Shelter Animal Medicine Clerkship

The Shelter Animal Medicine clerkship is an elective clinical rotation for junior and senior veterinary students at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. The service was started in 2004 under the direction of Dr. Natalie Isaza. We are part of the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences. Our clinical service seeks to assist veterinary students in developing their basic surgical skills through service learning and community outreach.

This elective clinical rotation is designed to introduce students to the challenges of veterinary practice in both community and shelter environments, and to give experience in spay and neuter techniques of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens. Gone is the day where veterinarians are only utilized for their surgical abilities in a shelter; more and more shelters across the country are realizing the value of a highly skilled veterinarian in keeping the shelter population healthy.

We emphasize the importance of disease control in the shelter situation, review vaccination strategies for shelters, and discuss preventive medicine programs. Other topics to be discussed include the pet overpopulation crisis facing our community, treatment of heartworm disease, recognizing animal abuse and neglect, and the importance of community involvement in reducing the number of unwanted animals in our local shelters.

 View photos and read stories about the dedication of the Barbara and Arnold Grevior Shelter Medicine Suite – the first of its kind – in the February 2012 edition of the Veterinary Page and the March 2012 edition of Critter Magazine.