Top Veterinary School Thanks Governor Corbett for Maintaining Funding, Investing in Animal Health and Agriculture

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa., Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett, joined by leaders of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, announced today that the proposed 2013-14 budget will maintain funding for the school's nationally renowned veterinary education and research.

The proposed budget will provide level funding for the state's only veterinary institution, including $27.8 million for veterinary activities and $248,000 to the Center for Infectious Diseases.

"This budget will provide Penn Vet with the resources needed to continue as a national leader in veterinary education and research," Corbett said during a tour of the university's rural campus in Chester County.

"Its training for large animal veterinarians and pioneering research is invaluable to Pennsylvania's agriculture industry," Corbett said.

Agriculture is Pennsylvania's leading economic driver, with more than 62,000 farms generating $67 billion in economic impact and supporting one-in-seven jobs.

"Governor Corbett's budget proposal secures our state's position as a leader in animal health," Agriculture Secretary George Greig said. "This budget is an investment in a new generation of veterinary leaders, providing them with world-class training and hands-on experience."

Penn Vet's New Bolton Center, the university's rural campus, serves the animal agriculture community with a full-service food animal veterinary hospital and working crop and livestock farm. A world leader in equine sports medicine, the center treated Pennsylvania-bred Kentucky Derby winners Smarty Jones and Barbaro.

"The proposed funding will help provide learning opportunities for our students to become the best veterinary medical practitioners in the world," said Penn Vet Dean Joan Hendricks. "Penn Vet is devoted to the teaching of veterinary medical students and research, and this funding is essential to our students' and Pennsylvania's futures. We welcome the opportunity to work with the governor and the legislature to help our students, and agriculture industry, succeed."

For more information, visit www.pa.gov.

Media contacts:
Kirsten Page, Governor's Office, 717-783-1116
Samantha Elliott Krepps, Agriculture, 717-787-5085

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor