Hill’s Pet Nutrition, American Veterinary Medical Foundation Team Up to Support Disaster Relief in Louisiana and Scholarships at Tuskegee College of Veterinary Medicine

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is funding disaster relief for people and animals impacted by Hurricane Ida, thanks to gifts from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the AVMF and individual donors.

Hill’s donated $10,000 to the AVMF to support disaster relief work by the Louisiana State Animal Response Team (LSART), and the gift is being matched by an equal amount from the AVMF’s disaster funds for a total of $20,000. In addition to funding relief work by organizations such as LSART, the AVMF provides individual grants that help veterinarians, veterinary students, and animals needing medical care in times of disaster.

“Hill’s Disaster Relief Network has already partnered with multiple organizations to donate over 126,000 pounds of food to feed pets impacted by the storm. We are now providing support for veterinary professionals in Louisiana who were affected by Hurricane Ida through this partnership with the AVMF,” said Dr. Jolle Kirpensteijn, Chief Professional Veterinary Officer, Hill’s Pet Nutrition US. “Our hearts go out to all of the people and pets impacted by the storm, and we hope this funding will aid in the efforts of those working tirelessly to care for animals in need.”

“We are grateful to Hill’s for helping our Foundation support people and animals in Louisiana at this time of great need,” said Dr. Douglas Kratt, Chair of the AVMF and Immediate Past President of the AVMA. “We also thank the generous AVMA members who have stepped up to support their fellow members with donations in the aftermath of this devastating storm.” To donate, please visit https://www.avmf.org/forms/donate-to-avmf/.

The two leaders also announced an additional donation to the Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) scholarship program originally established in August 2020. Hill’s new gift of $30,000 is being matched by the AVMF, for a total of $60,000 in new donations. TUCVM, which since its founding has educated 70 percent of the nation’s Black veterinarians, selects the scholarship awardees.

“We are thankful for the collective generosity of Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to extend an additional $60,000 to assist our students in achieving their dreams of receiving their veterinary medical education here at Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. This intentional partnership enables us to continue to advance TUCVM’s legacy to embrace and promote diversity, equity and inclusion in our beloved profession,” said Dr. Ruby L. Perry, dean of TUCVM.

“Our continued support for the AVMF/Hill’s Pet Nutrition Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Fund allows underrepresented students to be successful in their careers as veterinary professionals,” said Dr. Kirpensteijn of Hill’s Pet Nutrition, “and we are delighted that AVMF is matching our grants. We hope it will stimulate others to do the same.” Donations can be made at https://www.avmf.org/forms/donate-to-avmf/.

“Tuskegee plays a pivotal role in the veterinary profession as it educates the future pipeline of veterinarians,” added Dr. Kratt of the AVMF and AVMA. “Disaster relief and scholarships are both significant priorities for the Foundation, and Hill’s support of these efforts is both exciting and inspiring.”

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Posted by chesliepickett on Sep 24 2021. Filed under Health & Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.