Stories of impact: Scholarships and grants

Dr. Amanda Welch is a U.S. Air Force veteran who turned her dream of becoming a veterinarian into reality with help from AVMF donors. After years in uniform, Amanda brought the same dedication, courage, and sense of duty she learned in the military to her work in veterinary medicine.

The AVMF, in collaboration with the Stanton Foundation, has awarded a $150,000 grant to Dr. Kelley Thieman of Texas A&M University to support canine clinical research focused on cost-effective diagnostic and treatment options. The selected research project, titled “Evaluating the Effect of Weight Loss on Respiratory Function Grading and Whole-Body Barometric Plethysmography in Brachycephalic Dogs,” was chosen for its strong potential to improve canine health outcomes while advancing practical, affordable care strategies in primary veterinary settings.