Community Surgical Program

Purpose

The primary goals of this program are to keep the human-animal bond intact by delivering outstanding care for small animals with surgical conditions while providing a hands-on learning opportunity for veterinary students at the Texas A&M VMBS. 

More specifically, The Roach Family Student Community Outreach Surgical Program is intended to support a one-time surgical intervention for an animal with a good to excellent prognosis. The fund will provide a needed surgery to the pet, which will be performed by a veterinarian-in-training, under the careful supervision of an experienced clinician. Eligible clients must have demonstrated financial need. The fund will provide surgery for animals that otherwise would be euthanized, relinquished, and/or endure excessive suffering.

Mission

To provide hands-on surgical experience to veterinarians-in-training through a service that allows them to perform surgical procedures on veterinary patients belonging to owners with limited financial means who otherwise would not be able to provide surgical care for their pet.

Client Eligibility

Clients (pet owners) qualify for the program by satisfying each of the following:

• The client must reside in the state of Texas. 
• The client and the patient must have a significant and compelling human-animal bond.
• The client is willing and able to provide recommended follow-up care.
• The client demonstrates financial need and can make a financial contribution toward the cost of the animal’s care.  
• The client is able to provide two forms of identification (such as photo ID, utility bill, etc.)
• The client is able to provide documentation of eligibility.

Additionally, all clients (pet owners) must be enrolled in one of the following programs:

• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
• WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)
• Qualified Housing Authority
• Texas Medicaid or CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Plan)
• Referral from established CVMBS programs

Patient Eligibility

• The patient (dogs and cats only) must be undergoing a one-time surgical intervention that will improve the prognosis and well-being of the patient and is not meant for treating chronic conditions.
  • Please see the list of surgical procedures provided below.
• The patient must have a good prognosis following surgical intervention. If, during treatment, the patient’s condition becomes such that survival is unlikely or excessive suffering will ensue, hospice care or euthanasia may be recommended.
• The animal’s age and other underlying issues will be taken under consideration in the determination of eligibility for the program.
• If the patient is sexually intact, a spay or neuter will be offered to be performed at the time of surgery and will be discussed with the client.
• Orthopedic and Neurology procedures (TPLO, hip/knee replacements, IVDD, etc.) do not fall under the scope of the program.

Funding:

• is subject to available funds,
• is limited to one funded surgery per pet,
• is at the discretion of the advisory group, and
• may not be used for routine spay/neuter procedures alone (but routine spay/neuter may be performed at the same time if possible, see above).
• As of March 27, 2024, funds are extremely limited and only select number of cases will be chosen for the program

Available Soft Tissue Procedures

Note

If your referring veterinarian thinks you qualify for this program and your pet needs a procedure not on this list, you or your veterinarian should contact us with your pet’s medical record to seek approval.

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Apply for Support

Note: We will respond to your request in approximately three business days.

Option #1: PDF Form

• You may submit a complete, printed copy of the PDF form to a receptionist at the hospital.
• Or, you may fill out and submit the PDF form electronically. Once you’ve downloaded, completed, and saved the form, use the Email button at the top of page 1 to submit.
  • Note: You must download the form to your computer for the email button to work correctly. It will not work if you complete the PDF form within a web browser.

» Download PDF of The Roach Family Fund—Student Community Outreach Surgical Program: Application for Support

Option #2: Online Form

• If you are using a mobile device to complete an application, please fill out and submit the online form below.