Lending Economic Assistance for Pets

The Texas Veterinary Medical Foundation’s LEAP (Lending Economic Assistance for Pets) program offers free veterinary care to economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly the elderly and disabled, who rely on their companion animals for companionship and well-being. This initiative involves collaborations with local non-profit organizations, such as Meals on Wheels, to provide essential care for underserved pets and their owners. By joining forces, these organizations enhance the quality of life for both pets and humans in need, reinforcing the invaluable human-animal bond.

Research indicates that companion animals positively impact the well-being of pet owners, contributing to longevity, reduced stress, improved immune health, and enhanced mental well-being. The LEAP program’s provision of veterinary care and wellness services ensures that pets lead healthier, longer lives, ultimately benefiting the health and quality of life of their owners.

The program acknowledges the deep significance of these animals to their owners, many of whom prioritize their pets’ well-being even over their own basic necessities. In doing so, TVMF’s LEAP program preserves these crucial human-animal bonds and improves the quality of life for vulnerable individuals, alleviating the heart-wrenching choice between caring for a beloved pet and personal needs.

What we do

Each pet enrolled in the LEAP program receives:

  • An annual exam
  • 1 year supply of flea & heartworm preventative
  • Necessary vaccines
  • Other services, including dentals, mass removals, and antibiotics, as needed

All of these services are provided at NO cost to the client.

Eligibility

Pet owners enrolled in Meals on Wheels services may be eligible for LEAP program services. Please call your Meals on Wheels case manager for information on the enrollment process. LEAP program services are only available with our partners listed below.

How it works

TVMF partners with local nonprofits serving vulnerable community members to enroll eligible pets in the LEAP program. When it is time for their exam, a transport volunteer picks the pet up from the client’s home and takes it to the veterinarian. The veterinarian examines the pet and orders any necessary diagnostics. The volunteer returns the animal to the client’s home, along with their preventatives and any other instructions from the veterinarians.

Our Partners

For nonprofit organizations interested in becoming a partner in our LEAP program, please take a moment to complete the application by clicking here.

If you are a TVMA member seeking more information about the LEAP program, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Foundation office at 512-452-4224.

Veterinary Partners

AM/PM Animal Hospital
Animal Clinic of Grand Prairie
Animal Medical Center Lubbock
Austin Vet Care
Austin Vet Hospital
Bayside Animal Hospital
Big Country Veterinary Clinic
Bluebonnet Animal Hospital
Country Brook Animal Hospital
Crossroads Animal Hospital
Fayette County Veterinary Clinic
Holt Veterinary Clinic
HousePaws Austin
Lago Vista Animal Clinic
Live Oak Animal Hospital
Lone Star Animal Hospital
Mellina Animal Hospital
Metro Paws Oak Cliff
Meyerland Animal Clinic
North Austin Animal Hospital
Oden Veterinary Hospital
Rutherford Veterinary Hospital
South Park Animal Hospital
Texas A&M Kingsville Veterinary Technology Program
Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Small Animal Hospital
Texas Tech University’s School of Veterinary Medicine
VCA Becker Animal Hospital
VCA Ben White Animal Hospital
VCA Elgin Family Pet Center
VCA Hometown Animal Hospital
VCA Lakeline Animal Hospital
VCA Tanglewood Animal Hospital
Washington Heights Veterinary Clinic
White Rock Animal Hospital
Whitestone Animal Hospital

Nonprofit Partners

Brazos Valley Community Action Programs Meals on Wheels Program
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston aniMeals
Lubbock Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels Central Texas PALS
Meals on Wheels North Central Texas
Meals on Wheels of Amarillo
Meals on Wheels of South Texas
Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc.
Meals on Wheels, Inc of Tarrant County
The Visiting Nurse Association of Texas
Meals on Wheels Rural Capital Area
Haven for Hope



LEAP Program Service Areas

TVMF is deeply grateful for the generosity of the donors and supporters who make the LEAP program possible, especially to our corporate sponsors: Fond Memories, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health for donating vaccines, Frontline Gold flea and tick treatment and Heartgard heartworm preventatives and IDEXX and Antech for donating diagnostic services.