[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 17 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON REINTRODUCING THE WILDLIFE VETERINARIANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT 
                           (WILDLIFE VET ACT)

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 2012

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to reintroduce the 
Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act (Wildlife VET Act). 
This legislation will develop affordable and well qualified 
opportunities for individuals who are seeking to become wildlife 
veterinarians, spur job growth, and promote robust public health 
policy.
  Wildlife veterinarians are the primary source of essential health 
care for and management of wild animals in their natural habitat and in 
captivity. Not only do they preserve natural resources and animal 
lives, but they help protect human health by preventing, detecting, and 
responding to exotic and dangerous diseases.
  With the intensification of globalization and climate change, along 
with a growing interface between humans, livestock, and wildlife, the 
threat posed by emerging infectious diseases to humans and wildlife 
keeps increasing. Controlling pandemic and large-scale outbreaks of 
disease has become more problematic.
  Furthermore, wildlife veterinarians have the resources and expertise 
necessary to help respond to environmental disasters and address short-
term and long-term impacts on wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife 
veterinarians have proven to be essential to the rescue and 
rehabilitation efforts in the Gulf of Mexico region following the 
Deepwater Horizon oil spill that began on April 20, 2010.
  In spite of these threats to both wildlife and public health, the 
United States faces a shortage of positions for wildlife veterinarians. 
In addition, veterinarian graduates owe an average of $130,000 in 
student loans, and salaries for wildlife professionals are relatively 
low compared to companion animal medicine. Lower salaries, combined 
with high educational debt and the small number of positions available, 
discourage students from becoming wildlife veterinarians. The number of 
practical trainings and formal educational programs specializing in 
wildlife and zoological veterinary medicine are also insufficient.
  My bill will directly address these issues which dissuade 
veterinarians from practicing wildlife medicine. It will contribute to 
the national job creation effort by funding new positions for wildlife 
veterinarians and will ensure that veterinary students find jobs upon 
graduation. The bill will also limit the amount of educational debt for 
students while providing incentives to study and practice wildlife 
veterinary medicine through the establishment of scholarships and loan 
repayment programs. Lastly, my legislation will advance education by 
helping schools develop pilot curricula specializing in wildlife 
veterinary medicine and by expanding the number of practical training 
programs available to students.
  Mr. Speaker, we have reached a point in our history when we cannot 
ignore the importance of protecting America's wildlife. Wild animals 
are a very important part of our commonly held natural resources and 
contribute to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. With an increasing 
number of endangered species, the introduction of invasive non-native 
species, and more infectious disease threats, wildlife veterinarians 
must be placed at the core of our efforts and be given the resources 
and recognition necessary to protect both animal and human lives.
  I urge my colleagues to extend a helping hand to America's 
veterinarians by supporting this important piece of legislation.

                          ____________________