Shelter Medicine and Companion Animal Population Health
SAMS 5370
1 hour
Shelter Medicine and Companion Animal Population Health
Course Description
Students will learn foundational concepts in animal sheltering and companion animal population health to understand the critical role of veterinarians in protecting community animal health and welfare. This course will emphasize preventive healthcare protocols, behavioral health, enrichment, animal housing, population management, sanitation, outbreak response, community cat management, and spay/neuter techniques.
Athena Title
Shelter Medicine
Non-Traditional Format
This course is taught in a 13-week elective period for a total of 15 contacts.
Prerequisite
Enrollment in Doctor of Veterinary Medicine curriculum
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
S/U (Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory)
Student learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students should recognize different types of shelters with different missions, facilities, and resources.
By the end of this course, students should be able to describe the role of animal shelters in society, including public safety and animal social services.
By the end of this course, students should be able to demonstrate understanding and knowledge of pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical signs, diagnosis, and management of infectious diseases common in the shelter environment.
By the end of this course, students should be able to outline strategies for managing populations of animals within the shelter and how to monitor key metrics including length of stay and capacity for care in order to improve outcomes and promote One Health.
By the end of this course, students should be able to recognize methods, laws, guidelines, and management surrounding euthanasia and how to create a humane plan for a patient to provide euthanasia safely.
By the end of this course, students should be able to discuss the importance of behavioral care and enrichment in the shelter and describe the relationship between stress and disease.
By the end of this course, students should understand procedures and techniques in pediatric and high quality, high volume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) anesthesia, surgery, and analgesia.
By the end of this course, students should be able to describe the veterinarian’s role in recognition and reporting of suspect animal abuse and perform basic steps in a forensic medical examination, including physical exam, evidence collection, photography, and documentation.
By the end of this course, students should be able to assess the impact of housing and environment on animal health, behavior, and welfare.
By the end of this course, students should understand current challenges in animal shelters and be familiar with innovative strategies to maximize welfare and protect the human-animal bond, including intake diversion programs, community cat management programs, and improving access to veterinary care and resources for underserved members of the community.
Topical Outline
1. Introduction to Shelter Medicine and History of Animal Sheltering
2. Population Management
3. Facility Design and Housing
4. Sanitation
5. Behavioral Health and Enrichment
6. Preventive Healthcare for Companion Animal Populations
7. Public Health
8. Outbreak Investigation
9. Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Recognition of Animal Abuse
