Royal Canin donates $175,000 to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine

This article was updated December 3, 2021 to reflect an increase in monetary donation.

Royal Canin has gifted $175,000 to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine (TUCVM) with a 5-year financial commitment displaying its continuous dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the veterinary field. The donation from Royal Canin was increased to $175,000 a day after a gift of $100,000 was announced.

TUCVM is the only veterinary medical professional program set on a historically black college or university campus inside the United States. According to a company release, the Royal Canin contribution will help support diversity in the veterinary industry by offering discretionary financial support for Tuskegee veterinary students.

“At Royal Canin, we’re driven to create the world we want tomorrow,” said Cecile Coutens, president of Royal Canin North America, in the release. “To achieve this, we must ensure the veterinary talent pipeline more accurately represents our diverse and changing population. We’re proud to support Tuskegee University in its efforts to increase representation in the veterinary industry.”

Royal Canin became a founding member of the Diversity Veterinary Medicine Coalition in 2020 which strives to enhance equity, inclusion, and diversity in the veterinary profession. The company promotes additional inclusion initiatives through multiple internal Associate Resource Groups (ARGs), including Pride, Tu Voz, and the Black Advisory Council.

“The Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine appreciates this intentional and impactful partnership with Royal Canin. Of the thousands of veterinarians in the United States, only 2% are African Americans and of this number, we are proud that 70% are our graduates,” said Ruby L. Perry, DVM, MS, PhD, Diplomate-ACVR, dean of TUCVM.

“Together, we are positioned to provide meaningful support to TUCVM veterinary students to sustain the legacy of training and educating underrepresented minorities as veterinarians in the veterinary profession,” added Perry.

In addition, Royal Canin provides continuing education and eLearning for veterinarians on an array of topics (ie, compassion fatigue) and is an advocate of mental health awareness programs as part of its effort to support the veterinary field and its veterinary partners.

Reference

Royal Canin announces $175,000 gift to Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine. News release. Royal Canin. Updated December 2, 2021. Accessed December 3, 2021.