New leash on learning: Ribbon cut, doors opened for Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine

Rowan University commemorated the opening of Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, New Jersey’s first and only veterinary school, with a ribbon-cutting celebration on Rowan’s West Campus in Harrison Township before nearly 400 special guests, supporters and students on Friday. 

Rowan is one of only two public universities in the nation to grant D.V.M., D.O. and M.D. degrees and is the fastest-growing public research university in the Northeast, and among the top 10 in the nation. 

“We are immensely proud to train tomorrow’s professionals to improve animal, human and environmental health,” said Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand. “Every success we celebrate and every opportunity we create are thanks to those who have partnered with us on developing this school and growing the University.”

One of 36 veterinary schools in the U.S., the Shreiber School is only the third named for a benefactor: business leader and longtime Rowan supporter Gerald B. Shreiber, who has used his business success to support animal welfare and education for decades. He pledged $30 million to support the school and student scholarships, demonstrating his and his wife Melanie’s lifelong support of animals.

“I’ve been very fortunate in business over the years and I’m honored to support the veterinary school and, more importantly, its students,” Shreiber said earlier. “Animals are my passion, so I couldn’t think of a better way to give something back to make a positive impact on their lives.”

In 2021, the state Legislature approved $75 million to construct the veterinary school’s primary academic and clinical facility.

New Jersey State Senator and Rowan alumnus Troy Singleton spoke about the South Jersey legislative delegation's commitment to Rowan and the region’s growth. 

“Not only was I a student here, an athlete, a trustee, I have the honor and privilege of being a proud alum of this university,” Singleton said. As a team, South Jersey legislators “try to advance issues and ideals that make South Jersey stronger. Each and every year, we fight to make sure this university and the principles and projects of southern New Jersey are properly resourced.”    

New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald commented on the impact the school will have far into the future.

“This day means more than this class and this building,” Greenwald said. “This becomes decades and generations of return on this investment.” 

Founding Dean Matthew Edson, DVM, celebrated the landmark day for the profession and aspiring veterinarians in New Jersey. 

“I think I speak for all the veterinarians in our profession when I say it’s always been a dream of ours to go to school in our home states,” Edson said. “We’re really happy to be here to provide that for future generations.”  

'One medicine' supporting 'one health'

After the ceremony near the school’s main entrance, students from the inaugural class led guests on tours of the building's classrooms, labs, educational spaces and hospital. 

Designed to meet students’ needs and adapt to evolving teaching strategies, the new facility supports the school’s innovative curriculum. The school will advance the health and well-being of animals and humans through the “One Health Concept”—that there is “one medicine” supporting “one health.”

Clinical experience begins early, with rotations between classroom lectures and practical experience through more than 70 partnerships with wildlife refuges, farms, zoos and animal shelters throughout the region. The hands-on approach ensures job readiness for graduates on day one. 

“The minute I heard, I said, ‘I have to go there,’” said Maya Quinn, Barnegat resident and member of the Shreiber School’s inaugural class. As the great-granddaughter of a Glassboro Normal School graduate, her connection to Rowan extends back to the institution’s roots. In just the first few weeks, Quinn added, the cohort of students is already making connections, sharing notes and spending time together after exams. 

“It’s nice to get together and talk about things other than blood cells,” Quinn said. 

Cali Moore, a lifelong South Jersey resident and Rowan University biological sciences graduate, is among the first 75 students enrolled. 

“I do want to stay in New Jersey and plan to eventually open a practice here,” said Moore, who has worked as a veterinary technician for nearly five years. “So, even better, (I’m) getting my education here, learning everything here and then staying here.”

'Being a good neighbor is part of our mission' 

Well before students enrolled, faculty practitioners set out to fulfill the Shreiber School’s mission to provide animal care through its Large Animal Field Service and Shelter Medicine & Community Engagement Mobile Unit services. The field trucks take routine and emergency services on location to tend to horses, cows and large animals, while the outfitted Freightliner RV allows practitioners to treat small animals and provide vaccinations during community clinics. The teaching hospital, also part of the new West Campus facility, offers primary care for pets, with appointments available now. Emergency and specialty services will be added soon. 

“Being a good neighbor is part of our mission,” said Edson. “We want our students to be good doctors and to carry these service traditions into their careers.” 

As guests toured the building, Shreiber veterinarians welcomed others aboard the school’s mobile clinic, used to deliver free spay-and-neuter services in underserved areas. 

Nearby, farrier Patrick Reilly, an assistant professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences, forged a new horseshoe behind one of the school’s field service trucks. He explained ongoing grant-funded research at Rowan to develop best practices using artificial intelligence, computer imaging, and a database of measurements to understand horses’ gait, pressures on their hooves and more.    

“The basic process of shoeing a horse hasn’t changed much,” Reilly said. “All of a sudden, in the last 20 years, we have all this technology available to us to give us new insights and show us how to get better at it.”   

The Shreiber School also offers an accelerated D.V.M./MBA in collaboration with Rowan’s Rohrer College of Business, and dual graduate degree programs, including an M.S./Ph.D. in veterinary biomedical science in collaboration with Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan-Virtua School of Translational Biomedical Engineering & Sciences, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University and the College of Science & Mathematics.