Veterinary medicine provides big boost for Ohio economy
SHARON TWP., SUMMIT
As Debby Davis COUNTY — held the diminutive patient tight, Dr. Stephen Faust removed staples from the chest of Sniffy, a 12-year-old dachshund who was recovering from having a tumor removed from his chest.
Next, the veterinarian turned his attention to some routine blood work for Bossy the skink, a lizard who’s more than 20 years old.
Faust wasn’t sure who — or what animal — was up next but he knew he had a packed schedule of appointments.
It was just another busy day at the Sharon Center Veterinary Hospital on Copley Road — and similar to the full days for other veterinarians across Ohio.
A new study from the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association and the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine estimates that veterinary medicine contributes $2.4 billion directly to the state economy.
The analysis, completed by Regionomics LLC, also shows the veterinary services industry employs about 13,000 workers statewide and generates $438 million in wages.
The economic benefit and employment grows to nearly $13 billion and 93,569 workers when factoring in indirect and induced impacts.
Faust isn’t surprised at the economic benefits provided from his profession, knowing that his clinic alone employs 28 people.
He also sees another benefit.
“The economy in Ohio has to be good for veterinary medicine to produce as much as it’s producing,” he said. “Veterinary medicine is based on disposable income. If you don’t have disposal income, you’re not going to be spending [money] on your animals.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Veterinarians in Ohio. There is at least one vet based in 85 of the state’s 88 counties.
The median annual salary for vets in Ohio. Workers employed in the state’s veterinary services industry.
Companion animals in Ohio, including 2.9 million cats, 2.7 million dogs, 2.2 million horses and 90,000 turtles.
Study results
The report, “Economic and Social Impacts of Veterinary Medicine in Ohio,” outlines everything from the economic impact to the number of animals by county.
The analysis noted that the veterinary field covers much more than household pets and includes everything from food production to zoos to racetracks to animal nutrition.
“Veterinary medicine not only keeps Ohio’s pet and farm animals healthy, but it also plays an important role in Ohio’s economic health,” Veterinary Medical Association President Dr. Tod Beckett said.
Some highlights from the 54-page report include:
■ The veterinary services industry statewide saw a 15.5 percent increase in jobs from 2007 to 2015. The Akron metropolitan statistical area, which covers Summit and Portage counties, experienced a 34 percent increase. There are 1,036 people working in the industry locally.
■ The number of veterinarians statewide is 2,910.
■ There are an estimated 9.6 million household pets in the state, with 2.9 million cats leading the way. There also are 2.7 million dogs and 2.2 million horses, not to mention 90,000 turtles, 45,000 snakes and 18,000 gerbils.
■ Wayne County not only continues to lead the state with nearly 100,000 farm cattle, but also is home to the state’s second largest chicken population at more than 5.7 million, among counties reporting to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
■ Holmes County is home to the state’s largest number of farm horses at 9,898.
Faust’s experience
Faust, a 1995 Ohio State graduate, originally was on track for a medical career involving humans. But he didn’t enjoy dealing with people that much and opted for veterinary services.
The funny thing is, he said, he deals with more people as a vet because animals can’t talk.
He also liked the idea of being able to work on different species and not having to specialize like in human medicine. Over the years, he’s worked on tigers, reptiles, birds of prey, you name it.
“You’re always learning,” he said. He has performed an ultrasound for dolphins and worked on the tusks of elephants. Contracts with the Akron Zoo and Cleveland Museum of Natural History keep him exposed to a variety of species. “The only thing I haven’t worked on is a whale.”