One Mission, One Health: Vetcor’s Journey for a Rabies-Free Future
July 22, 2025
Written by: Dr. Michelle Shoemaker, Chief Veterinary Officer
This summer, a group of Vetcor team members embarked on a journey that proved to be both life-changing and life-saving. As part of our ongoing partnership with Rabies Free Africa, we traveled to the Mara region of Tanzania to support our shared mission of eliminating rabies at its source.
Our team included ten veterinarians, our senior marketing specialist, and our CEO, Chris Strong. Together, we worked side by side with local veterinarians and community leaders to vaccinate more than 1,200 dogs and cats across remote villages in Northern Tanzania.
Fighting a Preventable Tragedy
Rabies is nearly always fatal, yet 100 percent preventable. In many parts of Africa, domestic dogs are the primary source of transmission to humans, particularly children. By vaccinating pets, we not only protect the animals themselves but also the people who live alongside them. Each vaccine represents a shield of protection for an entire family, a child walking to school, a farmer working in the fields, or a toddler playing in the yard. Beyond human health, rabies vaccination also helps preserve wildlife. Endangered species like African wild dogs, jackals, and lions can contract the disease through contact with domestic animals. By stopping rabies at the domestic level, we protect fragile ecosystems and contribute to environmental stability.
Protecting Communities
The work we did went far beyond medical intervention. In a region where rabies remains a serious and often fatal threat, these vaccinations are transformative. They reduce fear. They restore peace of mind. They give parents confidence that their children can safely walk to school or play outside without danger. They protect endangered wildlife by reducing the spread of disease from domestic animals into natural ecosystems. Altogether, vaccinations strengthen entire communities from the inside out.
Vaccination in Action
We spent one day walking boma to boma (or house to house), moving from one family compound to the next through open terrain to vaccinate animals that would never make it to a central event. On other days, we helped vaccinate at community clinics where people arrived on foot, sometimes walking miles to reach us, some holding their pets with makeshift leashes crafted from fabric or rope. There was such beauty in those moments, an eagerness to protect, to care, and to be seen.
Moments of Connection and Culture
One of the most moving experiences of the trip was being welcomed to participate in a housewarming celebration of a newly appointed Maasai village chairman. We were invited to join in the music and dancing, surrounded by pride, tradition, and joy. It was a true honor to be part of something so personal and real. Joining in this vibrant community tradition made us feel not like guests, but like family.
Another moment that stayed with all of us happened when our team brought Polaroid cameras into the field. Watching a child hold a photo of themselves with their dog, often the only photo they had ever had, was pure joy. Their laughter filled the air. They ran to show their families, clutching the small print in their hands like a treasure. For many of us, that was one of the most meaningful parts of the trip: being able to give something tangible, personal, and lasting. The light in the children's eyes lit up something inside our own team, too. It was a simple gesture that turned into one of the most memorable parts of the trip.
There was also the quiet victory of finally being able to vaccinate a dog that had eluded us all day. It had refused every attempt to be caught, always just out of reach. But with time, patience, and trust, one of our veterinarians succeeded. It was a reminder that every life matters and that compassion and persistence go hand in hand.
Powered by Partnership
This trip was so important and solidified that global health, veterinary care, and human connection are not just side efforts, but central to who we are and what we believe in at Vetcor.
One of the most powerful outcomes of this trip was the transformation that took place within our own Vetcor team. This experience helped forge a deeper sense of community. Veterinarians from across the country came together, some meeting for the first time, others reconnecting after months apart. They left with shared memories, renewed energy, and a collective commitment to this work.
We are deeply grateful to our partners and sponsors who made this trip possible. A heartfelt thank-you to Boehringer Ingelheim, Royal Canin, and Bravado’s Campaign for their generous support, belief in our mission, and commitment to global health. Their partnership helped bring critical veterinary care to communities in need, strengthened the bond between people and animals, and made space for transformative experiences for those we served and for every member of our team. This work simply could not have happened without them.
Join the Mission
We invite interested Vetcor hospitals to join us in this mission. By donating $1 for every rabies vaccine administered in your clinic, you can help bring care to communities in need. One hundred percent of donations go directly to vaccine efforts. Participating hospitals will be eligible to have team member apply for our Tanzania trips taking place once to twice a year to witness this work firsthand. If you are part of a Vetcor hospital and would like to sign up please fill out this form.
We return home changed. More connected. More inspired. And more committed than ever to making a difference, one pet, one person, and one vaccine at a time.
