Auburn Vet Med Community Wellness Initiative

The Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to providing an environment that encourages habits of wellness, increases availability of resources contributing to well-being and inspires individuals to take responsibility for their own physical, mental and spiritual health.

The Dean’s Office and Office of Academic Affairs are committed to providing a culture of wellness across the Auburn Vet Med community by enhancing wellness through:

1. providing two full-time embedded counselors to provide services to students and house officers;
2. adding dedicated wellness blocks to the schedules of all DVM students in the 1st through 5th semesters;
3. incorporating wellness content into the professional DVM curriculum;
4. supporting the first national Not One More Veterinarian (NOMV) student representative; and
5. streamlining examination schedules.

Meet the CVM Counselors

Email to make an appointment!

Mary Catherine Turner

Mary Catherine Turner

(334) 844-2685
mct0023@auburn.edu

Mary Catherine is the embedded counselor for Auburn Vet Med, providing individual counseling to veterinary students, residents, interns and graduate students, as well as consultation and resources as needed for faculty and staff. Her goal is to provide veterinary students with a supportive environment to share concerns and learn to effectively manage those concerns while simultaneously becoming a healthy and successful veterinarian. She graduated from Auburn University with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor. Her clinical interests include transition, anxiety, interpersonal relationships and compassion fatigue. Outside of work, Mary Catherine enjoys time at Lake Martin, spending time with family and friends and shopping for bargains.

Christy Newberry

cln0014@auburn.edu

Christy is the embedded Licensed Psychologist for Auburn Vet Med, providing therapy and consultation services. She earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University, Chicago, a master’s in Clinical Psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s degree in Professional Psychology from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. Christy incorporates warmth, empathy, and humor into her strengths-based, collaborative approach. Specific clinical interests include compassion fatigue, burnout, stress, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and trauma. Originally from southeast Tennessee, Christy enjoys coffee shops, spending time with her sister, friends, and her sweet rescue pup, Joy.

Wellness Nook

AUCVM’s Wellness Nook was purposefully designed to create a safe space for students. Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed, need some silence, relaxation, or a change in study scenery? We welcome you to take a seat in the Wellness Nook and to use our in-house relaxation and wellness tools so that you can get in the right headspace to conquer whatever is coming next. This room includes a Book Nook for students to donate to and rent books from, aromatherapy oils with a diffuser, a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) light, yoga mats, comfortable chairs and couches, a white noise machine, inspirational wall art, and a binder full of wellness resources.

Thank you to Auburn’s SAVMA organization and AVF funding for this room.

Wellness Events

Dedicated Wellness Week Every Spring Semester

5 days full of wellness meetings, outdoor events, and wellbeing baskets/prizes for students.

Dedicated Wellness Series Every Fall Semester

One meeting every 2 weeks, each focused on 1 of the 9 wellness pillars.

CVM Recreational Center

Free exercise classes and equipment for students, faculty and staff.

Weekly group exercise program:
Total body workout
Yoga
Weight Training
Kobudo

Professional Self Care Skills Course

Available for all 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students

Includes lectures about resiliency, emotional self-awareness, empathetic exhaustion, and more.

Wellness Resources

Campus Resources

Physical & Mental Health

Food, Shelter & Clothing

  • Auburn Cares
    Auburn Cares is designed to support students throughout their college career in order to best achieve their academic and co-curricular goals.
    (334) 844-1305
  • Campus Career Closet
    Provides students access to FREE professional attire appropriate for career fairs, interviews, networking events and the workplace.
    (334) 844-4744
  • Campus Food Resources
    Multiple resources for food insecurity including the Campus Food Pantry, Feed the Family Fund and Share Meals programs.

Safety

Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Assault

  • Safe Harbor
    Safe Harbor believes, supports and assists students and employees of Auburn University who have experienced power-based personal violence, including dating/domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking/ harassment.
    (334)-844-SAFE(7233)

Access and Opportunity

Academic-Related Stress

Financial

Glen Sellers teaches the Professional Development and Business course during first year and counsels Auburn Vet Med students to help prepare for their financial future and handle student debt with confidence.

On-Campus & Area Activity Opportunities

On-Campus

  • Donald E. Davis Arboretum
    The Donald E. Davis Arboretum is a 13.5 acre botanic garden facility located in the heart of Auburn.
  • AUCVM Wellness Center: basement level of Bailey Teaching Hospital.
  • AU Recreation Center
  • Yoga at the vet school: check emails and the community calendar to see when sessions are being held.

Off-Campus

  • Chewacla State Park 
    Chewacla State Park’s 696 scenic acres offer a 26-acre lake, swimming area, playground, a modern campground, picnic areas with tables, grills and shelters, cabins, hiking and mountain biking trails.
  • Town Creek Park 
  • Dinius Park
  • Kiesel Park 
    Kiesel Park is Auburn’s largest park, with a pavilion, a garden, a pond and a walking trail with a distance of 2 1/4 miles.

External Resources

Physical & Mental Health

Compassion Fatigue

Academic-Related Stress

Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Assault

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Body Image/Self-Esteem

Financial

Miscellaneous

Emotional Support Animals