DR. ANNE SCHWARTZ, founder of Providence-based Tri-State Equine Surgical Specialists LLC, was recently named the president of the 250-member Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association. A board-certified veterinary surgeon, Schwartz specializes in large animals and performs referral surgeries and consultations for veterinarians across southern New England. The Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association enhances veterinary medicine through membership involvement and professional development. The veterinary medical association also promotes animal welfare.
What are your plans for the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association as president? The Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association is working to support veterinary teams and member hospitals in managing through COVID-19 and what has become a historically busy time for veterinary hospitals. Our goal is to share timely information, best practices and as much support as we can to ensure members and their hospitals can safely deliver the best possible care to companion and large animals throughout Rhode Island.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted veterinary care in Rhode Island? COVID-19 brought a surge in pet ownership and pet adoption, and, as a result, the need for veterinary care. Safety precautions have necessitated curbside veterinary care in most instances. This has been difficult for pet owners and presents challenges for veterinary team members. We are grateful for the understanding of all those seeking veterinary care and we applaud the dedication of veterinary team members throughout our community.
In what ways does the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association help individuals who are struggling financially to get health care for their pets? RIVMA’s foundation, the Companion Animal Foundation, has seen more than double the requests for assistance in 2020 and to date in 2021. It exists to help fund the cost of routine exams and vaccines, and treatment for illness and injury, for owners experiencing hardship. We are so grateful to our member hospitals for offering so much care at free and reduced rates, as people have been struggling. We are also thankful to the many individuals and companies that made financial contributions and ensured that we did not have to deny any requests for support in 2020.
Does the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association have any new programs coming up on the horizon? We have transitioned all of our programming to a virtual format and are proud to have continued to meet our education mission in the midst of safety protocols and social distancing. We are hopeful that by December we will offer our longtime Scientific Seminar again – in a modified in-person format – to meet member needs for the latest information in veterinary medicine.
