Shelter Medicine Veterinary Residency Program

The Shelter Medicine Residency experience at San Diego Humane Society trains veterinarians to apply extraordinary medical skills with versatility and compassion for the inseparable needs of veterinary patients and humans. One of the only opportunities of its kind in the country, the Shelter Medicine Residency equips participants with the tools they need to be a leader and specialist in the field of shelter medicine — making a difference not just in the lives of animals in need, but in the health of a community as a whole.

Approved by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP), the shelter medicine residency is a three-year intensive training program designed to prepare a veterinarian to sit for ABVP Shelter Medicine Practice board examination and certification. As part of their training, the resident will: 

• Expand clinic medicine and surgical skills.
• Perform shelter consultations and visit a variety of animal shelters around the country.
• Gain experience in veterinary forensics.
• Participate in disaster response.
• Complete clinical rotations at local private specialty hospitals.
• Participate in a journal club.
• Speak at conferences.
• Complete a research project focused on the field of shelter medicine.
• And much more!