Announcing the Phyllis C. Cooke Memorial Scholarship
In loving memory of Phyllis C. Cooke, we are honored to establish the Phyllis C. Cooke Memorial Scholarship through drcookevet.com, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterinary healers through scholarships, mentorship, and mental wellness initiatives. This annual scholarship will provide $5,000 to a deserving veterinary student who demonstrates: Phyllis was a woman of extraordinary faith, resilience, and generosity. She devoted her life […]
Electro-Acupuncture and Spinal Cord Injury: What the Research Shows
The following peer-reviewed studies were presented during advanced coursework at Chi University in the course Advanced Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine Approach to Neurological Disorders in Small Animals. These publications illustrate molecular, cellular, and clinical effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) in experimental and clinical spinal cord injury models. They are provided here for educational reference. Molecular & […]
Uncle Mikey’s Maxims
Micheal Schaer, DVM,DACVIM, DACVECC, Prof. Emeritus University of Florida An Introduction from Dr. Cooke Uncle Mikey’s Maxims endure because they teach us how to think—not just what to know. For new practitioners, they provide steady footing in a profession that can feel overwhelming very quickly. Early on, it’s easy to get lost in diagnostics, technology, […]
The Unspoken Grief of Veterinary Medicine
This is why veterinary medicine is so hard. Only one veterinarian in my entire time in vet school ever spoke openly about a patient who died on his watch. Only one. His name was Michael Schaer, DVM, DACVIM, DACVECC, Professor Emeritus at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. Thank goodness he did. Dr. Schaer—known […]
The Cost of Caring: Why We Must Reform Student Loan Interest for Veterinary and Healing Professions
A Policy & Advocacy Brief from drcookevet.com — Healers Have to Heal! 💜 💜 Our Mission We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting veterinarians, technicians, and students through mentorship, education, scholarships, and mental-wellness initiatives. Our goal is simple: to help healers heal — personally, professionally, and financially. ⚖️ The Problem Veterinary and other healing professionals are […]
Impact Statement
This nonprofit was founded to serve an underserved community of veterinary healers—providing education, mental health support, and professional growth in the art and science of veterinary medicine. Our mission is to nurture those who have dedicated their lives to animal care, ensuring they are equipped not only with advanced skills but also with the resilience […]
The Symbolism of the Dragonfly Logo
drcookevet.com – What’s in a Logo? The dragonfly has long been regarded as a symbol of transformation, adaptability, and resilience. Across cultures, it represents light, change, and self-realization, qualities that mirror the mission of our nonprofit: to nurture and grow veterinary healers in all stages of their careers. Transformation & Growth Like the dragonfly’s metamorphosis […]
What I Do, and Why I Do it
Why did I decide to start this project? Because this path is not sustainable. There are 10,000 fewer veterinarians than when I joined the profession 25+ years ago AND with adding 4 new veterinary teaching hospitals in the United States. As the pet population continues to slowly grow, there are less veterinarians to see your […]