Believe and Belong in Veterinary Medicine exists to encourage youth from all backgrounds to learn more about the veterinary industry. The events seek to provide an immersive experience where students network with industry mentors and gain hands-on experience through our VETlabs.

Volunteers will receive clear instructions on where to park during the volunteer orientation call. Volunteers will then typically need to check in with the school before proceeding to the event. The check-in and set-up process for volunteers will also be discussed during orientation.

Volunteers can ask questions of the blendVET on site team during the event. The Pathway Director on site should be the first point of contact during the event, followed by Dr. Bruno, and station faculty leads. You will find out who the Pathway Director is for the event during the orientation call.

About a week prior to the event, volunteers are invited to attend a 1-hour virtual orientation training. During the training the blendVET team will cover volunteer assignments for the day and key information needed to successfully lead students through the hands-on lab activities. While volunteers are asked to make every effort to attend the live training, a copy of the session will be sent to all volunteers if someone is unable to attend or needs a refresher.

blendVET and event sponsors/partners ensure volunteers are provided a light breakfast and lunch during the event. The team also offers refreshments. Volunteers are asked to indicate dietary preferences and allergies upon registration to ensure appropriate food options are available for everyone. Individuals who wish to bring their own food are encouraged to do so, but access to a refrigerator/microwave will be dependent on the school and cannot be guaranteed by the blendVET team.

While each event may have a slightly different start and end time which will be discussed during the orientation call, volunteers can expect to arrive at the school at 7 AM local time and stay until about 5 PM local time.

There are a few primary roles volunteers may serve during the event. All volunteers share the role of serving as a mentor to young people interested in the veterinary industry. 

The most common role, especially for clinical professionals, is our VETlab substation instructors. Based on your prior experience and the needs of the event, clinical veterinary volunteers are assigned to a substation to teach students throughout the day about their specific topic. These volunteers are provided with all the supplies needed for their substation and can customize their teaching style to suit the needs of the volunteers and students. 

Another role that volunteers, especially non-clinical volunteers, serve is our Team Captain and “floater” roles. Team Captains lead their assigned group of students from one VETlab to the next and can experience all the stations alongside the same group of students. This is a great role for volunteers with a natural ability to build a team bond. Finally, we have a floater role which is great for anyone who’s willing to support based on wherever there is a need. Floaters may be asked to monitor various VETlab stations and locate blendVET team members when supplies need to be refilled. They may also be asked to support the blendVET team in distributing items/food throughout the day. Floaters are very flexible and happy to pitch in and support anyone who needs it throughout the event.

Volunteers can expect to move throughout the day and therefore are encouraged to dress in scrubs. If a volunteer wishes to wear jeans, they need to be school appropriate and not have holes.

To volunteer on a school campus, volunteers will need to provide a government issued photo ID to the school and adhere to all visitor policies. Volunteers are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and professionally among fellow volunteers, blendVET team members, school personnel, and students.

Volunteers are the primary source of interaction for the students throughout the day. Whether serving as a Team Captain leading a group of students through each of the stations or as an instructor at one of our VETlab substations, you have the opportunity to mentor and encourage students to pursue the veterinary industry by sharing your own story and answering any questions they may have. Prior volunteers have expressed that the program profoundly impacts them and reignites their spark for the industry. If you can imagine yourself enjoying a day of mentoring youth about the veterinary industry, the best way to see the impact is to experience it yourself!