With help from a UF veterinary student, a local author and alumna fulfills her lifelong dream

When second-year veterinary student Kaitlyn Lystad signed up for the Putting Families First program at the University of Florida at the start of her freshman year, she expected to help someone with health-related issues. Instead, she found herself on an unexpected journey to publish a children’s book.

Putting Families First is a required course for first-year students across UF’s six health colleges, including the College of Veterinary Medicine. The program pairs small groups of students with community volunteers, aiming to teach person-centered care and interprofessional teamwork.