At Banfield, We’re Here to Give Back

As Banfield has grown over the years, so has its ability to make an even bigger difference in the lives of people and pets across the United States, including in Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. And not surprisingly, as our resources and reach have expanded, so has our associates’ appetite to do even more for those in need. From free preventive care clinics for vulnerable pet owners and associate volunteerism in communities following natural disasters, to grants from the Banfield Foundation to non-profits helping pets that need it most, both Banfield and the foundation are here to give back.

Last week, we released Banfield Pet Hospital’s 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report and the Banfield Foundation’s 2017 Impact Report. Even though I’ve read every story dozens of times, each one still has the power to move me – and more importantly, remind me of why we do what we do. We are giving life to our purpose: A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. 

Here to Give Back

I’ve worked at Banfield for nearly 10 years, alongside veterinary professionals and paraprofessionals who want nothing more than to help pets get and stay healthy. During my time at Banfield, the number of opportunities for associates to use their time and talents for the good of pets, our profession and the communities we serve has grown by leaps and bounds. I’m so proud of the company we’ve become and where we are headed.

This is the third consecutive year we’ve produced comprehensive reports highlighting how our associates have applied their time, talent and resources to give back to the communities in which we live and work. These reports tell the stories behind the numbers: the hours our associates have volunteered, the grants the Banfield Foundation has awarded and the resources Banfield has donated to provide hope and help to pets in need. Year after year, we show that both inside and outside of our hospital walls, we are here to serve pets, our communities and the profession.

In 2017, Banfield and the foundation delivered $2,776,368 in combined investments through foundation grants, HOPE Funds, and Shelter Services. Banfield associates volunteered 22,413 hours giving back to the community, and the Banfield Foundation awarded 288 grants, providing much-needed aid to pets and their families, to communities impacted by hurricanes, fires and floods, and to organizations supporting underserved pets. In total, the combined efforts of Banfield and the foundation impacted 526,216 people and pets.

Here for Pets

We believe every pet deserves access to quality veterinary care, regardless of their circumstance. It’s our goal to expand our ability to positively impact the lives of pets. Every year, Banfield and the foundation combine corporate resources, such as volunteer hours and in-kind donations of medical supplies, with grants funded by generous donations to the Banfield Foundation, to help ensure that more vulnerable pets are able to access to the veterinary care they deserve.

Banfield Pet Hospital and the Banfield Foundation partner to provide free preventive care clinics to pets owned by critically low income or homeless pet owners. In 2017, we hosted clinics across the country, providing $74,588 in donations for preventive medicines and impacting the lives of 14,792 pets. At these clinics, Banfield doctors provide critically important vaccines, heartworm testing and prevention, deworming, flea/tick prevention, client education and so much more. In 2017, the Banfield Foundation, helped enable veterinary care to pets in need by awarding 31 grants that helped keep 26,613 pets healthy and in loving homes, 24 grants totaling $265,775 to support nonprofits in need of veterinary medical equipment, and 54 grants totaling $524,270 to ensure nonprofits were able to provide much-needed veterinary care to 6,476 vulnerable pets. 

Banfield Foundation grants change the lives of people like Ron, a 17-year veteran of both the Army and Marines who survived two Iraq deployments, and his service dog, Sophia. Like many veterans who have experienced the mental and emotional trauma of war, Ron struggled to build supportive relationships or find the help he needed when he returned home. Ron joined Florida’s K9 Partners for Patriots program – a training course that unites veterans with service dogs, providing instruction on training, care and life with a service animal.

Ron and Sophia were the program’s first graduates, and Ron is now a certified dog trainer who works with other veterans and their service animals. Banfield Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to K9 Partners for Patriots, so service dogs like Sophia have access to quality veterinary care.

Here for Communities

Banfield associates regularly volunteer their time and skills to improve the communities in which they live and work, to support people and pets recovering from disaster and to help keep pets healthy and safe. Many also make voluntary contributions to the Banfield Better Together Fund, a fund created to enable associates to help other associates impacted by a natural or man-made disaster.

Much of our work at both Banfield and the foundation in 2017 was in support of people and pets in communities impacted by a seemingly endless series of natural disasters, starting with Hurricane Harvey and ending with the devastating wildfires in California. Last fall, I wrote about some of those disasters, and how Banfield sought to provide aid to those impacted.

In 2017, Banfield associates participating in the Mars Ambassador Program (MAP) returned to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the community is still recovering from the catastrophic August 2016 flooding. Even the most resilient communities take time to heal, and Baton Rouge is no exception. In a touching 360° video, one of our associates, Dr. Andrea Sanchez, invited us to see firsthand what is still needed more than a year after the floods – and how Banfield is helping meet those needs. 

Here for Our People and Our Profession

Building the future of veterinary care means supporting veterinary students, Banfield associates and other members of the industry in becoming the best they can be. We believe in the power of collaboration, and Banfield invests in industry-wide initiatives that are designed to improve the practice of veterinary medicine.

We believe in supporting the total wellness of our associates – in fact, we recently launched a new pilot program that offers Banfield veterinarians assistance in addressing their student debt. We also believe we have a responsibility to help veterinary students prepare to enter practice, and we offer a range of programs that give veterinary students access to educational resources, engage them in advocacy for the industry and offer hands-on training at hospitals, shelters and clinics.

Banfield also works to strengthen the broader veterinary community, producing resources related to critical challenges we all face, from compassion fatigue to rising antimicrobial resistance in dogs and cats. Our annual State of Pet Health and Veterinary Emerging Topics reports share data-driven insights into trends in pet health, as well as actions that pet owners and veterinary professionals can take to improve pet health and wellness.

We also foster open dialogue and collaboration across the industry through annual events like our Pet Healthcare Industry Summit (PHIS), which convenes experts and leaders from all facets of the industry to discuss how we’re solving current challenges, and to anticipate and prepare for coming challenges, whatever they may be.

Here to Make a Difference, Here to Give Back

Earlier this year, we were honored to be recognized by Points of Light among the 50 most community-minded organizations in the U.S. for our community-engagement efforts in 2016. This honor only fuels our desire to do more and do better every year. In 2017, Banfield Pet Hospital and the Banfield Foundation impacted the lives of more than 526,000 people and pets through investments of over $2.7 million and 22,400 volunteer hours. I feel beyond fortunate to work with others who care about the effect they have on the people and pets around them, and for a company that places such high value on giving back in so many ways. For Banfield associates and everyone at the foundation, every day is about giving back to pets, communities and the veterinary profession. It’s why we’re here. You can see how we’re making a difference in Banfield Pet Hospital’s 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report and the Banfield Foundation’s 2017 Impact Report. 

You can read more about how Banfield and the Banfield Foundation are supporting happy and healthy pets, people and communities in Banfield’s 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report and Banfield Foundation’s 2017 Social Impact Report. I’d love to hear what stands out most and your stories of giving back in the comments below!