• The Malden Brook Farm Heritage Center, located in West Boylston. The Center is devoted to historical preservation through its orchards, farmland, wetlands, and fully restored vintage tractors and other vintage farm vehicles and equipment. Landmarks, buildings, equipment and memorabilia of this century-old family farm trace the last 100 years of farming life and transportation in the rugged New England landscape.

• A Biosurveillance Center (ABC) at Malden Brook. ABC will be a resource for preserving and observing the northern hardwood forest ecosystem and associated aquatic ecosystems in central Massachusetts. The ecologic systems within the Malden Brook watershed will be the subject of continuous and detailed scientific study. ABC at Malden Brook will serve as an international cooperative research and educational facility for veterinarians, medical scientists, biologists,  students and the public alike.            

Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Most schools of veterinary medicine in the United States were created at the nation’s Land Grant colleges. As such, these schools established a sound basis of veterinary medicine to help protect our farmed animal food sources and thus human life. Consequently, as recently as 50 years ago, most veterinarians came from farm and agricultural backgrounds. Veterinarians who have lived and worked on farms understand the close interaction between their farm animals and the local wildlife. These veterinarians did not need to depend on textbooks for this unique experience.

For decades, it was common to see the local vet traveling by pickup from one farm to the next, dressed in boots and coveralls, to treat the cows, horses and other farm animals. And if any of the farm’s dogs and cats needed treatment, they were also included. Malden Brook Farm was no different.  

Today, though this kind of practical, first-hand knowledge is vital to veterinary medicine, the challenges of veterinary medicine and agriculture in the 21st century have altered the picture.

Highways, sub-divisions, climate change, and air, ground and water pollution are major environmental challenges. As our species grows in number and expands its footprint into areas previously the domain of wildlife, we inexorably push that wildlife further and further into more confined areas close to human civilization. Thus it becomes the responsibility of humans to protect the affected wildlife. Otherwise, within the next 50 years, future generations will no longer recognize where these animals and birds once lived. And the challenges these animals face will surely threaten their existence.

Veterinary practices can monitor disease trends that threaten both humans and animals, including domesticated animals and wildlife. Many illnesses and other health problems dramatically illustrate the close relationship between environmental health and the health of humans and animals. For example, Lyme disease can be transmitted by deer and infect dogs and humans. Rabies, giardia and arsenic in water are among other problems.

Today, the value to society of our agricultural lands is far greater than merely a place for another amusement park or sub-division. For the good of so many, veterinary medicine should continue on the mission for which the veterinary schools were founded many decades ago.

In this respect, the programs at Malden Brook Farm are unique. They embrace a tradition of New England agriculture together with the practice of veterinary medicine through the Robert J. Tashjian, V.M.D. Animal Medical Center. This unique resource contributes significantly to meeting some of the most urgent challenges of the 21st century.

AVMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.

AVMF is proud to be affiliated with the following organizations:

The Robert J. Tashjian, V.M.D. Animal Medical Center, of West Boylson, an AAHA-approved animal hospital.

The Harbin Veterinary Research Institute (HVRI), one of China's earliest research institutes of veterinary medicine. HVRI is part of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS).

News and Information

May 31, 2012 scheduled hearing

Response and Explanation to March 8, 2012 seizing of AVMF horses and misrepresentation to TV and Print Journalism.

Rare Horses in EIA/HIV Research Rescued from Dangerous 4,500-Mile Journey, Press Release, August 15, 2011.