Veterinary students in Georgia learn to care for struggling honeybee colonies.

In April, veterinary students at the University of Georgia donned protective suits to inspect honeybee hives, highlighting the increasing emphasis on bee care in veterinary education. According to The New York Times, the university's teaching hospital is equipping future veterinarians to address more than just traditional pets like dogs and cats. This initiative comes amid rising honeybee losses, which threaten the essential pollinators vital to the food supply. The honeybee medicine program includes a bee club, a treatment crew, and a three-week elective, led by Dr. Jörg Mayer, an exotic-animal veterinarian. The U.S. lost over half of its managed honeybee colonies during the 2024-25 season, raising alarms since honeybees contribute to pollinating approximately $15 billion worth of crops annually, including over 130 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and nuts.