Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine adopted the Josh and Friends Project a few years ago and it has proved to be a fulfilling way for students to give back to their community on the island of St. Kitts. The RUSVM Josh Project has provided "15 "Josh Kits", 2 rocking chairs, with Josh & Friends covers, and a variety of coloring books and crayons to the Joseph N. France General Hospital pediatric ward" (club chair)...with lots more to come!

In order to raise money for their cause, which is to provide more Josh Kits and other necessities to hospitalized children, they hold two special fundraisers each semester. Because of the trimester academic calendar at Ross, this means that they actually hold a total of six fundraising events per year! The first one is a Coin Fundraiser in which the seven semester classes on the island compete to raise the most money in their water jugs over a week's time, with paper bills counting negatively. The classes compete to win so that the professor, or professors, of their choice, who have volunteered, are subjected to a little fun. For example, last semester, the seventh semester class won...meaning that Dr. St. Jean, their appointed "volunteer", had to dress up as Zorro and "dual" another professor...

The second event is a Professor Cook-off.  Professors volunteer to compete in the themed cook-off and students pay to enter and serve as the judges, taste testing each appetizer, entree  and dessert. There is also a catered buffet available, along with a kids corner (face painting, coloring, etc.), corn hole/sand bag toss, and the mascot, Josh, is even in attendance for spectator and taste tester meet-n-greets.

Not only does the organization host events to raise funds, but they also sell fleece pullover RUSVM logo jackets to students and faculty. (I know it may seem odd...fleece pullover + Caribbean island campus, but trust me, when the classroom air conditioning temperature is set at Antarctica, you can believe that a fleece fundraiser will provide plenty of profits!)

In addition to these FUNdraisers, the RUSVM Josh Project is now reaching beyond its island community for generous donations and contributions. It is also reaching out to expand the knowledge of what a little "puppy love" can do for the heart of a child in a critical, scary, or unfamiliar situation. Please see JoshandFriends.org to read more about our organization, how we came to be, and what our future has to offer!

If you feel inclined to contribute to our philosophy and mission, please visit the following link:

"For centuries dogs have been woven into the heart of humankind. From celebrated rescues, to wartime heroism, to canine ventures into space, to countless stories of companionship, the powerful connection between dogs and people has become the stuff of legend. It's no wonder then that increasingly, medical studies are zeroing in on the undisputed healing power dogs can have on hospitalized patients — especially children." ~Josh and Friends

"Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world" (Desmond Tutu).