Veterinarians who care for large animals in Virginia now have a new opportunity to secure grant funding through a state program aimed at strengthening rural veterinary services.
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, known as VDACS, has officially opened the application window for its Large Animal Veterinary Grant Program. The program will award four grants of up to $110,000 each, paid out over three years, to qualifying veterinarians providing care for large animals throughout the commonwealth.
A separate funding opportunity is also available through a partnership with the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission. Through that collaboration, up to three veterinarians practicing in Southern and Southwest Virginia may receive grants of up to $150,000 distributed over five years in designated service areas.
Both grant applications must be submitted by September 1, 2026.
The funding can be used to tackle some of the most common financial hurdles facing large animal practitioners, including purchasing equipment, covering staff salaries, repaying student loans, offsetting travel costs, and supporting efforts to grow and sustain their practices.
Large animal veterinarians are considered vital to the health of livestock operations, food production, and farm productivity — but many rural areas across Virginia continue to struggle with limited access to these specialized services.
The grant program was established in 2025 following a collaborative effort among agricultural, veterinary, and educational organizations, including the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, specifically to address the shortage of large animal vets in rural parts of the state.
In its first year, the program awarded funding to veterinarians working in Luray, Galax, Rockbridge Baths, and Suffolk. Tobacco Commission grants went to veterinarians in Scott County, Galax, and Gretna.
State Veterinarian Dr. Charlie Broaddus said the program has already begun making a meaningful difference in rural communities and is helping support veterinarians dedicated to serving Virginia’s agricultural sector.
Veterinarians who believe they may qualify are encouraged to apply before the September 1 deadline. Full application details and eligibility requirements can be found on the VDACS website.
