Our Mission

At Bridge to Care Veterinary Foundation, we believe that financial hardship should never be the reason a beloved companion goes without necessary veterinary care.

Our mission is to provide financial assistance for veterinary treatment to qualifying pet owners in our community who are facing financial hardship. By helping bridge the gap between what a family can afford and the care their pet needs, we strive to keep pets healthy, families together, and compassionate veterinary care accessible to those who need it most.

Why We Exist

Veterinary medicine has advanced tremendously, giving us more opportunities than ever to diagnose and treat our patients. But sometimes, the cost of that care can become an overwhelming barrier for families.

We created Bridge to Care to help provide another option when that barrier stands between a pet and the treatment they need.

Our support is intended for cases where veterinary care has a reasonable expectation of improving a pet's quality of life and where financial circumstances may otherwise prevent the family from pursuing that care.

Meet Our Founder

Dr. Aric Swihart, DVM

Dr. Aric Swihart is a local veterinarian serving pets and families throughout Kosciusko County, Indiana. His practice focuses on small animal primary care and emergency medicine, where he has seen firsthand how financial limitations can sometimes stand between a family and the care their pet desperately needs.

Driven by a deep passion for veterinary medicine and his community, Dr. Swihart founded Bridge to Care Veterinary Foundation with a simple goal: to help bridge that gap and give more pets access to the veterinary care they need.

Dr. Swihart hopes to see Bridge to Care grow over time, but believes success isn't measured by how large the foundation becomes. If Bridge to Care is able to make a difference in the life of even 10 animals each year, that is success. Every pet helped is a family given hope, and every life made better is worth the effort.

“I started Bridge to Care because I believe financial hardship should not automatically mean a pet cannot receive the care they need. If we can help even a handful of families each year, we are making a difference—and that's what matters.”