30 passionate students carefully selected from
hundreds of applications will be joining Banfield hospital teams
across the country for an unforgettable summer of hands-on
veterinary experience
VANCOUVER, Wash., June 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of Banfield
Pet Hospital's ongoing commitment to giving back, building a
stronger future for pet professionals, and diversifying the
veterinary pipeline, the practice is proud to welcome its 2024
NextVet class of interns. With a study from Mars Veterinary Health
finding a shortage of up to 24,000 companion-animal veterinarians
will likely still exist by 2030, and only 10% of veterinary
professionals coming from diverse backgrounds, NextVet aims to help
create a more sustainable and diverse future for the veterinary
profession.
Now in its third year, NextVet provides students ages 16+ with
paid, hands-on experience working with caring hospital teams across
the country to learn first-hand what a career in veterinary
medicine entails. Out of the more than 500 NextVet applications
received this year, 30 interns were carefully selected to put their
love for pets and eagerness to learn into practice over the
summer.
"As industry leaders, Banfield feels a responsibility to invest
in youth-centered programs and initiatives that inspire and create
opportunities for the next generation," said Dr. Alea Harrison, chief medical officer of Banfield
Pet Hospital. "My love for animals started at a young age, but
seeing myself represented in veterinary professionals as a student
is what made me realize I could turn my passion into a career. I'm
endlessly inspired and grateful for our veterinary Associates who
dedicate their time to engage with youth in their communities to
show students interested in STEM what's possible."
Dr. 'Mac,' a veterinarian who has been with Banfield for more
than 23 years, became that figure for Dr. Harrison when he visited
her high school class to share more about careers in veterinary
medicine. They recently sat down to share the inspiring story of
how this chance encounter years ago helped kickstart Dr. Harrison's
career.
When asked about future goals and the impact she hopes to make
throughout her career, 2024 NextVet intern Sarah – who will be
joining the Banfield team in Houston,
TX this summer – shares how she plans to become a
veterinarian to provide much-needed representation and connection
in her community:
"Growing up, I never saw a Latino veterinarian.
It inspired me to become one and to increase representation in the
field, especially in a diverse city like Houston where Latinos are a significant
population. I've observed language barriers in underserved areas,
which creates challenges between doctors and pet owners. I know it
would mean the world to pet owners everywhere to have a
veterinarian who speaks their language, understands their culture,
and shares their experiences."
NextVet's impact extends beyond hospital walls
Having
previously hosted two classes of interns, NextVet alumni continue
to dream big, honing the skills they learned during their
internship while earning veterinary degrees and working in Banfield
hospitals across the country. For example:
- 2023 NextVet intern and now Harvard
student Alessia returned home for college break to work with her
local Banfield team, which happens to be the same hospital 2024
intern Sara will be stationed at this summer, providing unique
development and coaching opportunities for both students.
- 2023 intern Shelby is now a veterinary student at Duke University working on an individualized degree
program and graduation with distinction research.
- 2022 intern Chantia just completed her second year at
Fort Valley State University (FVSU), a
Historically Black College/University and 1890 Land Grant
University studying veterinary technology.
- 2022 intern Elias – who is working at a Banfield in
Atlanta until he attends
Tuskegee University this fall – first
heard about NextVet at his Boys & Girls Club and was named Boys
& Girls Clubs of America's 2022-2023 Georgia State Youth of the
Year.
Inspiring future veterinary professionals in local
communities
This year, Banfield is thrilled to continue an
ongoing, national partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of
America. Established in 2021, Banfield's partnership with Boys
& Girls Clubs of America enables veterinarians and veterinary
technicians to reach K-12 students from underrepresented
backgrounds through career outreach events.
This year's class of NextVet interns includes Boys & Girls
Club student Erandy, who will be joining Banfield's Tempe, AZ hospital this summer and heard about
the opportunity through the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley's
AZYouthforce program.
This partnership builds on the work of Banfield Pet
Academy®, a program established 15 years ago to inspire
future veterinary professionals by introducing them to veterinary
professionals in their community. Since its launch, the program has
reached 120,000 youth to date.
Banfield has made all three editions of Banfield Pet Academy
curriculum for elementary, middle and high school students
available at no cost to the entire industry. Veterinary
professionals can learn more on Banfield Exchange.
About Banfield Pet Hospital®
Banfield Pet Hospital was founded in Portland, Ore. in 1955 and today is a pioneer
in preventive veterinary care with more than 1,000 general
veterinary hospitals in 42 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Mexico. Every year, Banfield's veterinary
teams provide high-quality veterinary care to over three million
pets, including more than 2 million Optimum Wellness Plan clients.
As part of the Mars Veterinary Health family of practices,
Banfield's 20,000 Associates nationwide are committed to positively
impacting society through the Banfield Gives Back program and
advancing veterinary medicine in service of our purpose — A BETTER
WORLD FOR PETS® — because pets make a better world
for us. Press seeking additional information are invited to call
the Media Hotline: (888) 355-0595.
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SOURCE Banfield Pet Hospital