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One way to characterize
expertise in shelter veterinary medicine is to think about
general attributes—think of them as “meta-skills”— needed
across almost this whole range of specific tasks. Shelter
veterinarians need a proficiency in what F. Scott Fitzgerald
called “divergent thinking” and defined as “the ability to
hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and
still retain the ability to function.” “Divergent thinking”
of a high order is needed in the “population medicine” which
permeates shelter work. A related skill is the ability to
proceed effectively in the face of uncertainty and
ambiguity. Shelter
practice involves both the mentality and practices of
companion animal medicine, where each animal is a unique and
valued patient, and populations that entails constantly
making decisions that balance the interests of the
individual patient and the interests of the group.
Therefore, the shelter specialist also needs to have
training in ethics and economics, especially as it pertains
to animal shelters. All of the activity areas are either
unique or have a unique ‘spin’ because of the shelter
setting. Even ‘regular’ clinical tasks such as spay/neuter
surgery and treatment of the sick take on new challenges
under shelter imperatives.
A shelter veterinarian must
learn to deliver the best quality care possible in an
environment that is often low tech, low touch, and low cost
with minimal owner/guardian influence. Treatment will be
dictated and limits reached faster, particularly as the
volume of shelter animals increases. Triage is a large part
of shelter medicine , both for allocating medical care as
well as determining adoptability.
Much of shelter medicine is a “once-removed” medicine. To an
extent not common in companion animal practice, the
veterinarian must rely on numerous others to be the eyes and
hands that monitor conditions, perform essential tasks, and
accomplish goals. For example, a lapse in sanitary practices
by yesterday’s new hire can imperil the finest disease
control program. The shelter veterinarian needs to be
comfortable with often playing the role of ‘coach’ rather
than hands-on ‘player’—and needs to develop the good
leadership, training, and team-building skills needed for
that ‘coaching’ role.
The whole field of shelter
operations operates against a data-poor background. Compared
to other forms of veterinary practice, a shelter
veterinarian will need to learn how to make often difficult
decisions in the face of poor resources with the added
pressure of unrealistic community expectations, and often do
this in something of a high-visibility ‘fishbowl.’
Success—even survival—in
shelter work requires a well-developed capacity to cope with
stress. Bernie Rollin has mentioned the unique “moral
stress” entailed in euthanatizing animals the worker and
organization are dedicated to protect.
The Basics:
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Infectious disease
Heavy emphasis on the
principles of infectious disease presentation,
pathogenesis, diagnosis, management. Will see them more
frequently and in greater quantity than private practice.
Include but not limited to, URI, Kennel cough,
Panleukopenia, Parvo, Distemper, Other infectious causes
of diarrhea, Ringworm, common internal parasites, common
external parasites, FIP, FeLV, FIV ,Rabies.
Expert understanding of how physical plant, disinfection
and quarantine procedures influence the spread and
prevention of infectious disease.
Vaccination
General principles of vaccinations
Familiarity with methods of developing and assessing
vaccinations. Familiarity with current literature on
vaccinations, focusing on vaccinations for common shelter
conditions.
Principles of herd immunity, role of maternal immunity,
and developing vaccinations programs in the face of
constant challenge with infectious agents
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Diagnostic testing
Emphasis on testing for all
infectious diseases listed above
Sample collection: site, timing, technique, handling,
options
Microscopy, serology, molecular diagnostic testing,
bacterial and viral culture, clinical pathology
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Animal Behavior
General principles of
animal behavior, Familiarity with methods of treating most
common behavior problems of shelter animals Temperament
testing/ other behavior assessment techniques Training
programs designed to modify behavior of shelter animals to
improve adoptability – emphasis on programs designed to
target all shelter animals rather than rehab programs
designed for individual animals.
Understanding how shelter physical plant and management
systems can contribute to, or prevent animal behavior
problems. Recognizing, preventing, and treating behavioral
problems associated with shelter housing Feral/severely
under-socialized cat and dog socialization; field capture
techniques and animal transport for a wide variety of
species Dealing with severely frightened or aggressive
animals while maintaining safety for veterinarians and
staff.
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Euthanasia
Expert level of competence
in selecting a route and method of euthanasia that is
appropriate to the age, species and condition of animal
Ability to manage high levels of grief and stress
personally and ability to help others manage these issues
as well
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Legal and policy issues
Expert level understanding
of the state anti-cruelty laws, relevant national
statutes, the laws of evidence, forensic examination crime
scene preservation, courtroom testimony. Have a feeling
for the tenor of current animal protection/animal rights
activity
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Shelter management
Understand the different
models for sheltering and current issues facing these
groups: no-kill/controlled admission, non-profit open
admission with govt. contract, govt. run agencies, foster
care, breed rescue, feral cat caregivers Basic
understanding of animal adoption programs, animal
marketing concepts, animal housing plans, shelter
personnel structures. Familiarity with resources available
for shelters, including state and national groups,
conferences.
Familiarity with common computer software used in
shelters. Understand how to manage public / client
relations that may occur in a highly emotional, if not
adversarial environment.
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Public health
Protection of public health
and safety related to rabies, other zoonoses, and
animal-inflicted injuries.
Promotion of community animal health and well-being
through education/ outreach activities. Understand
principles of management of nuisance wildlife as well as
exotic or dangerous wildlife species. Expertise in
zoonoses control and prevention, not just from domestic
species but also from exotic animals.
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Reproductive control
High-volume sterilization
surgery for animal population control, prepubertal
sterilization, feral cat sterilization
Knowledge of looming developments in immunocontraception
and chemical contraception
We need to promote public
understanding that the whole cloth of shelter veterinary
medicine is woven of all these threads. The scope of the
discipline is grossly under-appreciated even among other
veterinarians.
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