Veterinary Mentorship Program at Operation Kindness Humane Society
Launched in Fall 2025 in partnership with Mission Pet Health, the program provides intensive, hands-on surgical training for early-career veterinarians and fourth-year veterinary students. Through advanced mentorship in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter and soft tissue surgery, participants gain the confidence and experience needed to deliver efficient, high-quality care in both shelter and private practice settings.
At the heart of the program is the Dr. Barbara Craig Surgical Mentorship Center, opened in July 2026, where veterinary professionals receive individualized instruction from experienced shelter medicine veterinarians while helping provide critical surgical care for pets in need.
Communities across the country continue to face a shortage of veterinarians with the surgical experience needed to meet growing demand for affordable spay/neuter services and community-based veterinary care.
The Veterinary Mentorship Program addresses this challenge by preparing the next generation of veterinarians with practical, real-world experience that benefits both animals and the profession.
Through this program, Operation Kindness is helping to:
- Increase the number of veterinarians trained in high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter surgery.
- Expand access to preventive surgical care for shelter partners, helping reduce unnecessary euthanasia.
- Improve access to basic veterinary wellness services for pets and the families who love them.
- Introduce veterinary students and early-career professionals to shelter medicine, fostering greater collaboration between animal shelters and private practice.
The Dr. Barbara Craig Surgical Mentorship Center serves as the primary training facility for the Veterinary Mentorship Program. Located on the Operation Kindness Humane Society campus, the center was purpose-built to provide immersive surgical education in a modern, collaborative environment.
In addition to the mentorship center, participants may complete training experiences through community vaccine clinics, Operation Kindness’ Lifesaving Partnerships Hub, and partner shelters throughout North Texas, allowing them to gain experience across a variety of clinical and shelter medicine settings.
By investing in veterinary professionals, Operation Kindness is multiplying its impact – creating stronger shelters, healthier pets and more resilient communities nationwide.
Creating Lasting Impact
The Veterinary Mentorship Program is expected to train more than 300 veterinary professionals each year while directly impacting more than 10,000 pets annually.
Every veterinarian trained represents thousands of future animals who will benefit from greater access to high-quality veterinary care.
Together with Mission Pet Health, Operation Kindness is building a stronger veterinary workforce, advancing shelter medicine and creating sustainable solutions that help keep pets healthy, families together and shelters focused on lifesaving.
Your support of the medical care of our pets is vital to the success of this program and will impact thousands of animals a year. Please consider a gift today to support this innovative program.
