Veterinary Debt Initiative

VMAE has joined with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) to lead the Veterinary Debt Initiative. This is a multi-faceted partnership that unites the entire veterinary profession to improve the financial picture for veterinarians.

The Veterinary Debt Initiative (VDI) is committed to helping veterinarians thrive in rewarding and financially sustainable careers

The Veterinary Debt Initiative shares best practices, knowledge and ideas to enhance financial literacy, explores ways to reduce the cost of education, and creates resources to help veterinarians reduce and manage debt. VDI has provided sessions for students to attend at the annual SAVMA Symposium and partnered with industry leaders who are providing information about student loans and repayment options.

The partnership also advocates for informed public policy that supports veterinarians’ financially. Partners collaborate to create a coordinated and engaged voice on legislative matters affecting debt, such as developments related to education funding, student debt reduction, and business costs.

About the VDI

The vision of the Veterinary Debt Initiative is for veterinarians to thrive in rewarding and financially sustainable careers.

The mission of the Veterinary Debt Initiative is to educate, advocate and provide leadership to ensure veterinarians can pursue a lifetime of financial success in a personally and professionally rewarding career.

The strategic plan is to raise awareness and provide access to resources that will enable pre-veterinary students, veterinary students and veterinarians to make highly informed financial decisions.

The initiative is currently concentrating on those identified as needing the most help – pre-veterinary and veterinary students, and new graduates and early career veterinarians with existing debt – and has further plans to deliver resources to veterinarians in later career stages. The Veterinary Debt Initiative has developed a multi-year strategic plan that includes identifying priorities and the objectives that support them.

View VDI key messages to aid your discussions or presentations.

View ongoing updates from the Veterinary Debt Initiative here.

Resources to Address Educational Debt:

Peer to Peer Special Editions on Student Debt: