If you could tell your UF Veterinary HERO one thing, what would it be?

World Veterinary Day is a globally observed holiday to highlight and promote the lifesaving work performed by veterinary professionals worldwide

Saturday, April 27, 2024, is World Veterinary Day, a globally observed holiday to highlight and promote the lifesaving work performed by veterinary professionals worldwide. It provides a special moment for people like us to honor our pet’s veterinary care teams.

Vicki Ford, Client of the UF Small Animal Hospital

My story began twenty years ago. My Miniature Pincher, Coffee, was a national champion in agility competitions. Unable to find relief for Coffee’s acute back pain, a friend recommended an acupuncture specialist. With the first treatment, I was amazed at how quickly Coffee responded and continued to improve.

This was when I began to see things in a new light. Football players and many other top-competing athletes recovered from strenuous workouts through massage, chiropractic, and acupuncture therapies – why not dog athletes? I planted the monetary seeds needed to establish an acupuncture and rehabilitation service at the UF Small Animal Hospital. I am delighted with how integrative medicine has evolved and blossomed at UF.

Through this process of integrative giving, innovative treatments will continue to help animals like Coffee and many others who benefit from thinking outside the box. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel if you have a similar passion and want to support animal care. You can simply build on what others have started — and together, we can keep the momentum going to achieve great things.

In celebration of World Veterinary Day, I want to thank the compassionate and talented teams at the UF Small Animal Hospital. One of the many things I love is how they collaborate and work together as a team- with the care of your pet as their top priority.

If you could tell your UF veterinary care hero one thing, what would it be?

Please share your message of gratitude in honor of your UF veterinarian, resident, intern, staff member, student, or anyone who made your visit to one of the UF Veterinary Hospitals memorable. Please also consider making a gift as your support helps the UF College of Veterinary Medicine create the next generation of veterinarians while continuing to provide compassionate care to pets and their owners.

In celebration of World Veterinary Day on Saturday, April 27, please consider making a gift. A donation of any size will honor your UF veterinary hero and support the most critical needs of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.