Chicago Veterinarian Launched Student Training Program
The Chicago Village Bus offers local students hands-on veterinary experience at the University of Illinois.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Veterinary Medicine
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In 2025, University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine graduate Dr. Naomi Esquivel established the Chicago Village Bus program. This initiative provides students from Little Village with a full day of clinical training to help bridge educational disparities in her home community.
Why it matters
By creating this program, Dr. Esquivel addressed identified gaps in access to professional veterinary education for students in her neighborhood. The initiative aims to provide hands-on experience for local youth interested in pursuing careers in animal care.
Founded by Dr. Naomi Esquivel, the Chicago Village Bus program launched in 2025 following her graduation from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. The initiative serves the Little Village neighborhood by organizing group trips to the university teaching hospital.
The players
Dr. Naomi Esquivel
A University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine graduate and surgeon who founded the Chicago Village Bus program to mentor local students.
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
A veterinary educational institution that provides the clinical training facilities and teaching hospital resources for the Chicago Village Bus program.
The details
Dr. Esquivel secured the necessary funding for the Chicago Village Bus program with support from the university and various community organizations. The program operates by organizing group trips that offer participating students a full day of hands-on veterinary training in a clinical environment. Dr. Esquivel, who also performs surgeries at the university's teaching hospital, leverages these resources to provide students with exposure to professional veterinary practices.
Timeline
At age 12, Dr. Esquivel founded an animal rescue group in Little Village.
In 2025, Dr. Esquivel graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
The Home Front
The Chicago Village Bus program follows a documented trend of academic institutions expanding professional training access into specific, under-resourced neighborhoods. This initiative mirrors the structure of university-led outreach models designed to lower barriers to entry for specialized health careers.
Families interested in local veterinary training opportunities should monitor the University of Illinois outreach announcements for future Chicago Village Bus schedules. Residents can also support community-based animal rescue groups, as Dr. Esquivel began her career through local animal welfare work.
The takeaway
Dr. Esquivel's journey from a 12-year-old rescue volunteer to a veterinary surgeon illustrates the value of early professional exposure. Local families can encourage interest in animal care by checking for youth programs at nearby teaching hospitals or veterinary colleges.
Further reading
Learn more about local initiatives in Veterinary Medicine.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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