The Business of Practice: Rural Veterinary Practice Grants

In this episode, Hailey Mueller, DVM, and Katelyn Jaqueway, DVM, discussed their experiences with the USDA Rural Veterinary Services Grant Program. The Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP) is intended to relieve veterinarian shortage situations and support veterinary services. Rural Practice Enhancement (RPE) grants are for establishing or expanding veterinary practices by equipping veterinary offices, sharing overhead costs, and/or establishing mobile veterinary facilities. The Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) for 2026 works by offering up to $120,000 in student loan repayment with a tax offset for veterinarians who commit to three years of service in designated food animal or public health shortage areas to bolster food security and animal health infrastructure. 

Mueller, a rural practitioner who sees all species, received an RPE grant, which she used to expand her practice’s equipment. She described how important this support was in purchasing a truck and a set of portable stocks. Each year, the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) designates veterinarian shortage areas. As of 2026, applicants (veterinarians or veterinary clinics) who provide food animal services in these areas may receive up to $200,000 over three years. These grants, often used for equipment and operations costs, were previously capped at $125,000 in earlier cycles. Mueller said the application process is lengthy but worth the effort.  

Jaqueway received a VMLRP grant in 2024. She explained how the program works, including the required documentation and application process. For the 2026 fiscal year, the VMLRP provides up to $40,000 per year in student loan repayment for a three-year commitment, plus an additional $15,600 per year to cover federal tax liability. This results in a total maximum award of $166,800 over three years to veterinarians working in designated shortage areas. The program specifically targets food animal and other high-priority veterinary service shortages.  

Both doctors shared the large positive impact this financial support has had on their lives. 

About Dr. Hailey Mueller  

Hailey Mueller, DVM, grew up in Overbrook, Kansas, where she was active in 4-H throughout her youth. After earning a bachelor’s degree in animal sciences and industry with minors in entrepreneurship and biology from Kansas State University in 2014, she entered veterinary school at KSU and graduated in 2018. She began her career as an associate at a mixed animal practice in Southeast Kansas and after two years formed her own ambulatory mixed animal practice. The practice has a new clinic building in progress, where she and her team will see all species.    

When she is not working, Mueller enjoys hiking and kayaking, gardening, running, shotgun sports, and fostering and adopting sighthounds.  

You can reach Mueller at haileymuellerdvm@gmail.com with any questions about applying for a grant. 

About Dr. Katelyn Jaqueway 

Katelyn Jaqueway, DVM, grew up in Schoharie, New York. She started riding horses when she was 8 years old and as a youth also showed sheep in 4-H and FFA and competed in Horse Quiz Bowl and Hippology. She competed at the National 4-H Eastern States Round Up in 2012 for the Horse Quiz Bowl. She attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky, and earned her DVM at the Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine in Tennessee, where she also completed large animal emergency rescue training.  

When not working, you can find her outdoors enjoying the mountains. She also enjoys baking, cooking, and photography.  

Related Reading

• Equine Veterinary Sustainability: USDA Programs to Address Rural Veterinary Shortages
• The Complexities of Rural Equine Practice
• Business Briefs: Should You Build a Haul-in Facility?

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