University of Tennessee, AlignCare

Total Funding: $12,330,974 since 2017

In March 2017, Maddie’s Fund^® awarded a $391,420 basic research grant for AlignCare through University of Tennessee’s (UT) Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE), Access to Veterinary Care: Barriers and Best Practices, Public Policy. This report was published in December 2018.

Since 2018, we’ve awarded $11,939,554 to UT for the research, development, support and establishment of the AlignCare program. This includes a recent commitment of $5,181,513 toward a 5-year strategic plan through 2029.

AlignCare, the first One Health healthcare system that addresses the needs of people, their pets, and their ecosystem, is largely defined by socioeconomics. AlignCare connects families with veterinary service providers, while leveraging community resources and activities. This focus on a One Health healthcare system merges human-centric social services and public health programs with animal-centric (for-profit and nonprofit) veterinary services to form a more encompassing family-centric veterinary care system for bonded families.

AlignCare was tested in nine pilot communities (Phoenix, AZ; Knoxville, TN; Asheville, NC; Cherokee, NC; Long Island, NY; Las Vegas, NV; Reno, NV; Raleigh-Durham, NC; Spokane, WA). At the conclusion of the pilot phase, PPHE began transitioning AlignCare to a community-led initiative though the community ownership model (COM). AlignCare Los Angeles was the first community to implement the AlignCare system utilizing the COM. In April 2023, AlignCare Health Inc. received 501(c)3 status. AlignCare is currently in Las Vegas, NV; Reno, NV; Los Angeles, CA and will be opening in Knoxville, TN and San Pedro, CA by the end of the year. Although each community is unique, all share the key features of AlignCare: collaborations among social service agencies, animal welfare organizations and veterinary service providers. In addition, AlignCare connects families with resources needed for both the human and nonhuman family members.