PARSIPPANY, N.J. / Apr 25, 2024 / Business Wire / As we celebrate World Veterinary Day, the Zoetis Foundation is proud to support veterinarians around the world today and everyday by providing grant support to initiatives promoting veterinary education, mental well-being, and livelihoods. Recognizing the invaluable role veterinarians and veterinary technicians play in advancing animal health, the Foundation is committed to helping cultivate a thriving, inclusive veterinary profession.

“By investing in veterinary education, mental health resources and capacity-building, we can support the well-being of the veterinarians our communities depend on and help ensure the profession is well-equipped to meet the growing needs of today and in the future,” said Jeannette Ferran Astorga, President of the Zoetis Foundation and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Communications and Sustainability at Zoetis. “The Zoetis Foundation is honored to continue our commitment to advancing opportunities for veterinarians around the world.”

To date, the Zoetis Foundation has committed $18.7 million to advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers worldwide, fund humanitarian relief efforts and support colleague matching gifts. Key grantees supporting veterinarians include the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, and the World Food Program.

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)

In the United States, scholarship funding to the AAVMC helps prepare a diverse, global community of future veterinary leaders with the knowledge, tools and experiences they’ll need to succeed. Specifically, the Foundation provides grant support to fund the Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Dr. Catherine A. Knupp Scholarship and the Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship Program. From 2021 to 2023, the Zoetis Foundation disbursed $4.4 million in funding to support the Veterinary Student Scholarship Program—impacting 800+ students.

“As a first-generation Hispanic woman and member of the LGBTQIA+ community, this financial assistance holds profound significance. It symbolizes more than just monetary support; it signifies acknowledgement and encouragement to pursue my dreams despite the obstacles I may encounter along the way,” said Rebekah Morgan, Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine DVM Candidate and Zoetis Foundation/AAVMC Veterinary Student Scholarship recipient.

Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE)

Across Europe, the Foundation provides grant support to FVE to help promote mental well-being and DEI in veterinary workplaces. Through high-quality and easily accessible resources, guidance, and coaching, FVE empowers workplaces to meet the pressing challenges of veterinary mental well-being and DEI as it relates to staff retention, business operations, and providing quality service. Taking a two-prong approach, FVE will develop and disseminate high-quality, free resources including courses on mental well-being and DEI and offer access to a network of reputable coaches and mentors for early career veterinarians.

"Cultivating a diverse and inclusive environment within veterinary workplaces is essential for the well-being of both professionals and the animals they serve,” says Siegfried Moder, FVE President. “We are grateful for the support of the Zoetis Foundation, which will allow us to build online tools to foster thriving workplaces that prioritize mental well-being, champion inclusion for underrepresented groups, and ensure the delivery of exceptional care."

World Food Program USA

In Kenya and Ethiopia, the Zoetis Foundation provides grant funding to deliver financial and veterinary services to help build resilience among livestock farmers in support of the United Nations World Food Programme’s mission to fight hunger. In an area where over 10 million farmers are at risk of severe food insecurity and poverty, this funding helps empower an estimated 350 veterinary service providers to increase access to quality animal healthcare and productivity resources — ultimately helping to build a thriving farmers community and strengthening the economic security of the region. To date, the program has reached over 43,000 farmers and provided crucial veterinary services to nearly 55,000 animals.

"As a veterinary officer in Kenya, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of funding focused on access to veterinary services and livestock insurance,” said John Koske, Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Livestock and Pastoral Economy, based in Isiolo County, Kenya. “I am grateful for the support provided by this program as it not only benefits the animals but also empowers pastoralists to secure their livelihoods and build resilience against economic shocks.”

To learn more about the Zoetis Foundation and its grantees, visit the website. Announced in 2021, the Zoetis Foundation is committed to its goal of $35 million in grants distributed by the end of 2025 to advance opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Zoetis Foundation is a private charitable organization and is solely funded by Zoetis Inc., with distinct legal requirements and restrictions.

About the Zoetis Foundation

The Zoetis Foundation supports communities and the people who care for animals, with a specific focus on advancing opportunities for veterinarians and farmers around the world. The Foundation’s grantmaking and strategic efforts provide access to education and mental wellness resources, expand veterinary debt relief, support diversity and inclusion efforts, and enable thriving livelihoods by funding programs that help veterinary practices and farmers adopt sustainable business practices. To learn more about the Foundation, please visit: www.zoetisfoundation.org.