From Academia to Action: The AlignCare Journey in Pet Health Equity

Imagine a future where every family, regardless of their financial situation, has access to the veterinary care their beloved pets need, along with essential services such as housing and transportation. In this vision of aligned communities, pets are recognized as integral family members, and their well-being is vital to the entire family's health and happiness. AlignCare offers a pathway to this future by providing a comprehensive, community based One Health system that aligns resources and services to support families holistically.

This report details the research, development, and testing of AlignCare by the Program for Pet Health Equity at the University of Tennessee in collaboration with multiple investigators, community partners, and funders. AlignCare is a pioneering and innovative One Health system that holistically supports families and communities with limited means by providing access to veterinary care. This transformative system helps ensure families receive comprehensive care by aligning community funding, resources, and activities into a cohesive, collaborative system, which more efficiently reduces disparities in family health.