Scholarship for a future animal shelter vet

When Maloree Barbera first arrived at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary clinic in the summer of 2025, she jumped in with the kind of focus and steadiness that made an immediate impression. Now, as she prepares to enter her third year at Colorado State University’s veterinary program, she’s been named the third recipient of the Megan Salzman Medica and John Kevin Medica Veterinary Scholarship.

Best Friends’ own named shelter veterinarian of the year

The scholarship was created by longtime Best Friends supporter Megan Salzman Medica in honor of her late partner, John Medica — a technology innovator, devoted animal lover, and the man who once told Michael Dell he’d only take the job if he could bring his dog to work. Today, the scholarship provides up to $50,000 per year in tuition and $20,000 in living expenses, along with a commitment to practice at the Sanctuary clinic in Kanab, Utah, for 66 months.

Maloree’s path to veterinary medicine began long before she put on a CSU white coat. During her undergraduate years at the University of Utah, she volunteered with shelters and rescue groups — which laid the groundwork for the clinician she’s becoming. That early experience shows in the way colleagues describe her: someone who balances technical skill with genuine compassion, approaches complex cases with patience and attention to detail, and stays until every task is finished.

“I have always loved animals of every shape and kind,” Maloree explains. “I became passionate about the interconnection between environmental justice and equal opportunity for all. These three core interests combined encouraged me to pursue a career as a veterinarian. This way I can help animals, contribute to conservation efforts, and provide access to care for those in need.”

How a visit to Best Friends inspired a young girl to become a veterinarian

Since her first summer volunteering at the Sanctuary, she has returned during every school break, becoming a familiar and trusted member of the clinic team.

Judah Battista, chief Sanctuary officer, shared his excitement about her selection: “Maloree represents everything this scholarship was created to support. We’re honored to support her as she continues her training.”

In addition to her work at the Sanctuary, Maloree has participated in six spay/neuter clinics through Best Friends’ Navajo Nation Outreach Program. There, she brought both clinical excellence and a thoughtful sensitivity to the communities she served.

One of her favorite memories from those trips is fostering a puppy from the Navajo Nation named Monkey — a tiny patient who spent a month in Maloree’s care before her parents fell in love and adopted him.

With the support of the scholarship, Maloree will have the resources she needs to finish veterinary school and continue building a career rooted in life-changing surgery, access to care, and community outreach.

As Judah puts it, “This scholarship isn’t just about funding an education. It’s about investing in a future where more animals get the care they deserve.”

Our goal at Best Friends is to support all animal shelters in the U.S. in reaching no-kill. No-kill means saving every dog and cat in a shelter who can be saved, accounting for community safety and good quality of life for pets. 

Shelter staff can’t do it alone. Saving animals in shelters is everyone’s responsibility, and it takes support and participation from the community. No-kill is possible when we work together thoughtfully, honestly, and collaboratively.