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Health and Wellbeing for Pregnant Mares
Strengthening bonds, saving lives: MSU Community Medicine on the move
Providing high-quality, no-cost surgical care to Michigan's animal shelters while training the next generation of veterinary leaders.
About the Program
Our Mission
We bridge the gap in veterinary care for underserved communities by bringing our state-of-the-art mobile surgical unit directly to Michigan animal welfare organizations. Because many organizations lack consistent access to veterinarians, we provide timely, high‑quality medical care—primarily through spay/neuter surgeries—to help reduce overall length of stay for homeless animals and give every adoptable pet a healthy head start on their journey home.
At the same time, every procedure is a teaching opportunity. MSU clinical veterinary students perform surgeries under the direct supervision of expert faculty, gaining high‑volume clinical experience and real-world insight into community medicine, shelter medicine, and access‑to‑care challenges across Michigan. Veterinary nursing students also participate in hands‑on skill building, working alongside highly qualified and trained licensed veterinary nurses to develop strong technical competencies.
Together, these experiences help ensure all of our students—across both veterinary and veterinary nursing programs—are ready to begin their careers.
The Heart of the Program: Our Mobile Unit
More than just a trailer, our custom-built 32-foot mobile surgery suite is a clinic on wheels. Designed for high-efficiency and high-standard care, it features:
- Two fully equipped surgical tables
- Advanced anesthesia capabilities
- Total independence via an onboard generator
- Climate-controlled recovery area
Are you an organization that might wish to work with the Community Medicine Program? Find partnership details and fill out our interest survey here.