Award grants $10,000 to grassroots financial aid program

Photo: Seventyfour/Adobe Stock

The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC) recently announced a grassroots program that offers support to individuals, groups, and organizations worldwide that have positively impacted the global veterinary community and animal welfare, as the recipient of its 2024 NAVC Gives grant award.

NAVC Gives accepts applications year-round and has awarded $55,000 since granting its first awards in January 2023. This year, the NAVC granted the award to the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree (VIGT), a program that provides financial help to veterinary professionals and their families during the winter holiday season. As part of its support of VIGT’s contributions to the veterinary community, the NAVC is granting the program $10,000.

The VIGT program was founded in 2020 by 3 veterinary technicians: Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT; Lily Preston, RVT; and Crystal Vaquera, CVT. VIGT invites anonymous nominations for veterinary professionals who are struggling financially due to accidents, unforeseen illnesses, or other factors. The initiative seeks to alleviate financial strain during particularly challenging periods, like the holiday season, when expenses can accumulate, and extra support can significantly impact families. It also encourages veterinary professionals to help one another during difficult times.

“The entire team at The Veterinary Industry Giving Tree is deeply honored and profoundly grateful to have received this award,” said Mossor, in the release.¹ “The unwavering support from our profession and community has been the driving force behind our mission. It is the collective effort of those who have stepped forward to give, as well as those who have nominated themselves or others, that has made this achievement possible. We sincerely appreciate every individual who has supported us, from planting the initial seed to nurturing the growth of our tree.”

Since its launch, VIGT has assisted approximately 150 families and individuals, including veterinary professionals dealing with unexpected cancer diagnoses, the challenges of single parenting, and the struggle to manage rising costs for essential needs. According to the program's founders, the NAVC Gives award will help VIGT achieve its goal of supporting a record of 50 families this year.¹

“Everyone knows the feeling of leaning on a veterinary professional for strength, reassurance or even emotional support when their pet faces a medical issue. But these individuals are sometimes facing their own medical or financial challenges while focusing their attention on others,” Gene O’Neill, CEO of NAVC, said in a news release.¹ “The Veterinary Industry Giving Tree is a perfect example of a grassroots program that gives back to these professionals when they need it most, and with the devastating impact Hurricane Helene has had on so many people, this extra support is especially needed now.”

VIGT’s priority this year is to help families or individuals in Western North Carolina and other regions impacted by Hurricane Helene,¹ joining other organizations’ efforts to help the veterinary world following the effects of Hurricane Helene.

Earlier this month, dozens of members from the Texas A&M Veterinary Emergency Team traveled to North Carolina to provide care for search and rescue working dogs while these canines worked in difficult conditions.² Moreover, on October 2, 2024, Purina announced a grant of $25,000 to Greater Good Charities to help provide food, medical supplies, hygiene kits, and transportation to safety for pets affected by the hurricane.³

References

1. NAVC Gives awards $10,000 to the Veterinary Industry Giving Tree. News release. North American Veterinary Community. October 8, 2024. Accessed October 17, 2024. https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/news-releases/navc-gives-awards-10-000-to-the-veterinary-industry-giving-tree-302270525.html 
2. Coppock K. Veterinary Emergency Team deploys to North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene. dvm360. October 3, 2024. Accessed October 17, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/veterinary-emergency-team-deploys-to-north-carolina-in-the-wake-of-hurricane-helene
3. Littrell A. Pet care brands provide support for pets impacted by Hurricane Helene. dvm360. October 4, 2024. Accessed October 17, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/pet-care-brands-provide-support-for-pets-impacted-by-hurricane-helene