Scholarship program for veterinary students from underserved communities open for applications

Photo: VectorMine/Adobe Stock

The application period for the Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program, a program for second-year veterinary students from underserved backgrounds, is now open. The program will grant selected students with financial support, help them develop their leadership skills, and provide them with resources aimed at helping them during their remaining years in veterinary school and into the next phase of their careers, according to Chewy.¹

The program, created in collaboration with Chewy Health and the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC), will award 15 students each with a $20,000 scholarship. Funds will be paid directly to their educational institutions through the AAVMC.

Additionally, recipients will have access to mental health support through bi-monthly peer support group conversations, networking opportunities, and discussions on topics selected by the students. These sessions will be led by a trained third-party MentorVet individual.

After graduation, these students will receive a scholarship to participate in MentorVet Leap, a 6-month early career program focused on veterinary mentorship and professional development offering evidence-based solutions. Students will also have the option to join the Chewy Veterinary Leaders alumni network.¹

"The program takes a holistic approach to scholarship funding, mentorship, peer networking, and in-person experiences, which are essential to honing these students' hard and soft skills. We are proud to be making a lasting impact that will carry them well into their professional careers," said Dorothy Gray, interim CEO of AAVMC, in a news release.¹

Applications are now open and will be accepted through November 4, 2024. To apply, students must submit the following to AAVMC²:

• One letter of nomination from the dean of the school or college
• Academic documents, including resume or curriculum vitae (CV) and unofficial transcript
• A personal statement, no longer than 300 words, describing how the student hopes to become a veterinary leader and what their background, identity, interests, or talents will contribute to the veterinary community
• Documentation of financial need

“After seeing the incredible response from this year's Chewy Veterinary Leaders, we are excited to welcome the next class of students to apply,” said Mita Malhotra, president, Chewy Health in the release.¹ “Diversity drives innovation, which we believe will shape stronger teams, better culture, and the future of veterinary care.”

The Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program is one of Chewy’s latest initiatives to address some of the current issues in the veterinary profession. This summer, Chewy Health partnered with VetPrep to offer veterinary students a free 12-week North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) preparation bootcamp amid a current downward trend in NAVLE test scores.³

References

1. Chewy Health and AAVMC open applications for Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program. News release. Chewy. October 1, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. [email]
2. Chewy Veterinary Leaders Program. Chewy Health. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://awards.aavmc.org/docs/aavmc/Chewy_info_2024_25.pdf
3. Bautista-Alejandre A. Free NAVLE sessions are planned. dvm360. August 7, 2024. Accessed October 3, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/free-navle-preparation-sessions-to-come