Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation Provides $1.9M Grant for Yes to Care Program, a Collaboration to Improve Access to Veterinary Care

GRAND RAPIDS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Open Door Veterinary Collective has announced a $1.9 Million grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, a private charitable foundation based in Incline Village, Nevada, to develop and implement the Yes to Care program. This three-year unique collaborative pilot program will provide solutions for veterinary teams, and ultimately pet families, to address the rising cost of veterinary care.

Open Door Veterinary Collective has partnered with Varidi and The myBalto Foundation to deliver the Yes to Care Program. Participating veterinary practices will be supported with training, tools and $5,000 to kickstart practices’ Angel Fund to help clients say yes to treatment recommendations:

• Open Door Veterinary Collective provides skill building for staff to build comfort and competence handling financial conversations, helping teams know how and when to present financial and care options.
• Varidi provides guaranteed, in-house payment plan software, so clinics can offer flexibility without credit checks and financial risks.
• The myBalto Foundation provides a customized practice angel fund that allows tax-deductible donations, fundraising opportunities, and guidance, ensuring there’s always a safety net for cases where flexibility alone isn’t enough.

Financial Barriers are Limiting Access to Care

A recent Gallup survey indicates that 94% of veterinarians say that clients’ financial considerations sometimes or often limit their ability to provide care. A second Gallup survey found 52% of U.S. pet owners skipped needed veterinary care in the past year, with 71% citing cost as the key factor. As a result, millions of pets go without care they need.

For Open Door Veterinary Collective, Varidi and The myBalto Foundation, the data underscores the need for additional support for veterinary teams as they navigate access to care challenges.

“Financial limitations don’t just affect clients, they directly impact clinical outcomes, professional fulfillment, and the sustainability of veterinary practices,” said Aimee St. Arnaud, founder of Open Door Veterinary Collective. “Our goal is to give veterinary teams the framework and proven, research-backed payment solutions to help their clients be able to say yes to more treatment recommendations. When teams have the right tools for conversations, it reduces stress and helps build trust.”

Robert Parkins, DVM, co-founder of myBalto Foundation and a veterinarian, understands this firsthand. “Veterinarians get into this profession to help pets and it causes stress when financial constraints limit care they’re able to provide.”

Varidi sees this all too often, “Care is the veterinary teams’ job, making it accessible is ours. Our tool is no interest, no credit checks, and no risk – just more Yes,” said Andrew McDonald, Chief Sales Officer, Varidi, Inc.

Addressing these financial barriers requires investment in practical solutions that work for both veterinary teams and their clients. “Access to veterinary care isn’t about a single financial tool, it’s about making the right decisions at the right time,” said Elsa Patterson, Program Administrator, Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. “The Yes to Care program reflects the kind of collaborative, practical approach we believe is needed to help practices create more intentional paths to care for their clients.”

How to Get Involved

Practices interested in taking part in the initiative or learning more should visit www.yestocare.org to fill out an application for consideration. Space is limited in this pilot program. Visit our booth #4565 at the Western Veterinary Conference in Las Vegas, February 16-18, 2026 to find out more.

About Open Door Veterinary Collective

Open Door Veterinary Collective is a non-profit organization with a focus on building a national network of financially friendly veterinary service available within 50 miles of every U.S. pet owner by 2034 through mentorship, online learning, research, and connecting pet parents to pet services through pethelpfinder.org.

About Varidi

Varidi is a risk-free, in-house payment plan platform that helps veterinary clinics say yes to care without turning pet parents into debtors. By guaranteeing clinic payments while keeping costs transparent and interest-free for families, Varidi removes financial friction in the moment it matters most.

About myBalto Foundation

The myBalto Foundation is a personalized Angel Fund for veterinary hospitals that enables them to provide a lifeline for pets in need. We specialize in creating unique fundraising strategies that provide sustainable community support.

About Duffield Foundation

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF) carries forward the Duffield family’s legacy of supporting transformational programs and services in three core areas: pairing Veterans with Service Dogs, expanding access to care for companion animals, and strengthening local public service organizations. Founded in 2016, DCDF is part of the Duffield Foundation Family, which also includes Maddie’s Fund—a national leader in advancing the well-being of companion animals—and Liberty Dogs, a new Service Dog training facility dedicated to providing life-changing support for Military Veterans living with PTSD.

Contacts

Media Contact
Meg Nowik
Open Door Veterinary Collective
[email protected]
Yestocare.org