid at the 100 percent rate due to unemployability

How to Apply:

Qualified veterans who obtain a VA entitlement letter indicating the specific disability may apply directly with the Department of Revenue’s Special Tag Unit. Call 404-968-3880 for more information.

Alternatively, qualified veterans may obtain a certified statement from an authorized physician and take it to a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office along with discharge paperwork or proof of active-duty service and verification of residency.

There is no registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee for this plate.

Veterans with a 100 percent service-connected disability rating are exempt from ad valorem taxes on one vehicle. (See the Ad Valorem section above.)

If a Disabled Veteran license plate is properly displayed, the veteran is authorized to park in parking areas designated for persons with disabilities. (No additional parking permit is required.)

Sales Tax Exemption for Vehicle Purchase/Adaptation

A disabled veteran who receives a VA grant for the purchase and special adapting of a vehicle is exempt from paying the state sales tax on the vehicle (only on the original grant).

Free Drivers License

For more information and access to the application, visit the following website: https://dds.georgia.gov/military-veterans-and-national-guard

• Honorably discharged Georgia veterans can get a free drivers license. A member or former member of the National Guard with 20 or more years of creditable service also qualifies.
• Any member of the Georgia National Guard or Reserve who is in good standing and has completed at least one year of satisfactory service is eligible for a free National Guard Driver’s License.
• The spouse of a qualified veteran, whose disabilities preclude operating a motor vehicle, is eligible for a free honorary driver’s license. To qualify, a veteran must meet the same residence and qualifying service terms for a free veteran’s driver’s license. The surviving un-remarried spouse of an eligible deceased veteran is also eligible for a free honorary driver’s license. To qualify, you must meet the same residence and qualifying service terms for a free veteran’s driver’s license.

How to apply:

the applying veteran must take their DD Form 214 and proof of residency to a GDVS Veterans Field Service Office for verification.

The veteran must then take:

• completed Certificate of Eligibility (DS-516)
• all required identifying documents (birth certificate or passport; Social Security card; two documents showing residential address; and, if applicable, name change documentation)

Take Documents to a Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) office. A DDS representative will administer a vision exam, verify the veteran’s eligibility, and issue a veteran’s driver’s license.

No Fee License Plates and Special Category License Plates

Visit the following website for more information: https://dor.georgia.gov/motor-vehicles

Georgia offers multiple Veteran’s License Plates with no Registration fee, manufacturing fee, or annual fee. Applicants are entitled to a second plate for a manufacturing fee of $25 and an annual fee. Fees and eligibility differ for some of the plates listed below.

As far as I can tell, these plates DO NOT carry the handicapped parking designation and DO NOT require a physician’s statement.

A full list and eligibility requirements are available at the following website: https://veterans.georgia.gov/license-plates

Here is a brief list of the available plates:

• Veteran’s License Plate
• Woman Veteran’s License Plate
• Retired Military License Plate
• Commemorative Service License Plate
• Military Medal Award License Plate
• Reserve Component License Plate
• Special Category License Plates
• Chosin Reservoir Campaign of 1950 (Some additional fees included)
• Gold Star License Plate
• National Guard License Plate
• Pear Harbor Survivor License Plate
• Former Prisoner of War License Plate

Specialty veterans license plates are available for motorcycles as well.

To apply for any of these plates, it is necessary to complete Form MV-9W available at the following website: https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/forms

Keep in mind that many of these no fee plates are available to Surviving, unremarried spouses as well.

Parking for Disabled Veterans

Georgia veterans employment benefits, veterans employment preference.

More information is available at the following website: https://dol.georgia.gov/veterans-employment-rights

A 5-point credit is given to war veterans seeking state employment. A 10-point credit is given to those with a VA service-connected disability of 10% or more.

Business Certificate of Exemption

Georgia veterans are eligible for a certificate granting exemption from any occupation tax, administrative fee, or regulatory fee imposed by local governments for peddling, conducting a business, or practicing a profession or semi-profession for a period of ten years. This applies to veterans with a VA disability of at least 10% and an honorable discharge.

Veterans should contact the GDVS Atlanta field office to begin their application and provide a copy of their DD Form 214 and a VA “Summary of Benefits” letter. Once verified, veterans should take their application to their local County Probate Court Office. The County Probate Court Office will issue a notarized letter confirming eligibility and send the letter to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Firefighter Qualification

Military firefighter training is accepted as required basic training for full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters, including airport firefighters.

Georgia Veteran Recreation Benefits

Hunting and fishing licenses for permanently & totally disabled veterans.

Visit the following website for more information: https://georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes/disability

Veterans rated permanently and totally disabled by the VA or DOD are eligible for a discounted sportsman’s license.

Discounted disability hunting and fishing licenses are available to residents of Georgia. This license type cannot be obtained or renewed online—you will need to complete the application form and mail it with supporting documents to the address on the form. If you require application review accommodations, please call 1-800-366-2661.

Link to Application form: https://georgiawildlife.com/sites/default/files/wrd/pdf/license-applications/Disability%20License%20Application.pdf

Individuals are strongly encouraged to consider purchasing three-year disability license types, rather than annual types. Renewal of the annual license requires submitting documents each year dated with the past year to show continued disability, versus once for the three-year license. Payment of transaction fees each year for the annual license types means that persons pay an extra $6 over a three-year period—the three-year license will save $6 over the three year period and doesn’t require yearly paperwork.

Reduced State Park Admission Fees for Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans who are Georgia residents AND present a Certificate of Eligibility card are entitled to a 25% discount on:

• Annual Park Passes
• Friends Memberships
• Individual accommodations
• Recreation fees such as mini-golf and boat rental, golf fees
• Historic site admission

When making online reservations, the full fee will be charged to your credit card. Upon check-in and presenting your Certificate of Eligibility card, you will be reimbursed for your discount.

To receive your Certificate of Eligibility card, visit your nearest Veteran Field Service Office with a copy of your DD Form 214 and disability-rating letter. A Field Service Officer will submit a VSO 22 form on your behalf. After approval, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service will mail you a Certificate of Eligibility card.

For more information, visit www.veterans.georgia.gov/field-offices

Additional Benefits

Motor fuel service for disabled veterans.

When a gasoline station offers both full-service and self-service, a station employee shall, upon request, provide full-service at the self-service price to a disabled veteran, provided:

• the disabled veteran is driving a vehicle bearing Disabled Veteran license plates, and
• the disabled veteran is not accompanied by a person capable of pumping fuel (16 years or older and not disabled).

Vital Statistics

Veterans and their families may obtain copies of marriage, divorce, birth, and death documents without charge, provided the copies are to be used for establishing disability or death claims. For assistance, contact the Georgia Department of Public Health, Office of Vital Records: 404-679-4702 or https://dph.georgia.gov/

High School Diplomas for Certain War Veterans

A veteran who failed to receive a high school diploma due to an interruption of education by service in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam is eligible to obtain the diploma. Apply at the board of education of the school district where the veteran attended high school.

VA Disability Group PLLC is open and actively monitoring all received communications. We continue to communicate with current and prospective clients daily. We also continue to receive all mailed documentation.

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Education & Transition

Supreme court rules in favor of veteran who sued over gi bill limits.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a veteran who unsuccessfully tried to use both his Post-9/11 GI Bill and Montgomery GI Bill benefits , saying that Veterans Affairs officials erred in limiting his education support.

The 7-2 decision could have far-reaching impact on student veterans who use up their VA benefits but still wish to continue degree programs. Lawyers for the plaintiff have estimated as many as 1.7 million veterans nationwide could benefit from the ruling, but federal officials have estimated the number to be less than 30,000 individuals.

The case has been closely watched by veterans advocates for nearly nine years because of its potential ramifications. VA pays out more than $8 billion in education payments annually, and the Supreme Court ruling could boost that figure even higher.

The legal fight centered on Jim Rudisill, a 43-year-old Army veteran who was wounded in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq in 2005. Rudisill used all of his Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits shortly thereafter, but later wanted to tap into his unused Montgomery GI Bill benefits to attend Yale Divinity School as part of the process to become an Army chaplain.

One vet’s GI Bill fight could win benefits for millions of other students

The case could give an extra year of benefits for veterans who have used up their post-9/11 gi bill but still have some eligibility left under the montgomery gi bill program..

When VA officials denied that move, Rudisill sued, claiming they were unfairly limiting his options. Writing for the majority, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson called the government’s denial “nonsensical” and reversed lower court rulings supporting VA’s position.

Most veterans attending college today with federal financial support use the Post-9/11 GI Bill program, a generous benefit passed in 2008 that awards eligible veterans 36 months of tuition payouts, housing stipends and other financial assistance.

The Montgomery GI Bill program was the predecessor to that benefit, and is being phased out by the department. It offers far less money, but still can provide several thousands of dollars annually to veterans for tuition costs if they paid into the program at the start of their military service.

Currently, VA officials make students give up eligibility for the Montgomery GI Bill program when they register to begin using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. That means that once their education benefits from that program are exhausted, they cannot receive more tuition support from the other program.

But Rudisill’s attorneys argued that the limit is unfair and unfounded in federal law. Jackson agreed with that stance in her opinion.

“If service members serve for long enough, they may be entitled to both [education benefits],” Jackson wrote. “But such service members cannot receive disbursements from both entitlement programs at the same time, nor may they receive any combination of benefits for longer than 48 months.”

That’s because separate federal rules cap any government higher education payouts at 48 months, and prohibit using such benefits concurrently. Therefore, even if veterans qualify for both programs, they can only use them both in very limited circumstances.

But in Rudisill’s case, a majority of justices said that he should have been able to access about 10 months of Montgomery GI Bill benefits to attend Yale.

In his dissent, Justice Clarence Thomas said Rudisill clearly forfeited his remaining Montgomery GI Bill support when he opted for the more generous Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, making his case moot.

The full decision is available on the Supreme Court’s website .

Leo covers Congress, Veterans Affairs and the White House for Military Times. He has covered Washington, D.C. since 2004, focusing on military personnel and veterans policies. His work has earned numerous honors, including a 2009 Polk award, a 2010 National Headliner Award, the IAVA Leadership in Journalism award and the VFW News Media award.

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