The Lincoln Memorial University-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine (LMU-CVM) hosted a free vaccine and microchip clinic for pets belonging to local community members on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at LMU’s DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center in Ewing, Virginia.
The clinic was organized by the LMU-CVM Shelter Medicine Club, a student-led organization dedicated to improving the lives of shelter and community animals in the tri-state area through outreach, fostering and hands-on care. The event aimed to support pet owners in the surrounding LMU region who may face barriers to accessing veterinary care by making certain services more accessible.
Treatments offered included rabies, DHPP (for dogs), and FVRCP (for cats) vaccines, as well as microchipping. A total of 60 pets received care, with 75 vaccines and 39 microchips administered. The event was supported by grant funding from Boehringer Ingelheim and Avid Identification Systems Inc., aimed at providing veterinary students with more hands-on experience administering vaccines.
“This was an invaluable opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience while making a positive impact in our local community,” said Dr. Crystal Le’Roy, assistant professor of small animal surgery and faculty advisor of the Shelter Medicine Club.
The LMU-CVM and the Shelter Medicine Club plan to continue offering similar outreach events to increase access to veterinary care and support both student training and community health.
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The LMU-Richard A. Gillespie College of Veterinary Medicine is located on LMU’s main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional academic facilities in nearby Lee County, Virginia. LMU-CVM is an integral part of the University’s medical programs and provides real-world, community-based education in a collaborative learning environment. For more information about LMU-CVM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 6600 or visit us online at vetmed.LMUnet.edu.
