TVMA member, Dr. Jean Heppner is committed to providing the best care possible, even when her clients are facing financial hardship. Thanks to the Rusk Veterinary Assistance Grant, a benefit available through her TVMA membership, Dr. Heppner was able to ensure a beloved cat named Silas received life-saving treatment when his owner, Ms. J, couldn’t afford the full cost of care.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, TVMF’s Rusk Veterinary Assistance Grant program continues to provide a safety net for pets and their owners in times of crisis—like Ms. J and her beloved cat, Silas.

Silas is a three-year-old cat who is typically energetic, affectionate, and always close by his owner’s side. But when he suddenly became lethargic, stopped eating, and began vomiting, Ms. J knew something was wrong. She rushed him to Lakeway Veterinary Clinic, where Dr. Jean Heppner and her team discovered Silas was severely dehydrated and suffering from a dangerous intestinal blockage.

Emergency surgery revealed a rubber object lodged in Silas’s intestines. It was a serious situation, but one made even more difficult by timing. Ms. J had recently been laid off and was facing financial uncertainty with no steady income. Although she had done everything she could to pay for Silas’s care, the cost of ongoing treatment was more than she could manage alone.

“Silas is more than just a pet, he’s my soul cat,” Ms. J shared. “He’s been with me through some of the darkest times in my life, and I truly believe he’s saved me. This grant gave me a chance to keep going for both of us.”

For veterinarians like Dr. Heppner, having access to a resource like the Rusk grant can make all the difference when a patient needs urgent care but the client is facing financial barriers.

“It’s incredibly meaningful to have a resource like this available,” said Dr. Heppner. “It allows us to help our clients when they’re in a tough spot and give their pets the care they need without delay.”
Through your support, TVMF is able to say “yes” to veterinarians and pet owners when they need it most. The Rusk Veterinary Assistance Grant is just one way we’re supporting our TVMA veterinarians and strengthening the bond between Texans and their pets.

TVMF is here to support you, too.
As the charitable arm of the Texas Veterinary Medical Association, TVMF exists to support TVMA members in their day-to-day practice, while also helping pets and their owners in need. From Rusk Veterinary Assistance Grants to disaster relief support and educational materials for your clients, don’t forget to take advantage of the valuable resources TVMF offers through your TVMA membership. Let us help you make a lasting impact—for your clients, their animals, and your profession.