While many of his former veterinary school classmates enjoy jobs in the comfortable confines of house-pet clinics, Stubblefield spends his days — and some of his nights — in barns, corrals and windy, snow-covered pastures. That makes the 35-year-old animal doctor a rare breed. Rare enough that the federal government is handing out $6 million a year in subsidies to attract newcomers to the shrinking field of large-animal veterinary medicine. The Department of Agriculture's new program awards up to $25,000 annually for four years in tuition-loan reimbursements for veterinarians who commit to work in underserved rural areas. It's modeled after a similar program to induce medical doctors to serve in outlying regions. Agricultural experts say the need for the incentive is clear. Stubblefield is one of two Colorado veterinarians selected in 2010 for the USDA financial award. The other, Dr. Shane Porter, practices in Elbert and Lincoln counties. Nationwide, another 60 vets were chosen to receive the grants, based on studies that determined the most underserved regions for large-animal medicine...
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