Otterbein University partners with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program

Otterbein University’s Department of Equine Science is expanding its partnership with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine to create the Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program. The expanded partnership is part of Ohio State’s Protect One Health in Ohio (Protect OHIO) initiative. The initiative seeks to strengthen the state’s rural veterinary workforce through integration of animal, human, and environmental health in education.

According to an article on Otterbein University’s website, Otterbein University President John Comerford was quoted as saying, “Experiential learning is an integral part of an Otterbein education, and this partnership is a perfect opportunity for our Equine Pre-Veterinary majors. Many of our graduates already go on to earn their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, but formalizing this mentorship program will make them better prepared for veterinary school and, ultimately, better prepared to serve their communities as veterinarians.”

The Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program will begin in the Spring 2027 semester. Students at the sophomore level within the Equine Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Graduate Studies programs at Otterbein University who have an interest in food animal or equine veterinarians in rural communities will be able to individually apply for the mentoring program. Otterbein faculty members will select students based on a review of their time at Otterbein and their grade point average, level of interest, personal statement, and more.

Students who are selected to participate in the program will receive internships, advising, and networking opportunities with alumni who are currently in veterinary school, as well as resume and application assistance to prepare them for their own veterinary school applications. Throughout the program, students will also have guidance and coaching from faculty and mentors.

Sheri Birmingham, DVM, who serves as the chair of Otterbein’s Department of Equine Science, said, “Students may apply for the mentorship program within their second year as an Equine Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Graduate Studies major, as their understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures, and therapies will exponentially increase throughout that year. The coursework will allow them to maximize their experiences gained throughout the mentorship program as a knowledgeable, active participant in externships, internships, and interactions with current veterinary student alumni and industry professionals.”

Birmingham went on to explain how Otterbein University and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine have had a relationship for years, and what this program will do to expand that relationship. She said, “Otterbein and The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine have been working in partnership to develop future veterinary professionals for as long as I can remember. Even when I was an undergraduate student at Otterbein in the ’90s, Dr. Maria Calderone, our former veterinary professor and department chair, facilitated shadowing opportunities, collaborative student research, and tours with Ohio State. Over the past 10 years, that partnership has become more intentional and formalized with the hosting of the college’s equine handling lab at Otterbein’s Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science. Now, with the development of the mentorship program, we are expanding those connections even further for our Equine Pre-Veterinary majors.”

The partnership between the universities is mutually beneficial, with students at Ohio State having the opportunity to study at Otterbein University's Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science and other facilities.

Teresa Burns, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, who is a professor and Bud and Marilyn Jenne Designated Professor in Equine Clinical Sciences and Research at Ohio State University, said, “Our partnership with Otterbein is deeply integrated in how we train both undergraduate and DVM students. Ohio State veterinary students gain hands-on experience in equine handling and physical examination at Otterbein’s facilities, while Otterbein students benefit from wet labs and shadowing at the College of Veterinary Medicine that reinforce their interest in equine practice. As a result, Otterbein graduates arrive exceptionally well prepared for veterinary school, and this agreement strengthens a proven pathway for students pursuing equine veterinary careers.”

Otterbein University’s Equine Pre-Veterinary Medicine/Pre-Graduate Studies major prepares students for entry into veterinary school, giving them the ability to have hands-on experience with the 52 horses on site at the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science.

Rustin Moore, DVM, PhD, who is the Rita Jean Wolf Endowed Dean at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, said of the mutually beneficial partnership, “We’re pleased to formalize this partnership with Otterbein University, which aligns closely with our Protect OHIO initiative and our commitment to strengthening large animal and equine rural veterinary medicine across the state. By expanding the Large Animal Rural Veterinary Mentoring Program to include Otterbein students, we can grow a strong pipeline of qualified candidates who receive the guidance and opportunities needed to strengthen their preparation for veterinary education while maintaining a focus on rural large-animal practice.”

For more information about Otterbein University, visit the school’s website.