Program for Pet Health Equity

09/11/2025

📢 We’re excited to share our new report: Access to Veterinary Care: Barriers and Insights from Pet Families!

This report builds on the 2018 national study and offers an updated look at the challenges families face when trying to access veterinary services. Shifting economic conditions, changing pet family trends, and the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic all play a role in these barriers.

🐾 What we found:
• Households now have fewer pets on average (2.0, down from 2.2)
• Spay/neuter disparities persist, especially for gifted pets
• Logistical and financial barriers affect families across all income levels
• These barriers often lead to pet surrender, euthanasia, and emotional stress for families

“Access to veterinary care remains a pressing concern for families and veterinary professionals alike,” says Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of PPHE. “This report not only identifies barriers, but also highlights opportunities for better support through community resources and integrated care.”

The findings highlight the urgent need for expanded veterinary care access, local support services, and community-focused outreach to keep pets healthy and families together.

📑 Read the full report here: https://doi.org/10.7290/r1n7sh

09/08/2025

The new AAHA One Health Guidelines (https://www.aaha.org/resources/2025-aaha-one-health-guidelines-navigating-cross-disciplinary-partnerships/) are here to help veterinary practices strengthen communication and collaboration with human healthcare professionals. When we work together across disciplines, everyone benefits—patients, families, and communities.

The guidelines highlight:
🐾 When and how to reach out to other healthcare professionals
🐾 What veterinarians need to know about HIPAA
🐾 How to build and nurture strong, collaborative relationships

Collaboration is at the heart of One Health. Have you worked with human healthcare teams to support a family and their pets? What worked well—or what challenges did you face? Share your experiences below—we’d love to hear your insights!

08/25/2025

Who gets access to vet care—and who gets left behind?
🐾 New research from Canada explores barriers and solutions.

We’re excited to share an article published in Frontiers under our Research Topic: “Access to veterinary care in Canada: A cross-sectional survey of animal healthcare organizations and interventions.”

This study looks at how veterinary services are being provided across Canada, the barriers families face, and the innovative programs working to improve access to care for companion animals.

📖 Read the article here: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1581316

💬 What do you think makes the biggest difference in improving access to veterinary care—policy changes, community-based One Health programs, or financial support models?

We’d love to hear your thoughts!
🐾 Post them here OR join our discussion in our One Health Forum, https://forum.maddiesfund.org/onehealth/home.

08/20/2025

We’re pleased to announce the latest publication in our Frontiers research topic: Intersectionality, Equity-Mindedness, and Access to Care ✨

This article examines how an equity-minded approach—grounded in an understanding of intersectionality—can transform access to care for both people and their companion animals.

Published as part of our ongoing research section with Frontiers in Veterinary Science, this work contributes to the growing dialogue on building more inclusive, responsive systems of care. By looking at how overlapping identities and systemic barriers shape access, we can start building more inclusive, sustainable systems of care.

🔗 Read the full publication here: https://lnkd.in/eUTJGTfv

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

08/13/2025

Veterinary Medicine and the “Lost Pet Owners”

https://online.flippingbook.com/view/323629813/30/

08/08/2025

PPHE Announces New Associate Director of Research

The Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) recently announced that Dr. Claire Schuch has joined the team as Associate Director of Research. In this new role, Schuch will lead efforts to deepen understanding of how pets impact families’ lives and how lack of access to veterinary care affects communities, families, and animal care professionals.

Schuch brings over a decade of experience as a community-engaged researcher, evaluator, and educator with a strong focus on community health and the social drivers of health. Her diverse background spans public education, public health, academia, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector.

Prior to joining PPHE, Schuch served as a Senior Researcher at Decision Information Resources (DIR), where she led culturally responsive, equity-centered projects funded by federal agencies and major philanthropic organizations. She also previously held the role of Director of Planning for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, overseeing demographic analysis, enrollment projections, and boundary planning.

Her past research portfolio includes work funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in areas such as affordable housing, primary care access, domestic violence, nutrition, workforce development, immigrant inclusion, college and career readiness, civic engagement, and substance use prevention.

Schuch holds a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a B.A. in Geography, International Studies, and Community and Global Health from Macalester College. She is multilingual, speaking English, Dutch, and Spanish.

"We are thrilled to welcome Claire to the PPHE team," said Dr. Michael Blackwell, Director of the Program for Pet Health Equity. "Her background in health equity, paired with her commitment to community-centered research and animal well-being, will be instrumental in advancing our mission."

The PPHE team looks forward to the insights and leadership Schuch will bring as the program continues to build solutions that ensure pets and their people can stay together, even when veterinary care is out of reach.

Welcome Dr Schuch!
https://csw.utk.edu/news/the-program-for-pet-health-equity-announces-new-associate-director-of-research/

08/07/2025

🏠🐾 Housing insecurity shouldn’t break the human-animal bond.

Too many families are forced to give up their pets because of housing restrictions.

Read how veterinarians and communities can help keep people and pets together:
👉 https://www.aaha.org/trends-magazine/publications/housing-insecurity-and-the-human-animal-bond/

Housing insecurity can have a devastating impact on the human-animal bond, but veterinarians are in a unique position to help.

08/05/2025

📢 New publication alert!

📚 Have you read "Physician Perceptions and Understanding of Pet Ownership in Healthcare Compliance and Patient Well-Being: A One Health Investigation"?

This insightful study explores how physicians view the impact of pet ownership on healthcare compliance and patient wellness, highlighting the intersection of human and animal health. It's a fascinating read for anyone interested in the One Health approach!

🔗 Check it out here: https://doi.org/10.3389/frhs.2025.1620640
💬 Want to dive deeper into the topic? Join the conversation here: https://forum.maddiesfund.org/onehealth/home

IntroductionPets contribute positively to human mental and physical health outcomes but can also impose financial obligations and personal responsibilities t...

08/05/2025

Integrating human and animal health care increases access to services for homeless youth

At the One Health Clinic, a nurse practitioner and veterinarian, often accompanied by veterinary students, provide primary care services while UW students volunteer as patient navigators, helping to...

07/20/2025

Congratulations Dr Blackwell!

Today, Dr. Michael J. Blackwell, director of the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee and former chief of staff in the Office of Surgeon General of the United States, received the AVMA's 2025 Frederick Douglass Patterson Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the veterinary profession.

"The AVMA is proud to name Dr. Blackwell as this year's Frederick Douglass Patterson award winner," said Dr. Sandra Faeh, AVMA President. "Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Blackwell has been dedicated to the highest ideals of veterinary medicine and to mentoring underrepresented groups across the profession, which has created pathways for advancement and cultivated a more inclusive professional community.

"Dr. Blackwell has not only provided guidance and support, but has actively fostered a culture of inclusion, empowering individuals to achieve their full potential, and has made an enormous impact in educating on access to care," Dr. Faeh added.

Recipients of the Patterson award are recognized for making significant contributions to the veterinary profession through innovative and transformative leadership in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; having demonstrated a commitment to advancing these values within the veterinary profession; and having brought honor and distinction to the field through their exemplary efforts. Read more: https://bit.ly/4kLNbWt

07/15/2025

📢 New publication alert!

“One Health clinic challenges and evolution: increasing access to care for people and pets in a rural community in Northern California” explores how One Health clinics are making a difference in rural communities by improving care for both people and their pets, while also addressing the unique challenges these clinics face.

🔗 Check out the full article here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1599422/full

This article highlights how One Health clinics can bridge critical gaps in rural communities, improving health outcomes for both people and their animals. It also explores the challenges faced and the adaptive approaches needed to sustain these vital services.

A student-run, free One Health clinic (OHC) improves access to care for people and pets while providing increased training opportunities for interprofessiona...