Education & Training

The Association of Shelter Veterinarians works to educate animal shelter professionals at all levels on a number of topics germane to animal welfare. This education is provided through onsite training and through seminars conducted at regional and national conferences and focused on:

• Animal disease control
• Vaccination protocols
• Euthanasia procedures
• Early spay & neutering
• Forensics
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
• Diagnostic Testing

Externship, Internship and Residency Opportunities in Shelter Medicine

The number of shelters in the United States increases every year. Many new positions are opening for shelter veterinarians and those already in place are being asked to take a more active role in animal welfare and population health issues within the sheltering community. This has created a need for veterinarians with advanced training and experience in shelter medicine.

The Association of Shelter Veterinarians has compiled lists of advanced training opportunities (externships, internships and residencies) to help you begin your search. These are not comprehensive lists and inclusion on a list does not imply ASV endorsement of these programs. The ASV has neither evaluated nor officially approved these educational opportunities. It is the responsibility of the potential student to thoroughly investigate each program.

Externships

This reference contains numerous listings for externships offered to veterinary students interested in learning more about shelter medicine while gaining valuable clinical experience. Instructions for submitting information on additional externship program can be found on the last page of this document. (updated January 2010)

Click here for a list of externship opportunities

Internships and Residencies

The increasing importance of shelter medicine within the veterinary community has led to new careers in education, consulting, and research aimed at advancing the field of shelter medicine. This reference contains a listing of post doctoral internships and residencies available to veterinarians.

Click here for a list of internship and residency opportunities