You can make externships possible for our veterinary students and help care for shelter animals at the same time.
Featured Fund for Day of Giving
The Community & Shelter Medicine Program Support fund gives veterinary students hands-on clinical experience while improving the wellbeing of animals across Ohio. The fund expands student access to externships, strengthens community partnerships and enhances animal care in underserved areas.
Why Your Gift Matters
Your support provides veterinary students with transformative externship experiences at partner shelters in Columbus, Dayton and Cleveland. During a seven-week “shelter bootcamp,” students learn critical skills including spay/neuter surgeries, preventative medicine, animal intake procedures and adoption readiness. They also become Fear Free Shelter Certified, gaining training in behavior assessment and stress-reduction techniques.
These externships are highly competitive. This year saw 27 applicants for just 8 spots; so additional funding will directly increase opportunities. The fund also supports new community clinic days, which bring low-cost veterinary care to underserved populations and improve animal welfare across Ohio.
Impact in Action
Through partnerships with shelters across the state, students participate fully in shelter operations during their summer externships. They gain immersive experience in medical care, animal intake and adoption processes, supported by a stipend that allows them to focus entirely on learning.
These externships also meet a critical community need: fewer than half of animal shelters in the United States have a veterinarian on staff. Increasing the number of veterinarians with shelter medicine experience expands access to lifesaving care for animals in need. Healthy, well-cared-for animals create stronger, happier communities and offer companionship that enhances overall wellbeing.
About the Veterinary Medical Center
The Veterinary Medical Center’s mission is to serve the state of Ohio by supporting the clinical education of veterinary students and advancing animal wellbeing through a state-of-the-art medical facility. The Center is dedicated to delivering high-level veterinary care, assisting referring veterinarians and fostering a compassionate, professional and team-oriented environment.
| Rank | State | Gifts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NONE | 0 |
| 1 | AA | 0 |
| 1 | AE | 0 |
