An upcoming veterinary clinic will provide active duty military members and veterans with free veterinary care for their dogs and cats, including vaccinations, wellness checks and other preventative services as needed. The Cornell Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program (MSMP), along with a team of Cornell Shelter Medicine Club students, is supplying the veterinary care. Clear Path for Veterans, a non-profit support organization for veterans based in upstate New York, is facilitating the clinic.

The veterinary team anticipates being able to see approximately 50 animals.

“MSMP aims to increase access to veterinary care in underserved communities. These clinics will bring compassionate, essential veterinary care to military families who might otherwise have to go without,” said Jessica Reed, D.V.M. ’12, the Janet L. Swanson Director of Maddie’s® Shelter Medicine Program.

The Hero Companion Care Fund will cover canine care, focusing on service and support animals. The fund, which also augments the cost of veterinary care through hospitals and programs run by Cornell for first responders as well as active duty and veteran military families, was established in November 2025 thanks to a collaboration with the Gary Sinise Foundation. MSMP will cover the cost of feline care.

“Thanks to the generous support of the Hero Companion Care Fund, we plan to host at least one clinic per month to serve service animals, support animals and pets living with military families and first responders,” Reed said. “MSMP is committed to expanding accessible care for both people and their animals, and we are grateful to Clear Path for Veterans and the Sinise Foundation for enabling this important work.”

Written by Melanie Greaver Cordova