New AVMF grants provide COVID-19 relief to technicians, assistants

The American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF) is accepting applications for a new grant program supporting veterinary technicians and assistants who are suffering financially in the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program is funded by $200,000 in donations from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Zoetis, and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA). AVMF officials are challenging others across our profession to join the effort by contributing to extend the program’s reach. The program will provide eligible veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants a one-time $500 grant to help meet immediate needs, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Learn more on the AVMF website.

Giving challenge: Can you help?

Veterinary technicians and assistants serve critical roles on the veterinary healthcare team, and the AVMA family is proud to support them alongside our partners. In addition to the $200,000 starting donation, the AVMF has set a goal to raise $200,000 more for the program from individual donors. Donations can be made at avmf.org/Donate. Apply the gift to this program by choosing “COVID-19 Disaster Relief Support” as you fill out the form.

The veterinary profession is a caring community, and times of hardship make that especially apparent. Time and again, in emergencies, the AVMF has rallied the profession together in support of needy colleagues. The COVID-19 pandemic presents extraordinary challenges, and if you can afford to make a donation, we urge you to join in supporting this program.

Your help will allow the AVMF to extend grant support to many more technicians and assistants in this time of need.

Existing disaster relief for veterinarians

The new program is intended specifically to help veterinary technicians and assistants. The AVMF also provides two existing disaster relief grant programs that help meet the personal and professional needs of veterinarians and veterinary students impacted by disasters, including COVID-19. One is a reimbursement program for charitable veterinary medical care provided during a disaster, and the other provides grants to veterinarians and veterinary students experiencing personal need due to a disaster.

More details and applications for all AVMF disaster relief programs can be found on the AVMF website.

To help veterinarians impacted by disasters like COVID-19, consider donating in support of these existing relief programs. When giving at avmf.org/Donate, choose “Disaster Relief” from the relevant dropdown to apply your gift to these programs.

Give now

To see other AVMA resources related to the pandemic, visit AVMA's dedicated COVID-19 website.