Summer 2016

For more than 50 years, the Foundation has been supporting education, research, service and advocacy programs for veterinarians and the public to ensure the health and welfare of animals.

MERCK ANIMAL HEALTH GIVES $185,000 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!The Merck Animal Health Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, in its third year, supported 34 outstanding students on their path to becoming veterinarians.

“As a company rooted in science, we recognize and value the vital role veterinarians play in our world,” said Scott Bormann, Vice President, North America, Merck Animal Health.

“Veterinary students’ future success is dependent on the educational foundation that we help them build. The support we offer now will not only benefit them, but also the animals and people they will impact during their careers. Merck Animal Health is proud to help support these deserving students in their educational pursuits.”

American Veterinary Medical Foundation

To read more about all of the 2016 scholarship recipients visit AVMF.org

The AVMF/Merck Animal Health scholarship means that I get to be a part of a group of students that also want to make a difference in their school and community.

Melissa Wilson2016 Scholarship Recipient

JOIN THE LEGACY SOCIETY: Support the Future of Veterinary MedicineLeave your legacy beyond the science and practice of veterinary medicine. Support the next generation with a gift to the AVMF through your will or estate plan.

For more information on planned giving, please contact Debborah Harp at 847-285-6773 or dharp@avma.org.

S E R V I C E I N T H E C O M M U N I T Y2

The Veterinary Care Charitable Fund is a program created by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation to provide veterinarians with a simple and effective way to offer charitable veterinary services to clients facing personal hardships, as well as a means to support animals rescued from abuse and neglect. The AVMF serves as your hospital’s charitable umbrella capable of accepting donations and dispersing payments back to the hospital for the charitable care provided.

Enrollment is easy and free for all AVMA member veterinarians.

DISCOVER MORE at AVMF.org/care

Meet Cynthia Syverson-MercerCynthia is the Director of Marketing and Catalog Sales for National/Swift Optical. For more than a decade, Cynthia has made personal gifts to the Foundation and served as a volunteer on both the AVMF Scholarship and Grant Review Committees. The AVMF salutes Ms. Syverson-Mercer for her dedication to the field of veterinary medicine.

Volunteering for the AVMF can be a fun and rewarding way to make a difference in the lives of animals and the people who care for them.

Please complete the Volunteer Survey found at AVMF.org

Donations Help Family After Devastating Fire

When Cocoa the brown Labrador arrived at the Avets Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty Clinic, he had just been rescued by volunteer fire fighters from the smoke and flames that had engulfed the Karafa family home. Fortunately the family was unharmed, but Cocoa was the only one of the family’s three beloved dogs who survived. In the face of such devastating loss, the family did not have the funds to pay for Cocoa’s treatment for smoke inhalation. The clinic is enrolled in the Veterinary Care Charitable Fund and was able to help cover the costs for the pup’s care. Cocoa, who has now become even more precious to the family, is on the road to recovery and doing well.

V O L U N T E E R P R O F I L E

3Y O U R G I F T S I N A C T I O N

Matthew Holland, SAVMA President (2016-2017)

SUPPORT FOR “ALL For Students” REACHES $333,000!

“Two of my favorite things about veterinary medicine are improving agricultural policy and building a stronger profession for the generations that follow. I had the opportunity to pursue both during this externship, contributing to the AVMA’s policy on judicious antimicrobial use and also participating in member and public education on the subject. I’m grateful for this experience and would recommend it to any veterinary student.”

Achieving, Leading and Learning (ALL) for StudentsThanks to the AVMA family of donors, student chapters of the AVMA will use this generous funding to provide programming in four key areas: Leadership, Wellness, Professional Development and Community Outreach. Students attending veterinary school in the U.S. and abroad will benefit by taking part in events throughout the year.

AV M A S T U D E N T E X T E R N S H I P S

Student AVMA leaders showing their appreciation

4 M A K I N G A D I F F E R E N C E AV M F . O R G

Alabama - October 1: Ag Heritage Park, Auburn University – Demonstrations and activities on pet wellness and disaster preparedness

California - October 23: Central Park, Davis, CA – “Animal Adopt-a-thon” with free exams and vaccinations

Connecticut - October 29 - 30: New Britain, CT – “The Big Fix” services for pets including sterilization surgeries, physical exams, and vaccinations

Kentucky - October 22: Bell County Animal Shelter renovation

Massachusetts - October 4: Worcester, MA – Pet wellness exams, vaccinations, and education on pet care

New York - August 25 - September 5: New York State Fair Hall of Veterinary Health – includes “Ask a Veterinarian” with exhibits and interactive displays

Ohio - November 12: Columbus, OH – Veterinary care for pet owners who are elderly, disabled, or homeless

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The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is a nonprofit 501 (c)( 3) charitable organization. Founded in 1963, the AVMF is the charitable arm of the American Veterinary Medical Association. All donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Worcester, MA The Cummings Community Outreach Program has provided free wellness exams, vaccines and veterinary education to the residents of Worcester Housing Authority since 2008. With support from the AVMF, the program expanded in 2015 to provide services to 92 community residents and their 140 companion animals.

Because the event was held within the community, residents could bypass the transportation and financial barriers that had previously prevented them from accessing the veterinary medical care their beloved pets needed.

2016 OUR OATH IN ACTION™ DAY EVENTS

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One of the many children at the event happy to take home a healthy pet.