Helping Paws Program
Nutrition and Wellness Opportunities
To learn more about Nutrition Programs, please contact our nutrition staff at 802-476-2644. For Wellness Programs, contact our wellness staff at 1-802-595-3670.
Upcoming Events:
Mitzvah Fund Mobile Veterinary Clinics
Tuesday November 19 from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Waterbury Area Senior Center
14 Stowe Street, Waterbury
Tuesday December 3 from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Montpelier Senior Activity Center
58 Barre Street, Montpelier
Is your animal companion feeling unwell or in need of an exam?
Are you putting off caring for your animal companion because of financial constraints or struggling to provide care due to cost?
Central Vermont Council on Aging (CVCOA) is sponsoring free veterinary services through the Mitzvah Fund Mobile Clinic at the Waterbury Area Senior Center.
Eligibility: This service is open to adults age 60+ who meet the income qualifications OR express special financial need.
Available Services: Exams, vaccinations, nail trimming, flea/tick products, heartworm products, blood and lab tests, dental care, small surgeries, and medications.
Please note that spots are limited and a waitlist will be started after the first 8 sign-ups. CVCOA will allow one animal per household. If another animal needs service, they will be put on the waitlist. Services will be determined during the phone consultation and review of the pet's medical records. The veterinarian will prioritize appointments and will add technician appointments for additional pets that only need nail trims, ear cleanings, or gland expressions.
On the day of the clinic, each animal who sees the veterinarian will receive an exam and any appropriate vaccines. They may also receive a blood test if they need a Heartworm/Lyme test or if they need a future anesthetic event.
Any follow-up care will be done directly through the Mitzvah Fund. If the animal does need a dental or surgery the owner can fill out a Mitzvah Fund Application. Depending on income the cost could be completely subsidized. The Mitzvah Fund does NOT provide chronic ongoing care, emergency care, or most orthopedic procedures.
Contact Holly Thompson, Wellness Coordinator, at 802-595-3670 to sign up or for more information!
Since 2022, Central Vermont Council on Aging has partnered with The Mitzvah Fund, Inc. to provide veterinary services to older adults and their animal companions, free of charge, throughout the region.
This program was made possible through grant funding from Meals on Wheels America, specifically designated to alleviate social isolation and loneliness for older adults by "ensuring that seniors and their animal companions can live nourished, healthy lives together."
Meals on Wheels America stated, "Through our research, we also learned that half of pet owners were unable to obtain needed veterinary care in the past two years. The barriers to access these services were found to be significant, as we also learned that 92% of the clients who were unable to obtain care could not get it due to financial reasons and 45% could not obtain care due to lack of transportation."
In 2024, CVCOA expanded this program to include pet food deliveries with Meals on Wheels deliveries. To date, we have distributed 264 pounds of cat and dog food.
The Grey Muzzle Organization supported this program through a grant to support the care and feeding of senior dogs.
By making a donation to our Helping Paws program, you can support the wellness of older adults by providing support for their animal companions.