Rural Saskatchewan is not only having a challenging time attracting doctors and nurses—-there is also a growing shortage of large animal veterinarians.

The provincial government has expanded its loan forgiveness program for veterinarians and veterinary technologists. When announced last year, it was for smaller communities. It will now include larger centres like Prince Albert and Saskatoon.

A vet or vet tech working in an urban clinic who spends at least 400 hours over a 12-month period handling livestock cases in rural areas, is eligible to receive a$4,000 student loan forgiveness. The program can last for up to five years bringing the potential total to $20,000.

You can hear the audio version of the story below with comments from Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association chair Arnold Balicki and Prince Albert veterinarian Dr. Tom Avey.