Professors and admissions officers at Cornell University have long noticed the decreased interest in large animal care. But the school has chosen to do something about it.

"The college recognizes it has a duty to serve the broad interest of New York state," said Rick Hackett, chair of the department of clinical sciences at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

To address the problem of a shrinking number of large animal vets to serve New York's large agricultural base, Cornell has instituted a program of preferential admissions for students who express interest in going into food animal, or dairy, medicine.

"It provides students with a background and interest a boost in admissions," Hackett said.

The college graduated its third class with preferential admissions. But sometimes it's difficult to keep students' interest in large animals through veterinary school, Hackett said.

About 75 percent of Cornell's curriculum is the same for large and small animal concentrations and includes basic science and clinical experience.

"We want to graduate a vet with a broad interest," Hackett said.

The students get experience with all sized animals, and sometimes students' focuses change.

But another program Cornell has started - the Summer Dairy Institute - gives students between their third and fourth year of school and new graduates a chance to immerse themselves in bovine care.

Students spend several weeks learning medical issues and problems in the dairy industry. The program is not just open to Cornell students.

"It's almost a boot camp for dairy practitioners," Hackett said. "It's an opportunity to tune these students up to a high level of performance of dairy experience."

The Summer Dairy Institute will run from May 31 to July 23 this summer. For more information, visit www.vet.cornell.edu.