CALF_News_August_September_2021

26 CALF News • August | September 2021 • www.calfnews.net By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor T he Matador Song draws Red Raiders from everywhere. It’s a Texas Tech University (TTU) tradition, much like the statute of Will Rogers and his horse, and Super Bowl Raider Patrick Mahomes. Well, there’s a new Raiderland attraction – one that stakes claim as the nation’s newest veterinary school. In August, the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) welcomed its inaugural class of some 60 students. Located in Amarillo, which houses the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, the Tech veterinary school has been a dream since 1971. The SVM complex features classrooms and labs on campus, as well as an off-site, large- animal teaching and lab facility. Known as Mariposa Station, the large-animal facility will serve the Pan- handle area’s huge cattle feeding industry and dairy complex. Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico feedyards finish about 6 million cattle per year, about 30 percent of the nation’s fed cattle supply. And the region’s extensive dairy industry ranks as the country’s third largest milk shed, says Britt Conklin, DVM, associ- ate dean for clinical programs. Despite the large concentration of cattle, Oklahoma State University has the nearest vet school in Stillwater, about 321 miles from Amarillo. Kansas State’s vet school is 471 miles away in Manhattan, and Colorado State’s is 497 miles away in Fort Collins. Texas A&M University is more than 500 miles away in College Station and, until now, was the only vet school in Texas. Dr. John Dascanio, VMD (Veteri- nariae Medicinae Doctoris from Penn State University), is senior associate dean and professor of theriogenology. He says that SVM’s curriculum and goals are designed to provide students with hands-on training with large- animal practitioners and industry leaders to prepare them for real-world needs of livestock producers and feeders. “SVM does not have a veterinary teaching hospital,” Dascanio says. “Instead, our students will go out amongst veterinary practitioners their fourth year to get their clinical year of experience. We want them to be uncom- monly good at the common things.” Affordability and Accessibility Getting into a vet school isn’t easy. Enrollment slots are few and far between. The SVM opens the gate for more future veterinarians. “Our admis- sions structure is unique,” Dascanio says. “Normally, veterinary schools factor in grades and the results of a graduate record examination in the final decision to admit students. For us, once students hit a 2.9 science GPA and a 2.9 general GPA, we don’t consider grades anymore. “What we’re looking for are their life experiences and personal attributes. Has a kid really lived a story, are they from a rural community or regional community like Amarillo, Midland or even El Paso?” SVM’s initial class includes students from all corners of Texas and from regional states. “Students likely couldn’t get into here having come from Dallas or another large city and worked only a few weeks on a beef cattle farm,” Dascanio says. “Students need to have done this [had ranch, feedyard or farm experience] for many summers or years.” Dascanio and his team are determined to make the SVM program affordable. “The cost for veterinary education can be enormous,” he stresses. “If you want to become a large-animal, rural vet, you Texas Vet School Welcomes Its Inaugural Class America’s Newest Veterinary School Opens in Amarillo Dr. John Dascanio is senior associate dean of the Texas Tech University School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo. He came to Texas Tech from Penn State University and has been involved in the new SVM since it became a reality several years ago. TOP: Finishing touches were made to the new SVM this summer as the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center welcomes its newest partner at the Amarillo Medical Center Complex. Photo courtesy TTU