Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation

Looking to Help?

To donate by check, please make payable to “WJE” and mail to WJE at 8550 United Plaza Blvd, Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809. If you would like to designate your contribution more specifically, please put either “Greatest Need,” “Animal Relief,” "Equine Relief," "Veterinarian Relief," or "Memorial Gift" on the memo line. To donate by credit card by phone, please call our office at 225-928-5862. To donate online, please select the fund you wish to support below.

Looking for Assistance?

Grant/Loan Program

Veterinarians and their employees that are affected by a disaster and veterinarians who provide relief to animals from or in affected areas are eligible for grants and/or loans through the Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation. Please see the link to the grant/loan application form below and a link to a brochure with information about the loan program through Iberia Bank. Please read the “Grant Operating Procedures” thoroughly before completing the form and contact the Foundation’s office, which is also the LVMA office, for any questions regarding the programs.

• Iberia Bank Loan Information
• Walter J. Ernst Grant/Loan Application Form and Grant Operating Procedures  

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Dr. Walter J. Ernst, Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation shall be to implement philanthropic efforts to advance public and professional education, to promote animal well-being and humane treatment, to improve veterinary medical technology, to support the ideals of the Foundation, to ensure the future of veterinary medicine, to protect the public, to maintain the highest ethical standards, to provide relief in the wake of a natural disaster by providing relief to suffering animals, providing relief and financially supporting financially needy veterinarians and their employees, providing emergency hardship relief to veterinarians and their employees and preventing community deterioration and lessening the burdens of government by supporting skilled veterinarians and their employees in areas affected by natural disasters to ensure they remain in the affected area, and any other purposes allowed under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3).

Trustees

• Dr. Patrick Thistlethwaite - President

  Plaquemine, LA

• Dr. Christie McHughes - Vice President

  Covington, LA
  District 7

• Dr. Kathleen Mullins - Treasurer

  Crowley, LA
  District 6

• Dr. Amy Christ

  Eunice, LA
  District 2

• Dr. Liz Waguespack

  Carencro, LA
  District 6

Download Dr. Walter J. Ernst Jr. Veterinary Memorial Foundation Brochure