Volunteering with veterinary organizations can offer unique experiences outside the clinic to improve the lives of humans and animals. Volunteering can enhance veterinary skills, forge connections with like-minded individuals, and make a positive impact on the community or the world. Research has shown that volunteering can also improve mental and physical health.1,2
There is no right way to volunteer; even a small amount of time can make a big difference. We spoke with 3 veterinarians who have found ways to give back that fit their busy schedules.
Caring for Pets With Families but No Homes
Kyrie Ivanovich, DVM, a full-time emergency veterinarian, volunteers with the Boulder and Longmont Street Dog Coalition (see Get Involved) team in Boulder, Colorado. Dr. Ivanovich serves as a team lead, organizes clinics, recruits volunteers, and networks with local service providers to help support patients. Dr. Ivanovich discovered Street Dog Coalition when she was in veterinary school and spends ≈10 hours each month volunteering. “My time and network of veterinary professionals are my most valuable contributions,” she says.
“We open doors of understanding and empathy when we put the chaos of our jobs aside and take time to actively listen and interact with the community,” says Dr. Ivanovich of her time with Street Dog Coalition. “No matter who you are or what your skill set is, we should all take time to slow down and listen, bring kindness to others, and help improve the lives of our neighbors.”
Spreading Awareness About Mental Health Support in Veterinary Medicine
Ashley Shaw, DVM, a quality assurance specialist for Instinct Science, volunteers with Not One More Vet (NOMV; see Get Involved). “Working in the clinic, I saw firsthand the reasons NOMV exists and why it is needed,” says Dr. Shaw. “I stayed involved because even though I'm not in the clinic anymore, I’m still aware of the difficulties veterinarians face. My current work environment is culturally welcoming, safe, and comfortable, and I want to help those working in clinics have access to this type of environment as well.”
As part of the support NOMV offers to veterinary professionals, the organization hosts monthly webinars. “Even if all you can do is join the call to listen or contribute, that’s okay,” Dr. Shaw explains. “If you want to be part of the bigger initiatives that are discussed, you can reach out and coordinate with the respective individuals.”
For many veterinary professionals, working with patients and clients outside of full-time clinic work is a big ask. For those dealing with burnout, practice-related anxiety, and other challenges, more clinical time sounds less than ideal; however, Dr. Shaw says, “You can contribute as much or as little as you are able. Just spreading awareness about NOMV can be enough. The more people who understand why NOMV exists, the better. That’s how we change veterinary practice culture.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Veterinary Professionals
Kenneth Pierce, DVM, DACVO, volunteers with blendVET’s pathway program (see Get Involved), which allows high school students and their parents to learn more about veterinary medicine as a career.
“I was the only Black male boarded veterinary ophthalmologist in the United States for over a decade,” says Dr. Pierce. “Growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor. I liked animals, but I never considered veterinary medicine until a family member sat me down and asked me to think about it. I then went to volunteer with the only Black veterinarian (at the time) in New Orleans, Louisiana.”
Through blendVET, Dr. Pierce is able to connect with teenagers who have never met veterinarians of their same race or ethnicity or never met a veterinarian at all. Dr. Pierce helps execute blendVET pathway events, which are single-day workshops commonly held in conjunction with veterinary conferences. These events are open to volunteers of all backgrounds and roles, and conference attendees or local veterinary professionals can spend part or all of the day helping out. “A lot of impact can be made on these kids, even just in having a conversation with them,” Dr. Pierce says. “It doesn’t take much more than being present and showing up for them.”
Lifting Each Other Up While Giving Back
“Volunteering for Street Dog Coalition is truly uplifting,” says Dr. Ivanovich. “It is refreshing to step outside of specialty medicine to practice best-fit, street medicine without the constraints of a client’s financial situation. I love seeing veterinarians, veterinary technicians, social workers, human healthcare professionals, human−animal bond advocates, and students come together for those in our community that might not otherwise have access to care.”
“We had a patient who was microchipped in Colorado and found in a shelter all the way in Louisiana,” Dr. Ivanovich says. “The client did not have a physical address or phone number at the time, but because the microchip was registered by our organization, the shelter contacted us, and we were able to reconnect the dog and its owner through our social network.”
Although blendVET pathway events are intended to inspire students and their families to consider veterinary medicine as a career, Dr. Pierce recalls being just as inspired himself. “I was volunteering [in the surgery section], and we were teaching how to tie knots. One of the students was left-handed, and I’m right-handed, so it really made me take a step back and get in that kid’s shoes and figure out the best way to teach him. I could see that he had the drive and desire to master this technique. He kept going back, taking the suture out, and doing it again. Then, after going to another section, he came back and wanted to do more.” Dr. Pierce says what he wants most of all is to let kids know that “no matter what socioeconomic class they’re from, there are opportunities. These kids need to be reaffirmed and empowered—the world is their oyster.”
Get Involved
The Street Dog Coalition
The Street Dog Coalition provides free veterinary care and related services to pets of individuals experiencing homelessness and/or housing vulnerability. Volunteers include veterinarians, veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants, social workers, human healthcare professionals, human–animal bond advocates, and students.
How to Help
Follow The Street Dog Coalition on social media to stay up to date on clinics, events, and opportunities to get involved. Clinics are held in cities across the United States and need volunteers to help with handling dogs and registration.
Not One More Vet
NOMV addresses well-being in veterinary medicine through multiple pathways, including evidence-based peer support, grant programs, mentorship, and research.
How to Help
NOMV volunteers moderate Facebook forums, award grants, organize new programs, speak at events, fundraise, and serve on the Board of Directors. Applications can be found here.
blendVET
blendVET offers training in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (ie, DEIB) for individuals and workplaces in the veterinary community. The blendVET pathway program introduces students of all ages to veterinary medicine as a career.
How to Help
blendVET pathway volunteers can work at stations, speak to parents and high school students at events, organize future events, and provide sponsorship. Volunteer forms can be found here.
Additional Veterinary Volunteer Opportunities
Worldwide Veterinary Service
Since 2003, the Worldwide Veterinary Service has worked around the world to ensure no animal goes uncared for. The UK-based organization’s work includes sending vital aid parcels and mobilizing veterinarians to where they are most needed. They also offer veterinary training for local and international veterinary professionals and students at training centers in India and Thailand.
How to Help
Veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and veterinary students can volunteer to aid animals in one of 15 countries, including Bolivia, Fiji, Thailand, and South Africa.
Mission Rabies
Mission Rabies aims to mitigate the spread of rabies in endemic areas worldwide. They have conducted campaigns and vaccination drives in India, Cambodia, Tanzania, and more. Rabies in humans is usually caused by an infected dog bite, and the disease claims the lives of tens of thousands of humans each year, the majority of whom are children under 15 years of age. Mission Rabies’ goal is to eliminate all human deaths related to rabies.
How to Help
Volunteers can sign up to attend canine vaccination drives to help slow the spread of rabies in endemic areas.
Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society operates the largest sanctuary for homeless animals in the United States and provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs. They hope to decrease the homeless animal population via adoption and reduce the use of euthanasia in animal shelters.
How to Help
Volunteer work can include helping with foster and adoption programs, fundraising events, or animal transport, depending on the needs of your local Best Friends animal sanctuary.
The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance
The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Alliance (HSVMA), a program of the Humane Society of the United States, is a nonprofit organization that responds to large-scale cruelty cases and disasters worldwide, providing rescue, hands-on care, logistics, and expertise when animals are in crises. HSVMA was formed for veterinary professionals wanting to engage in care programs for animals in need and educate the public about animal welfare issues.
How to Help
The HSVMA has multiple opportunities to volunteer, including the Rural Area Veterinary Services, Pets for Life program, and HSVMA advocacy and outreach.