Chewy Health Pledges $1 Million to Support New Animal Services Building at Lincoln Memorial University
Representatives from Chewy Health and Lincoln Memorial University(LMU) joined officials in Clay County, Florida this week for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the county’s new Animal Services building in Middleburg, FL. During the ceremony, Chewy Health pledged a $1 million donation—made in partnership with LMU—to support the construction of an innovative educational space within the new facility.
This specialized room, named the Chewy Health & Lincoln Memorial University Applied Learning Center, will serve as a mixed-use space for LMU veterinary students. Designed to deliver hands-on learning in a real-world shelter environment, the center will play a vital role in training the next generation of veterinarians in shelter medicine, handling techniques and clinical skills. The space will also be available for future community events and educational programming.
“The Chewy Health & LMU Applied Learning Center is a powerful example of what’s possible when education, innovation and community come together,” said Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health. “At Chewy Health, we are deeply committed to supporting the broader profession by expanding access to real-world, experiential learning. This pledge reflects our belief that investing in future veterinary leaders strengthens not just the profession but also the wellbeing of the pets and communities they serve.”
The partnership between the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, Chewy Health and the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park brings meaningful benefits to the region across multiple fronts. In addition to enhancing student training opportunities, the new facility will significantly expand the capacity of Clay County Animal Services, enabling staff to perform more advanced medical procedures and improving health outcomes for shelter pets.
“We’re proud to partner with Chewy Health and Clay County on a project that brings lasting benefits to both veterinary education and animal care in our community,” said Kim Carney, Dean of Lincoln Memorial University–College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park. “The Chewy Health and LMU Applied Learning Center will give our students valuable hands-on experience early in their training, while also supporting the vital work happening every day at Clay County Animal Services. At LMU, we’re committed to building strong community partnerships that create real opportunities for service, learning and shared impact.”
The need for expanded services and infrastructure has grown in recent years as Clay County’s existing animal shelter—located in Green Cove Springs—has struggled with both capacity and flooding risks during major storms. Despite these challenges, Clay County Animal Services continues to meet the state’s criteria of a no-kill shelter.
“We’re proud of the hard work our staff does each and every day for the animals in our care, and this partnership and new building will only augment those efforts,” said Clay County Commissioner Betsy Condon. “We’re not only building a shelter—we’re building more opportunities for our community, the animals in our county and the aspiring veterinarians who will one day care for them.”
In addition to this monumental announcement, Clay County leaders invited the public to become a part of its story through Paw-sitive Impacts, a permanent donor wall that will proudly reside in the building’s front lobby. This display will honor individuals, families, organizations, businesses—and even cherished pets—through personalized engraved paw prints, each representing a generous contribution to the shelter. Every donation made through the Paw-sitive Impacts program will directly support the animal shelter. You can learn more here.
The new Clay County Animal Services building is expected to open in 2026. The Chewy Health & LMU Applied Learning Center will be an integral part of the facility from day one, serving as a key component of LMU veterinary students’ pre-clinical training. This space will provide hands-on experience during their first six semesters on the Orange Park campus, helping prepare them for practice.