The National Association of Federal Veterinarians (NAFV) is pleased to announce a major milestone in our advocacy and professional engagement: NAFV has been approved as a full association member of the U.S. Animal Health Association (USAHA). This advancement enhances our ability to represent federal veterinarians’ interests within one of the most influential policy and technical bodies guiding national animal health priorities. 

NAFV’s Expanded Role in USAHA 

As a full member, NAFV now has: 

• Voting rights on resolutions and policy recommendations submitted to USDA, CDC, FDA, and other agencies. 
• The ability to sponsor and co-author resolutions directly through USAHA committees. 
• A stronger voice in shaping the direction of national animal health, emergency response, and workforce initiatives. 

Seat on the USAHA Board of Directors as an Allied Organization, will sit alongside state and federal agencies, as well as leading industry organizations, notably producer and veterinary leaders. This new status affirms NAFV’s growing leadership role among key partners such as AAVLD, AVMA, and NASAHO, and ensures that the federal veterinary workforce perspective is consistently represented in national discussions.

USAHA Support for the USDA Rural Veterinary Action Plan (RVAP) 

At the 2025 USAHA–AAVLD Annual Meeting, the Joint Veterinary Workforce Development Committee unanimously adopted a recommendation supporting the USDA Rural Veterinary Action Plan (RVAP). This recommendation was co-sponsored and advanced through the leadership of NAFV representatives, and carries the backing of USAHA and AAVLD to execute. 

Key points of the recommendation include: 

• Commending Secretary of Agriculture Dr. Rollins for recognizing the critical shortage of rural veterinarians. 
• Endorsing the RVAP’s objectives to strengthen recruitment, retention, and support for rural veterinary services through education, incentives, and partnerships. 
• Encouraging collaboration among federal, state, and industry partners to ensure sustained implementation and measurable outcomes. 
•  Inviting USAHA and AAVLD to work with USDA in monitoring progress and providing technical input.

Why the RVAP Matters to NAFV Members 

The Rural Veterinary Action Plan directly supports NAFV’s mission to ensure a strong, well-resourced federal veterinary workforce capable of meeting the nation’s agricultural protection needs. 

For NAFV members, RVAP’s importance lies in: 

• Workforce Stabilization: Addresses the chronic shortage of veterinarians in underserved areas, reducing the strain on APHIS, FSIS, and other federal programs. 
• Public Health and Biosecurity: Expands the reach of trained veterinarians in high-risk agricultural regions.
• Professional Sustainability: Encourages mentoring, loan repayment, and flexible career pathways that align with federal workforce goals. 
• Program Effectiveness: Improves coordination among local, state, and federal agencies responsible for animal health and emergency response.

Looking Ahead 

NAFV’s new USAHA membership and success in championing the RVAP represent significant progress in our ongoing effort to elevate the role of federal veterinarians in national policy discussions. We will continue to work closely with USDA leadership, AVMA’s Government Relations Division, and congressional partners to ensure sustained funding and support for veterinary workforce programs—especially those that directly impact federal veterinarians