NYSVMS Practice Connect
In Good Company: Where NY Vets Connect
Building relationships. Strengthening the profession.
NYSVMS Practice Connect is a peer-to-peer outreach initiative designed to strengthen relationships between veterinary hospitals and the broader professional community across New York.
Through simple conversations and personal outreach, volunteer leaders help ensure that practices across the state feel connected, informed, and engaged in the shared future of veterinary medicine.
While one long-term goal is to grow participation and membership within NYSVMS, the first step is building genuine connections and creating pathways for ongoing communication.
This program is not about making a sales pitch. It is about listening, building trust, and opening the door to future engagement.
What volunteers do
Participation is simple, flexible, and built around authentic conversations.
Most outreach takes 20–30 minutes and can happen in person, over coffee, or via a short video call.
Volunteers serve as Practice Connect Ambassadors, helping to build relationships with hospitals in their region and open lines of communication with NYSVMS.
Resources
| Conversation Guide | Suggestions on how to structure the meeting |
| Practice Connect Quick Guide | One page summary of the above |
| Practice Connect What to do if – guide | Answers and responses |
| Scripts for initial contact | How to reach out |
| Champion Practice flyer | For hospitals interested in becoming a Champion Practice |
| Member Benefits Flyer | Summary of member benefits |
| 2025 Impact report | Summary of what we do without being salesy |
1. Choose a hospital
Select or claim a hospital from the outreach list. You can choose one in your region – and even better, one where you might already know someone. We will provide you with background information, lists of employees, notes on other contact with the hospital and if relevant their corporate owner.
2. Reach out and introduce yourself
Send a brief introductory message or make a quick call to introduce yourself as part of the NYSVMS Practice Connect team.
The goal is simply to connect and schedule a short visit. You may need to call via the main office phone # if we don’t have a direct #. Templates and suggested language are available in the volunteer toolkit.
3. Have a conversation
Meet with a practice leader to:
- Learn about their hospital and current priorities
- Listen to their perspectives and challenges
- Understand how connected they feel to the broader profession
This is a conversation, not a presentation. Your role is to listen and build rapport.
4. Share how NYSVMS supports the profession
When appropriate, briefly share how NYSVMS supports veterinarians and practices through:
- advocacy and legislative work
- continuing education and professional development
- community and peer connection
- programs that support the future of veterinary medicine
The goal is not to “sell,” but to help practices understand the value of staying connected.
5. Open the door for future engagement
If there is interest, identify the best way to stay in touch:
- a follow-up conversation
- establish a path for the practice team to hear about NYSVMS events
- sharing additional information
- connecting them with NYSVMS staff
- introducing membership or participation opportunities at the right time
You are helping create a pathway for future engagement, not closing a deal in one conversation.
6. Report back
If there is interest, identify the best way to stay in touch:
- a follow-up conversation
- establish a path for the practice team to hear about NYSVMS events
- sharing additional information
- connecting them with NYSVMS staff
- introducing membership or participation opportunities at the right time
You are helping create a pathway for future engagement, not closing a deal in one conversation.