AAVMC Partners with Zoetis in Veterinary Student Scholarship Program

WASHINGTON, May 7, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) will work with Zoetis to administer the Zoetis Veterinary Student Scholarship Program, a major source of financial support for veterinary medical students enrolled at accredited universities in the United States and Caribbean.

Since the program was started, Zoetis has provided more than $3.6 million to more than 1,100 veterinary students. This year, the program provided a total of $904,000 in the form of $2,000 grants to 452 second- and third-year students selected from among more than 1,600 applicants. 

"Zoetis makes a major contribution to the future success of veterinary medicine by providing financial resources for our students through this scholarship program, and we're pleased to be able to join with them as a partner," said Dr. Kent Hoblet, president of the AAVMC and dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Mississippi State University. "We're grateful to Zoetis for what they do, and for the example they set."

Zoetis chose to partner with AAVMC on the basis of the organization's proximity to the students they are attempting to assist with the scholarship program. AAVMC works closely with the college administrators and students that are involved with the program.

"We welcome this opportunity to work with Zoetis on this remarkable program," said AAVMC Executive Director Dr. Andrew Maccabe. "From resource development to helping prepare our students for success in the modern practice environment, our corporate partners play a significant role in veterinary medical education. We're excited about the opportunity to help our students at the same time we're helping Zoetis realize their philanthropic goals."

Scholarship awards are made to students on the basis of several different criteria, including academic excellence, professional interests, financial need, diversity, leadership and the candidate's potential to contribute to the future wellbeing of the profession, according to Zoetis officials.

Distribution of scholarship funds to individual colleges is based on enrollment of second- and third-year students. The application period for the scholarships runs from October 1 through the Sunday after Thanksgiving every year. Award distributions will be made the following April.

"We're thrilled to affiliate with the AAVMC in the administration of this program," said Vanessa Mariani, director of Innovation and Strategic Initiatives, Cattle & Equine, Zoetis US. "We think supporting new generations of veterinarians is a strategic way to invest in the future of the profession, and the AAVMC is well-positioned to help us do that."

The scholarship program is part of Zoetis' "Commitment to Veterinarians" platform, a broad-based initiative that seeks to advance the profession through professional development and philanthropic programs. Zoetis recently unveiled a new program designed for students called VetVance, a web-based online educational resource for emerging professionals that provides important information about financing educational costs and achieving professional success.

The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) is a nonprofit membership organization working to protect and improve the health and welfare of animals, people and the environment by advancing academic veterinary medicine. Its members include 35 veterinary medical colleges in the United States and Canada, nine departments of veterinary science, eight departments of comparative medicine, thirteen international colleges of veterinary medicine, and six affiliate colleges of veterinary medicine: www.aavmc.org

Zoetis (zo-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2013, the company generated annual revenue of $4.6 billion. With approximately 9,800 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2014, Zoetis has a local presence in approximately 70 countries, including 28 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries. Its products serve veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

Zoetis is the proud sponsor, with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, of the mobile educational exhibit Animal Connections: Our Journey Together. Families visiting the exhibit will explore the vast bonds between people and animals and learn about the important role veterinarians play in protecting animal and human health. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com/animal-connections-tour

SOURCE Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC)