FARGO, N.D. (AP)--Dr. L.A. Dunn has waited 19 years for someone to end his career.

The 81-year-old veterinarian is still waiting.

Day after day, he goes back to his job of the past 47 years at Ellendale Animal Hospital in southeastern North Dakota.

And day after day, he wonders if anyone will ever buy his practice.

Dunn decided at age 62 that it was time to say goodbye to the four-legged patients that have captivated his career.

But with no one interested in carrying on his life's work and financial issues preventing him from closing the doors, his "retirement days" have gone to the dogs in more ways than one.

"By the time I put in another 50 years, I should be ready to retire," the good-natured doctor jokes.

A 2005 North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association survey found 33 of 51 respondents did not feel they would be able to sell their practice for a reasonable price when they retire.

Veterinarians cite lack of interest by new veterinarians in moving to small towns, owning a practice or working with large animals as reasons for their response.

National trends show a high percentage of incoming veterinary students are women from urban backgrounds, North Dakota State University Extension Veterinarian Charles Stoltenow said.

There's still a good number of Upper Midwest students from agricultural backgrounds interested in working with large animals, he said. But those students are in high demand across the country.

"To recruit them back is not as easy," Stoltenow said.

Long hours and a coverage area that can span up to 90 miles are common for veterinarians in the sparsely populated regions of North Dakota and Minnesota.

Thirty-one of the 54 veterinarian survey responders said they work 51 or more hours per week. Of those, 12 said they work 71 or more hours per week.

"It really takes a toll. There aren't a lot of young people out there that want to have that lifestyle," Stoltenow said.

On the other hand, it's not feasible for a veterinarian to make a living in some areas, he said.

School debt can make it difficult for new graduates to buy a practice, said Nancy Kopp, executive director of the North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association.

A bill introduced in the North Dakota Legislature this year made an effort to help students, through a new partnership with Kansas State University.

Selected students who attend the school and return to North Dakota to practice for three years after graduation are eligible for tuition assistance.

Some students have opted to come back on their own.

Dr. Sara Lyons, 28, returned to North Dakota after veterinary school at Iowa State University in Ames and has spent the past two years at Enderlin Veterinary Clinic.

The Lisbon native wanted to work at a small practice and respected her husband's wish to stay in the area and farm.

Workdays vary, with some slow and some so hectic there isn't time to sit down, Lyons said.

One day in late July, she performed three surgeries, vaccinated a few dogs and worked with several drop-in animals with problems ranging from a cat's urinary infection to a vomiting dog.

There were also the sick and boarded animals at the clinic to tend to.

Meanwhile, co-worker Dr. Andrew Peterson was busy vaccinating cattle for anthrax, she said.

Although small clinics don't always have the resources of larger ones, Lyons enjoys what she's doing.

"(I like) just having different people that you can talk with and help out through their problems," she said.

Dr. Amy Anderson, 28, made sure she had a job working with animals before agreeing to move to North Dakota to be near her husband's family.

The Pennsylvania native started calling area practices to review the possibilities.

"Oakes was the first place to answer the phone," she said of how she began working at Oakes Veterinary Service.

Anderson originally planned to be a medical doctor, but realized she wouldn't have enough time for the animals she loved and opted for veterinary school.

After graduaating from Iowa State this spring, she is getting used to her new role as a veterinarian.

"I like the difference. I like to be able to make the decision and be responsible for the health of the animals," Anderson said.

Dr. Wayne Jacobs has experienced both ends of the spectrum by working for 25 years at a larger practice in California and then moving to Barnesville, Minn., in 1995.

After 37 years in practice, the 64-year-old doctor's eyes still light up when he talks about helping animals.

"I enjoy both the animals and the people. It's just really a fun, interesting profession," he said.

Date: 8/22/05