Southern Veterinary Partners (SVP) announces the inaugural Tuition Assistance Awards to mitigate student debt and create a path for employment with SVP following graduation for select veterinary students.

Following a screening process including interviews and on-the-job training, SVP selected two students to each receive a $20,000 Tuition Assistance Award - Samantha Rape, Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine class of 2019 and Mary Alice Haile, Lincoln-Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine class of 2019.

“Southern Veterinary Partners is a leader in the veterinary industry and is taking great strides to pioneer ways to lessen the financial burden on veterinary students.  We hope that by removing the stress of veterinary school debt, SVP will allow them to completely focus on their patients, clients and enjoy life outside of work. I am thrilled to provide this opportunity to these hardworking students and welcome Samantha and Mary Alice into the SVP family,” said Dr. Jay Price, CEO. 

After graduating from veterinary school, Samantha Rape will join SVP as an Associate Veterinarian at Gateway Animal Hospital in Statesboro, GA and Mary Alice Haile will join as an Associate Veterinarian at Aiken Animal Hospital in Aiken, South Carolina.

“Samantha performed her SVP externship at Gateway Animal Hospital and never expected to fall in love with the veterinarians and staff, who felt the same way about her too.  Dr. Debbie Edwards and Dr. Gary Edwards wanted to keep her part of the team,” said Dr. Jane White, SVP Director of University Relations.  “While meeting Mary Alice at a career fair at Lincoln-Memorial University, she expressed interest in SVP and after introducing her to Dr. Cindy Brown at Aiken Animal Hospital, we knew it was the right fit for all if Mary Alice joined the team at Aiken Animal Hospital. We look forward to both students joining the SVP family and are ecstatic to offer them our first Tuition Assistance Awards.”

Learn more about veterinary student career opportunities at SVP...

 About Southern Veterinary Partners

Southern Veterinary Partners, based in Birmingham, Alabama, is a veterinarian owned and managed regional network of animal hospitals with the common goal of providing the highest quality veterinary care to companion animals with exceptional client experiences. As of December 2018, Southern Veterinary Partners has 69 animal hospitals across 10 southern states and has been named to Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America.