Pet parents who choose AHS for end-of-life euthanasia services may elect to donate their pet’s body (if 70 pounds or less) for veterinary student training at the University of Minnesota.

Through this generous act, donors to the willed body program help advance the field of veterinary medicine and educate tomorrow’s veterinarians. Donors may find comfort in knowing their pet helped train the next generation of animal caregivers.

The University of Minnesota’s veterinary program is renowned for its emphasis on experiential learning. Students use lifelike models to practice their skills, but access to donated cadavers increases the number of learning opportunities and provides a better learning experience.

Bodies donated through this program are used for instruction only and cremated once the training is complete.

For more information, please call our Pet Helpline at 952-435-7738 or send us a message.

This program is offered only to the families of privately owned animals that are brought to Animal Humane Society for end-of-life euthanasia services. Shelter animals will not be considered for this program. AHS does not provide animals to the University of Minnesota or any other organization for animal research.