Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM) has announced the creation of the Rick DuCharme Honorary Scholarship, celebrating his lifelong impact as founder of First Coast No More Homeless Pets, now known as Every Pet, and a tireless advocate for accessible veterinary care and humane community programs.
The scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate a commitment to community-based veterinary medicine, animal welfare, and expanding access to care for underserved populations. It will provide critical financial support to aspiring veterinarians who follow in DuCharme’s footsteps—serving animals and the people who love them, regardless of circumstance.
“The Rick DuCharme Honorary Scholarship represents the kind of impact we aspire to at LMU-OPCVM where compassion for animals and commitment to community meet educational opportunity,” said LMU-OPCVM Dean Kimberly Carney, DVM, MPH, DACVPM. “This scholarship will empower our veterinary students to follow in Rick’s footsteps, advancing animal welfare and community-based care while easing the financial barriers that too often limit talented, service-minded individuals from pursuing this profession.”
“Rick DuCharme’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of animal welfare in Jacksonville and beyond,” Carney added. “His tireless dedication to expanding access to veterinary care has transformed countless lives—both animal and human. Honoring him through this scholarship ensures that his passion continues to inspire the next generation of veterinarians who share his belief that every community deserves compassionate, high-quality veterinary care.”
For more than two decades, DuCharme has been a leader in North Florida’s animal welfare movement. As founder of Every Pet, he championed innovative approaches to spay/neuter access, community partnerships, and shelter collaboration—initiatives that have since become models for humane communities nationwide.
“My hope is that this scholarship inspires future veterinarians to see beyond the walls of traditional practice and into the communities that need them most,” said DuCharme. “Every student who chooses to serve in a shelter, spay/neuter program, or access-to-care clinic carries forward the belief that compassionate veterinary care should never be a privilege—it should be a right for every pet, everywhere. If this scholarship helps even one veterinarian choose a path of service to animals and families who otherwise might be left behind, it will have done its job.”
The Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM) is dedicated to preparing practice-ready veterinarians through an innovative, community-focused educational model. With a commitment to addressing the shortage of veterinary professionals and increasing access to care, LMU-OPCVM emphasizes hands-on clinical experience, community partnerships, and a strong foundation in animal welfare and public health. The program has received a Letter of Reasonable Assurance from the AVMA Council on Education and is accepting applications for its inaugural cohort beginning June 2026.
Learn more: OPVetMed.lmunet.edu
Founded by DuCharme in Jacksonville, Florida, Every Pet is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the euthanasia of adoptable pets through spay/neuter programs, public education, and community-based veterinary care. The organization’s work has transformed animal welfare in Northeast Florida and continues to serve as a model for humane initiatives nationwide.
