The University of Minnesota, College of Veterinary Medicine, in partnership with local animal welfare groups, aims to create an innovative model to care for the animals within our communities. In addition to supporting community health, this process will train the next generation of veterinarians to provide responsive and responsible veterinary care to the entire community.
Our vision
Focus on preventive and early intervention veterinary services
Many animal owners face barriers to seeking veterinary care, causing them to delay care until their animal(s) are in a health crisis. Barriers include financial, domestic violence, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and geographic scarcity of veterinary services. We are improving access to routine veterinary care and early triage of medical and behavioral concerns
Our program empowers pet owners to maintain health and wellness for their animals, and keeps animals healthy and in their homes.
Training future veterinarians to be effective advocates and practitioners
The barriers to improving animal health can also affect animal owners. Veterinarians often witness the impacts first hand.
Our program provides future veterinarians with the tools and knowledge to advocate for their clients and work effectively in these environments.
Training veterinarians
Veterinarians are trained to offer the most appropriate care for their patients. Experienced vets have learned there are often several ways to treat illness. We train future veterinarians so they have these skills on their first day of practice.
Through classroom instruction and hands-on experiences, our students gain the competency and confidence needed to effectively communicate with a wide variety of animal owners with cultural humility, compassion and empathy, and medical integrity. Our students learn to slowly build client trust, and to develop a care plan that works for the owner and their animal.
Our partnership programs support animal health and wellness, which can improve the lives of animals and their people.
Our goals
Sustain an innovative model of companion animal care by integrating Spectrum of Care competencies into existing coursework while also expanding immersive learning opportunities through community partnerships.
Build a more holistic approach to teaching veterinary medicine that includes skills like cross-cultural communication, creative thinking, partnership building, and resource identification.
Showcase a local model for community medicine that incorporates veterinary care, veterinary student training, and animal welfare into the broader community health plan.
Want to learn more? Contact Jennifer Genzler-Scholl at [email protected]