For the third consecutive year, Pfizer Animal Health and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) continue their ongoing commitment to invest in the future of the veterinary profession, announcing the recipients of this year’s student scholarship program. Pfizer awarded $2,500 each to 331 second- and third-year veterinary students at accredited universities throughout the United States and the Caribbean, for a total of $827,500.

A total of 1,582 students applied for the scholarship. Students were chosen based on several criteria, including academic excellence, professional interests (small animal, large, mixed, research, academia, etc.), financial need, diversity, leadership, and potential for contribution to the veterinary profession. Of the total group of 2012 scholars, 31% are students from diverse backgrounds, 47% are studying to practice food and mixed animal veterinary medicine, 28% will go into small animal practice, 8% will enter academia (research and clinical research), and the remainder will enter other areas such as public health, lab animal medicine, and poultry. A list of scholarship recipients is available online.

“Students are the future of the veterinary profession, and Pfizer Animal Health is honored to support them on their path for professional success,” said Vanessa Mariani, director of academic and professional affairs for the United States at Pfizer. “We understand the financial barriers that many students face today and, through a true collaborative effort with AVMF as our partner, and all the Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) in the selection process, the Pfizer Animal Health scholarship program allows us to help alleviate some of that burden.”

More than 2,600 students will graduate from veterinary schools this year, with an average loan debt of nearly $140,000, according to the AVMA. In response to the rising debt load and to help ensure there are enough qualified veterinarians in the years ahead, Pfizer Animal Health has increased funding provided by the scholarship program by 49% since its inaugural year in 2010