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Most veterinarians, myself included, spend most of our days taking care of animals that have owners. I’ve spent some time at shelters and have, in the past, taken care of some of the animals that were housed at our local shelter when they were either sick or injured. As such, I have a little understanding of how shelter medicine differs from the type of practice where I am employed.
I admit I’ve never worked solely as a “shelter veterinarian” though although I admire those that do. The challenges that these veterinarians face on a day to day basis are much different than those I face in my practice. To understand exactly how different the discipline of shelter medicine is, I suggest you hop over to Edie Jarolim’s blog Will My Dog Hate Me and read Shelter Medicine: Veterinary Challenges and Solutions.
Edie’s post explains very nicely the difference between shelter medicine and private practice. She points out that shelter medicine involves dealing with animals that have no history on record. Often, we don’t even know for certain how old these animals are. She also points out that practicing shelter medicine is similar in many respects to practicing medicine from a herd health point of view, which is very true. In addition, there’s the impact that the shelter environment can have on both the physical and mental well-being of the animals housed there. Edie talks about the importance of improving environmental conditions. And I absolutely agree with her that the Open Paw Shelter Program is a asset to any shelter that chooses to implement it.
I urge you to visit Edie’s post and read more about shelter medicine and the challenges that are faced trying to keep shelter animals happy and healthy. I think it will give you a new perspective, especially if you’ve spent little time in a shelter environment.
Photo Courtesy of jeffreyw/Flickr.com
About Lorie Huston, DVM
Lorie Huston is a veterinarian, pet health and pet care expert, professional writer, blogger, social media and blogging consultant, and SEO strategist.
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You bring up a very good point… a lot of people don’t consider the effects that the environment has on animals. Many animals may become depressed or get sick from stress if they are in a shelter that is not clean or is crowded. Instead of just treating the symptoms, it’s important to consider what may be causing the symptoms. Shelter medicine should be different from private practice medicine, but to someone like me who hasn’t spent much time at an animal shelter, this wouldn’t be obvious at first.
Very true, Aria. And providing a non-stressful atmosphere not only keeps animals healthier but it makes them less likely to hide in a corner or strike out in an aggressive fashion from fear. An outgoing, friendly animal is much more likely to find a home than one that is growling and/or hiding.
Thanks for your support.