This summer, 31 Thrive Student Ambassadors from across the country gathered for weekends of connection and collaboration in Austin, Texas and Memphis, Tennessee.
Filled with team building activities, networking opportunities, hospital tours, and time to learn about the Thrive Pet Healthcare network, the orientation not only offered students the chance to flex their creative muscles and come up with new ideas and events for their college campuses, but also helped Thrive understand how we can help these future veterinarians along their path.
“At the Thrive retreat, I learned about how the company tries to support their employees in every way that they can. It makes me hopeful for the future knowing that Thrive is actively trying to make veterinary medicine a better place."
- Cierra Lohr, Kansas State University sophomore
Dr. Christina Moore, Sr. Director of University Relationships and Doctor Mentorship, who heads up the Student Ambassador Program, says that the program’s first in-person orientation was incredibly positive overall.
“We wanted to ensure ambassadors walked away feeling like they know who we are, what we offer, and that feel confident talking about it to their fellow students. The goal is to make them feel like they're part of the Thrive community and ready to be in this role.”
She was also able to gain insight into what the next generation of veterinary professionals are looking for in an employer. “Number one is mentorship, end of discussion. Culture is the second thing – things like positive environment, smiles and laughs, collaboration, and allowing for mistakes as growth. The third was compensation and benefits – the usual offerings, but also growth opportunities and mental health support.”
Listening, learning, and building connections are hallmarks of the Student Ambassador Program, both for the students themselves and for our Thrive team. The connections we build with our ambassadors enable them to engage their peers on campus, communicating the Thrive Pet Healthcare difference.
“One thing that has really stuck out to me about Thrive is how welcoming and personable you've been. Everyone I've been put in contact with has made themselves so reachable and willing to help with anything."
-Ellie Hidalgo, Virginia Tech sophomore
Becoming a Student Ambassador
The Thrive Student Ambassador program, part of our
Medical Excellence and Education Platform, empowers college students at our university partners to spread the word about Thrive Pet Healthcare within their campus communities.
While an annual stipend is provided for these ambassadors, the greatest focus we place is on stewarding students through their professional journey and ensuring they can thrive for life.
Many Student Ambassadors are connected to externship opportunities at hospitals in our network, allowing them to better understand the realities of the veterinary profession and begin identifying their areas of passion.
Cierra Lohr, for instance, decided after completing her externship that while she was passionate about dentistry, she would be more fulfilled as a general practitioner. After externing with VitalRADS in Houston, Giselle Doucet, a Louisiana State University junior, fell in love with the pace and flexibility of teleradiology.
And the connections they make at Thrive are lifelong – “I was texting with one of the VitalRADS residents literally yesterday,” Giselle told us. “We’re still in contact. I’m able to ask the residents questions whenever I have them. They’ve taught me so much – it’s absolutely incredible.”
