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 May 3, 2026, at LMU’s DeBusk Veterinary Teaching Center.
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.
A total of 162 animals — including 125 dogs and 37 cats — received care during the clinic. Services provided included rabies, DAPP and DAPP+L (for dogs), and FVRCP (for cats) vaccines, as well as microchipping. In total, students and volunteers administered 130 rabies vaccines, 93 DAPP+L vaccines, 14 DAPP vaccines and 33 FVRCP vaccines, along with 82 microchips.
The event was supported by a $1,500 grant from the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, which covered the cost of vaccines and supplies. Additional support included donated materials and services from industry partners. Boehringer Ingelheim provided 50 PureVax rabies vaccines for cats, while 24PetWatch supplied 50 microchips. Remaining microchips were provided using inventory from Avid Identification Systems Inc. from a previous clinic. Lunch for volunteers was sponsored by a student representative for Zoetis.
“This was an invaluable opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience while making a positive impact in our local community,” said Crystal Le’Roy, assistant professor of small animal surgery and faculty advisor of the Shelter Medicine Club.
LMU-CVM and the Shelter Medicine Club plan to continue offering similar outreach events to increase access to veterinary care while supporting 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.
