The Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England (VSTONE) helps New England residents by providing merit-based scholarships for veterinary medicine degrees. This program reduces financial strain and supports students in pursuing their passions and talents.
VSTONE’s program recognizes and uplifts gifted students who have made significant contributions in the fields of Veterinary Care, Veterinary Pathology, Equine Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Surgery, or Shelter Medicine.
Our scholarship recipients typically intend to remain in or return to New England after graduation. We encourage them to serve five years in areas with limited access to veterinary care, often referred to as “veterinary deserts.” To illustrate, Providence County in RI has only 1.70 veterinary employees for every 1,000 households. Understanding the factors influencing accessibility, such as cost and location, is crucial for ensuring equitable access to veterinary care for all pet owners.
Since its founding in 1958, and as a 501(c)(3) non-profit since 1961, the Trust has supported over 500 veterinary students in New England through scholarship aid. Just this year, we awarded $55,000 in scholarships, helping aspiring veterinarians complete their education and embark on careers dedicated to animal care. Our program relies on the generosity of individual veterinarians, state veterinary associations, the New England Veterinary Medical Association, canine and equine groups, memorial gifts, rabies clinics, and other caring individuals. We also seek support through targeted mail campaigns, special events, and grants.
Expanding our reach to veterinary students leads to a larger pool of applicants. By increasing the visibility of our scholarship program and its recipients, we enhance the prestige of our scholarships. This, in turn, strengthens our ability to attract new grant sources, ensuring the scholarship program's growth for years to come. Your support will not only provide assistance, but also improve our capacity to secure additional funding.
"Dear Dr. Heller,
I want to thank you & the Trustees of the Veterinary Scholarship Trust for awarding me one of the VSTONE General Scholarship Awards. I am incredibly honored & grateful to have been selected as a recipient. The Scholarship will go a long way in helping me pursue my academic goals & will assist with the rising cost of veterinary education. Your investment in my education inspires me to work even harder & give back to others in the future. Over my next few years at veterinary school, I aim to broaden my understanding of veterinary medicine & build upon my skills to become a great practitioner who will benefit the animals of New England. Once, again, I greatly appreciate your recognition, & thank you for awarding me a VSTONE General Scholarship." Sincerely, Madison S. Tufts, v'27
Dear Trustees of the Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England,
I want to extend the most sincere thank you for selecting me to be the recipient of the VSTONE Scholarship. In this time of financial stress especially as I begin a transition out of school. This scholarship has eased immense stress and I am so grateful. Thank you to you and your organization for being dedicated to veterinary students and dedicating your time to the selection process. I am a New Englander by heart and cannot wait to serve our region in the future. Thank you! Sincerely, Kate L. Cornell Class of 2025
Dear Dr. Heller and VSTONE Trustees,
I want to thank you for choosing me as the recipient for the Dr. Harris Mosher award. I feel honored to be selected and recognized for my work in pathology and my service to New England as a long time resident. Sincerely, Natalie T.
"Good morning, Trustees.
I hope this email finds you well. I received the letter from VSTONE and wanted to express my gratitude for being selected as a recipient of the Dr. Cornelius Thibeault Scholarship. Receiving this scholarship is a tremendous honor, and I am deeply thankful for your investment in my education and future career as a veterinarian. Your generosity and belief in my potential further motivates me to excel in my studies and contribute meaningfully to the field of veterinary medicine."
Sincerely, Desiree Gerena, DVM Candidate, Class of 2027
"Good morning,
I wanted to thank the scholarship committee for selecting me as one of the VSTONE scholarship recipients this year! I am incredibly honored and appreciative of this award. It will be a tremendous help in alleviating some of the financial burden of veterinary school and relocating after graduation. This summer, I will be starting a rotating internship in Maine. I am very excited to be contributing to veterinary medicine in New England and having a positive impact in my community."
Sincerely, Elyse Politica DVM Candidate, Class of 2025
UF College of Veterinary Medicine
"Dear Dr. Heller and the Veterinary Scholarship Trust of New England,
My name is Melissa, a 4th year student at Tufts Cummings School. I wanted to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for your generous gift of the VSTONE Scholar Award. This Award will support me immensely as I graduate and begin my career as a small animal practitioner in Rhode Island. I will always remember how your organization supported me throughout my years of school, and I look forward to giving back to your mission in the future." Sincerely, Melissa D. V'25
To the VSTONE Committee -
Thank you very much for choosing me as a recipient of a VSTONE General Scholarship award. It is very rewarding to see my hard work inside (and outside) the classroom be recognized. This award will be put to good use as I embark on the clinical portion of my education. Already I feel so lucky to be one step closer to achieving the dream I've had since I was very young. This path would not be possible without generosity from organizations like this. Thank you again. Allison R.
