For many years, the University of Arizona (UA) has been pursuing accreditation of a large animal veterinary program by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA). District 11 legislators Senator Vince Leach and Representatives Mark Finchem and Bret Roberts have played an active role in the process.

"We have been champions for the school in the Arizona Legislature, in the private sector, and even at the federal level, calling on Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to assist with moving the application for accreditation through the AVMA process," said Representative Finchem. "This day has been a long time coming, and it ushers in a new, dynamic way to train doctors of veterinary medicine. I have enjoyed working with Dr. Shane Burgess at UA to help advance the critical offering of our land grant college." 

The new College of Veterinary Medicine had their opening ceremony November 13th. The school will be located at 1580 E Hanley Boulevard, just off North Oracle Road near the Honeywell facility. 

"Oro Valley is an important location for the UA College of Veterinary Medicine because it is closer to the rural community where a significant population of large animals are located," said Senator Leach. "We are excited to see this school launch and begin to fill the critical shortage of doctors of veterinary medicine. Every aspect of our food supply chain is affected by veterinary professionals."