May 27, 2025- MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — Clay County officials today joined representatives from Chewy Health and Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the county’s new Animal Services building in Middleburg, Florida. During the ceremony, Chewy Health pledged a $1 million donation—made in partnership with LMU—to support the construction of an innovative educational space within the new facility.

This specialized room, named the Chewy Health & Lincoln Memorial University Applied Learning Center, will serve as a mixed-use space for LMU veterinary students. Designed to deliver hands-on learning in a real-world shelter environment, the center will play a vital role in training the next generation of veterinarians in shelter medicine, handling techniques and clinical skills. The space will also be available for future community events and educational programming.

“The Chewy Health & LMU Applied Learning Center is a powerful example of what’s possible when education, innovation and community come together,” said Mita Malhotra, President of Chewy Health. “At Chewy Health, we are deeply committed to supporting the broader profession by expanding access to real-world, experiential learning. This pledge reflects our belief that investing in future veterinary leaders strengthens not just the profession, but also the well being of the pets and communities they serve.”

The partnership between the Clay County Board of County Commissioners, Chewy Health, and the LMU College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park brings meaningful benefits to the region across multiple fronts. In addition to enhancing student training opportunities, the new facility will significantly expand the capacity of Clay County Animal Services, enabling staff to perform more advanced medical procedures and improving health outcomes for shelter pets.

“We’re proud to partner with Chewy Health and Clay County on a project that brings lasting benefits to both veterinary education and animal care in our community,” said Kim Carney, Dean of Lincoln Memorial University–College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park. “The Chewy Health and LMU Applied Learning Center will give our students valuable hands-on experience early in their training, while also supporting the vital work happening every day at Clay County Animal Services. At LMU, we’re committed to building strong community partnerships that create real opportunities for service, learning, and shared impact.”

The need for expanded services and infrastructure has grown in recent years as Clay County’s existing animal shelter—located in Green Cove Springs—has struggled with both capacity, and flooding risks during major storms. Despite these challenges, Clay County Animal Services continues to meets the state’s criteria of a no-kill shelter.

“We’re proud of the hard work our staff does each and every day for the animals in our care, and this partnership and new building will only augment those efforts,” said Clay County Commissioner Betsy Condon. “We’re not only building a shelter—we’re building more opportunities for our community, the animals in our county, and the aspiring veterinarians who will one day care for them.”

In addition to this monumental announcement, Clay County leaders invited the public to become a part of its story through Paw-sitive Impacts, a permanent donor wall that will proudly reside in the building’s front lobby.

This display will honor individuals, families, organizations, businesses—and even cherished pets—through personalized engraved paw prints, each representing a generous contribution to the shelter. Every donation made through the Paw-sitive Impacts program will directly support the animal shelter. You can learn more here.

The new Clay County Animal Services building is expected to open in 2026. The Chewy Health & LMU Applied Learning Center will be an integral part of the facility from day one, serving as a key component of LMU veterinary students’ pre-clinical training. This space will provide hands-on experience during their first six semesters on the Orange Park campus, helping prepare them for practice.

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About Chewy Health

Chewy’s mission is to be the most trusted and convenient destination for pet parents and partners everywhere. Chewy Health embodies this spirit with an unparalleled commitment to pets and the people who tirelessly care for them. In response to veterinary care challenges and evolving pet parent needs, Chewy Health is pioneering digital solutions for simple, efficient operations. This leads to more time for hands-on pet care for healthier and happier pets. It’s all part of the commitment at Chewy Health to improve the health of every pet by helping to make veterinary professionals’ jobs easier.

About Lincoln Memorial University

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) is a values-based learning community with its main campus located in Harrogate, Tennessee. The LMU-College of Veterinary Medicine at Orange Park (LMU-OPCVM), located in Orange Park, Florida, extends LMU’s mission to provide educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies as part of LMU’s growing network of medical and health sciences programs. LMU-OPCVM is committed to providing real-world, community-based veterinary education in a collaborative learning environment. LMU-OPCVM is seeking accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education (AVMA-COE). For more information, visit OPVetMed.lmunet.edu or call 1.800.325.0900.

About Clay County

Clay County, Florida, is where tradition meets innovation to foster prosperity, and embodies a deep-rooted sense of family and values. The county is made up of beautiful scenery, borders the St. Johns River southwest of Jacksonville, and is home to more than 236,000 residents. Home to the 73,000-acre Camp Blanding Training Facility and a strong military history, Clay County’s story spans back to 1858. The Clay County Board of County Commissioners remains dedicated to honoring the community’s values, traditions, and rich history, while embracing progress to create a lasting legacy for generations to come.