Who We Are

At AlignCare Health, we believe that caring for people means caring for their pets, too.

Born out of the University of Tennessee’s Program for Pet Health Equity, AlignCare was founded by Dr. Michael Blackwell, DVM, MPH, to bridge a critical gap in public health: families often struggle to access healthcare, housing, or crisis support because existing systems don’t account for the role of pets in family wellbeing. Early pilots showed that when families receive coordinated support for both human and animal needs, everyone benefits. Stress decreases, access to care improves, and communities grow stronger.

In 2023, AlignCare became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supported by Maddie’s Fund, making it the first nonprofit in the nation dedicated to aligning veterinary and human healthcare. Our early programs connected families with affordable veterinary support and kept pets and the people who love them together.

Building on that foundation, AlignCare has evolved into a national catalyst for systems change. Under the leadership of Executive Director Anna Stout, CAWA, our focus is on legislative policy innovation, thought leadership, and public health integration, helping healthcare, social service, and veterinary sectors work together toward a shared goal: a future where pets are recognized as part of the family, and their wellbeing is a vital part of human health.