Wayne Sisk, DVM
02/06/2025
Folks, please read. Our veterinary school is in trouble.
Everyone asked me what veterinary school I went to and like most veterinarians in the area, I went to Oklahoma State University and proud of it.
The next statement I get told, is that it is one of the best veterinary schools America.
The truth is complicated and no body likes a complicated answer. We defiantly have some of the best folks at the school but the US News and World Reports Ranks Oklahoma State Veterinary Schools at 27th, a tie with Texas Tech University, which was just started. In 2006, there were 27 veterinary schools. Today, there are around 33.
Why, My opinion. Funding.
When I was in school, every year, our veterinary school budget was cut and facilities were run down. Nearly 20 years ago. My 1st year total student aid for school and help living was about $12,000 first year, that cost is estimated at $39,000 now. Texas AM website says they are at $21,000, seem odd but....
Additionally, the veterinary school has been on accreditation probation around 3 times since then, including now. I don't know of 1 small animal professor outside of pathology that is still there from 2006, while several large animal professor were as of recently.
OSU Vet Med can't seem to recruit new professors, especially small animal. Without serious help, I am fearful of its future (my opinion)
Today I got a email to call state and federal elects officials to help secure $290,000,000 to build a new hospital, which they certainly need.
We in Oklahoma are proud, and rightly so, of our veterinary school. We need to support it while we can (my opinion) and it's gonna cost a lot. Our legislature has dug us a hole over the years. If you want a Veterinary School in this state you better start calling your state and local elected officials and your federal officials for assistance.
