The Club Animalia student organization at Hope College has received the national “Outstanding Community Service Award” from the American Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (APVMA) for the third consecutive year.
The award was presented during the association’s 2015 Annual Symposium, held on Friday-Sunday, March 27-29, at the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbus, Ohio
The APVMA consists of nearly 80 institutions from around North America, only six of which are liberal arts colleges. More than 600 students from 55 colleges and universities attended the symposium.
The club also received the award in 2013 and 2014.
Club Animalia works to promote the human-animal bond on campus and throughout the greater Holland area, and to provide services to students in order to increase awareness and stimulate interest in careers related to animal care. The group also provides voluntary services to those who work for the betterment of animals. Club Animalia has about 35 active members, and hosts the college’s pre-veterinary students as well as many students interested in education and community service.
Club Animalia’s activities include a “Zoo 2 You” program through which members bring animals from the college’s Animal Museum to local elementary schools to teach about the natural history and life of wild animals; a veterinary science program through Ottawa County 4H that teaches middle school and high school students about animal husbandry and well-being, and veterinary medicine and careers; organizing, in collaboration with Hope’s Counseling and Psychological Services office, a “Finals Stress Release” on campus with therapy dogs; volunteering with the Harbor Humane Society; and numerous fund-raising events for charity.