Dr. Hank Wietsma has been a vital part of the veterinary community in Rhode Island for greater than 20 years. He obtained his Bachelor of Science from Fairfield University in 1978, a Master of Science in Reproductive Immunology from Ohio State University in 1981, and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida in 1985. In 1997, Dr. Wietsma became board certified through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Avian Medicine and has maintained certification since. Dr. Wietsma is a past president of the Rhode Island Veterinary Medical Association, current president of the Companion Animal Foundation, a non-profit organization that he helped establish which provides funding of veterinary care to underprivileged owners in Rhode Island. In June 2016, Dr. Wietsma also opened the Pets in Need Clinic in Riverside, Rhode Island, to provide high quality veterinary care to animals whose owners have faced severe financial challenges. Dr. Wietsma was also named the Rhode Island Veterinarian of the Year in 2016.