Building the foundation

by Niccole Bruno, Founder and CEO, blendVET and Executive Director, blendVET foundation

January is one of my favorite reset moments. The calendar is fresh, we’re planning our Youth Pathway events for the year and there’s still space to ask ourselves: What kind of impact do we want to make this year?

As I reflect on 2025, one thing feels very clear—we’re building the right things.
Last year, we reached more than 1,200 students through our Believe and Belong in Veterinary Medicine® Youth Pathways. These weren’t passive presentations. They were real conversations, hands-on experiences, and first-time introductions to a profession many students had never seen up close.

That early exposure matters. It changes what feels possible.

What we built together

Here’s what that impact looked like in motion:

• 10 Youth Pathways programs completed, including partnerships with our
  first state VMA, the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
• Our first international program in Toronto, in partnership with NAVC
• The launch of VETtalks, expanding access to learning and conversation beyond
  geography for parents to guide their students toward a career path in vet med.
• The official trademark of Believe and Belong in Veterinary Medicine®
  protecting the work and values behind our pathway programs
• Looking ahead to 2026: partnering with CVMA to host PacVET 2026 at UC
  Davis, our first program held at a veterinary school
• Continued sponsorship from Hill’s, Purina, VEG, and Chewy Pet Health
• A $250,000 grant secured through our NAVC partnership, supporting
  pathway programming through 2025–2026
  
  

  

  

Why this matters to you

If you’re a veterinary professional, educator, sponsor, or pet parent—this work connects directly to the future of the profession you care about.

Who enters veterinary medicine.
Who stays.
Who believes they belong before doubt or burnout ever shows up.
Early access changes the pipeline for everyone.

The blendVET Foundation

As this work grew, it became clear we needed a structure built for the long term—one designed for sustainability, access, and scale. That’s why we established the blendVET Foundation, our soon-to-be nonprofit and the home for our pathway and community-focused programs.

At one of our Pathways events, I met a student who loved animals but had never met a veterinarian before that day. College felt uncertain. Veterinary medicine felt out of reach. After spending the day talking with veterinarians, asking questions, and trying hands-on activities, he looked at me and said, “I think I can actually do this.”
That moment happened because people showed up—educators, sponsors, and donors who made early access possible.

That’s the why behind the Foundation.

Programs supported through the Foundation:

Believe and Belong in Veterinary Medicine Youth Pathways: hands-on career exploration events for middle and high school students, especially those
who may not otherwise have access, led by veterinary professionals across specialties. We've leveled up from 1.0 Expose to 2.0 Expand and 3.0 Elevate.

VETunity Days: one-day community events for pet parents and families to access pet wellness checkups, learn about animal health and veterinary care, and connect with local veterinarians and animal health partners—held alongside our Youth Pathways program.

VETtalks: virtual learning for parents and educators of students pursuing a career in the veterinary profession.

blendVET Shop: mission-driven apparel and merchandise that builds community and directly supports access to veterinary career pathways.

What’s staying the same

blendVET will continue to support veterinary professionals through continuing education, workplace training, and professional development built for real-world practice. We’re committed to the future and the people doing the work right now. Both matter.

As you start this year, I invite you to reflect on who helped you believe you
belonged—and how early that support showed up.

That’s where lasting impact begins.

How you can get involved in 2026

To kick off the new year, we’ve created a simple “Get Involved with blendVET
Foundation” checklist you can keep handy.

It outlines easy, meaningful ways to engage—whether you have an hour, a platform, or resources to share.

Inside the checklist:

• Ways to support students (in person or virtually)
• Opportunities to partner as an educator or organization
• Sponsorship and donation pathways that fit different levels of involvement
• Simple actions that help expand access without overcommitting

Save the checklist and get involved this year!