A Passion for the Future of Veterinary Medicine

Thanks to generous donations from passionate individuals, the University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine students have access to education-enhancing opportunities that prepare them to become world-class leaders in the veterinary profession. Our desire to continuously improve and lead the way in developing adaptive problem-solvers capable of tackling the industry’s most significant challenges, would not be possible without the philanthropic efforts that help fund our mission to improve veterinary medicinal education. Support from donors like Helen Rosen enables our program to pursue unique opportunities that will pave the way for the future of the profession.  

A retired teacher and avid traveler, Rosen devoted her career to teaching and has experienced first-hand the transformational power of education. Upon hearing about the launch of the Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine, Rosen knew she wanted to be involved. Helen shared, “I was very excited to learn that [Arizona] was going to have a vet school. I wanted to support it as much as I could. I said, ‘sign me up. What can I do to help?’ I so strongly believe in it, and I'm just thrilled that it's here.” Rosen, inspired by the opportunity to advance veterinary medical education because of her relationship with her dog Pippa, chose to support our mobile model of care. Pippa, a golden retriever rescued from the slaughterhouse trade in Asia, came to Rosen as a fearful, timid dog who had never been outside or seen grass before. With proper veterinary care and Rosen’s open heart, Pippa has since blossomed. Rosen has shown Pippa the world, taking her on road trips and allowing her to experience lakes, mountains, and plenty of playtime. All along the way, Pippa has received veterinary care for the maintenance and mishaps that come with pet ownership. Veterinarians’ care and communication skills have made all the difference for Rosen and her dog, so it was only natural to become part of the future of veterinary care when she learned that the University of Arizona was developing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Rosen connected with the College and was offered the opportunity to support a scholarship or to help sponsor CVM’s mobile surgical and anesthesia unit. The mobile unit’s innovative and community-centered model excited Rosen, and because of her support, the fully outfitted unit is now prepared to offer spays and neuters to local animal shelters. Of her choice to support the mobile unit, Rosen shared, 

“I think the mobile unit will have more long-term effects and more use for how I see [the future of] veterinary medicine. I'm very excited about that. And honestly, that gift will multiply tenfold, because you have students who are serving the needs of the shelters around the area. Because of that, those animals are more adoptable. That care and service is already provided and taken care of for the families to adopt those animals. And at some point, either this mobile unit or future mobile units will go to [rural] neighborhoods and provide neutering, spaying [and] other services.” 

Rosen’s generous donation means students will put their anesthesia and surgical abilities into action and provide necessary operations that support adoption for shelter animals—giving more animals like Pippa a second chance at life and love. Students benefit from actualizing a new model for supplying care to rural communities and discovering potential ideas for their future businesses. Being a part of bettering animals’ adoption prospects, supporting new models for student learning and supporting high-quality veterinary medical care in Arizona has been a gratifying choice for Helen Rosen, and the College of Veterinary Medicine is grateful that her kindness will change the lives of veterinary students and animals for generations to come.