Eleven veterinary practices in North Carolina have received grants to support large animal health services. The funding, totaling $123,500, was created by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2023 and is managed by the N.C. Ag Finance Authority. Each selected practice received $11,227.
The grant program targets veterinarians working in one of 70 counties with populations under 100,000 who dedicate at least 30% of their care to large animals. According to Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, “North Carolina, like many other states, has a deficit of large animal veterinarians. In many areas of the state, a single veterinarian may be the only option within 100 square miles,” he said. “These funds can be used for repayment of educational loans related to the recipient’s veterinary degree, facility renovations, to purchase supplies, equipment or technology for use in the practice or any additional uses the advisory committee determines is helpful in promoting and developing large animal veterinarians.”
Grant recipients from this cycle include Seven Spring Mobile Veterinary Services (Taylorsville), Derek L. Heizer (Snow Camp), Cowee Cowgirl Mobile Large Animal Veterinary Services (Franklin), DocTerra Mobile Veterinary Services (Vale), NC Mobile Veterinary Service (Enfield), Aimee Sink (Supply), Hoof and Horn Mobile Veterinary Services (Apex), Bovine Veterinary Solutions (Stony Point), Sullivan Mobile Veterinary Services (Vale), Jacklyn Porter (Cleveland) and Foothills Large Animal Hospital (Nebo).
Applications for the next round will be accepted from August 1 through August 31. Interested applicants can access forms online at https://fs4.formsite.com/QopHZM/v5bhn3g5x1/index.
More information about eligibility and requirements is available via frequently asked questions or by emailing largeanimalvetgrants@ncagr.gov.
