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- Somebody is happy to be studying shelter medicine!
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- Students attending Community Cats spay lab
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- Veterinary students and technicians prepare a dog for exam
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- Jennie Dapice Feinstein Lecture (HAI/CAPP)
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- A student and resident discuss patient care with a client at Tufts at Tech
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- A student and patient at Lerner Clinic
What is shelter medicine?
Shelter Medicine is a field of veterinary medicine dedicated to the care and needs of underserved animals. At Tufts, the Shelter Medicine Program works with underserved animals such as community cats, shelter animals and animals belonging to pet owners in need, while teaching students practice-ready skills. A host of area partners work with the school to provide opportunities for students to observe and gain experience working in shelters in Massachusetts. Learn more…
Research in the Center for Shelter Dogs
The Center for Shelter Dogs (CSD) at Cummings School is a research institute, which conducts research to improve the welfare and successful placement of homeless dogs as well as dogs at risk for homelessness. Central to this mission is the dissemination of research results through the education of shelter professionals, veterinary students, and graduate students.
An initiative of the Shelter Medicine Program, CSD is housed within the Center for Animals and Public Policy (CAPP) at Cummings School. CSD offers shelters evidence-based information and tools designed to better assess, understand and improve the welfare and stress of dogs in shelters. CSD’s research is focused in several areas, including:
- Discovering ways to measure and reduce stress affecting shelter dogs
- Developing improved tools for identifying and working with problem behaviors in dogs
- Exploring reasons for surrender in order to increase retention of dogs in homes
- Determining effective marketing and placement strategies for dogs
- Serving as a resource for other shelters, organizations, and individuals by providing research-based information, tools consultations, and outreach opportunities
CSD allows the Shelter Medicine Program to disseminate information about animal welfare, provides shelters with access to behavioral information and resources and affords students the opportunity to contribute by getting involved through classes in Shelter Medicine or by participating in a research project.