VEM5322 - Shelter Medicine
6597578
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Course Description
This course will introduce students to the concepts utilized by successful shelter veterinarians to ensure the animals in their care remain healthy both physically and emotionally. This is an immersive weeklong hands-on experience at a busy Florida animal shelter. Students will work alongside shelter veterinarians, staff, and leadership to gain first-hand experience in shelter operations, infectious disease control, forensics, behavior, patient care, heartworm treatment, surgery, population management, leadership, animal social services, veterinary care in underserved communities, and professional wellness.Course Outline
The onsite schedule is typically 8 am to 5 pm with occasional after-hours activities. Nightly homework will be assigned to prepare for the next day’s activities. The daily schedule of activities will vary to coincide with the best learning opportunities in the shelter. Please refer to Canvas for the schedule of assignments and final examination as well as announcements about any changes to the schedule. Travel and accommodation costs are covered by the shelter medicine program, but students are expected to provide their own meals.
Learner Outcomes
After successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe the key role veterinarians skilled in shelter medicine play in shelter operations and leadership
- Describe characteristics of effective leadership and adapt communication style to colleagues and internal and external stakeholders
- Describe the role of animal shelters in society, including public safety and animal social services
- Design evidence-based protocols for comprehensive wellness, preventive care, husbandry, biosecurity, and disease management, including intake protocols, daily rounds, and treatments
- Develop and administer heartworm treatment plans for infected dogs
- Describe the shelter veterinarian’s role in recognition and reporting of suspected animal abuse
- Perform basic steps in a forensic medical examination, including physical exam, evidence collection, photography, and documentation
- Describe the importance of enrichment and behavioral treatment programs and implement appropriate activities
- Demonstrate safe and low-stress animal handling techniques
- Describe how effective population management, including intake diversion, pathway planning, and minimizing length of stay benefit shelter operations, improve outcomes, and promote One Health
- Explain the importance of targeted spay-neuter and community cat management programs
- Describe gaps in access to veterinary care and different models for meeting the needs of underserved pet owners and diverse communities
- Describe strategies for selecting a compatible position in shelter medicine and creating a positive work environment, displaying cultural competency, maintaining work-life balance, and mitigating the risk of burnout and compassion fatigue in self and staff
Prerequisites
This course requires previous or concurrent enrollment in VEM5321 as a prerequisite. Course enrollment is limited to 14 students. Admission is by online application.Loading...
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