Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement Program
What We Do
The Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement Program focuses shelter medicine efforts not only within the sheltering facility, but includes a wider sociological, economic, and cultural perspective. This allows for a greater examination of human-animal-environmental interactions and link between human and animal health.
Shelter medicine is a crucial aspect of veterinary care, as shelters play a vital role in community public health. They are also leaders in providing access to care and knowledge, encompassing an essential part of One Health.
The Penn Vet helter Medicine and Community Engagement Program not only provides medical care to those who need it, as we also interact with community members and engage in outreach to try to prevent animals from ever entering the sheltering system in the first place. The program also works in partnership with community organizations to build towards common goals in human, animal, and environmental health including training, research, education, and access.
By the numbers
Shelter Medicine Statistics
Students enrollments
in courses taught by shelter medicine faculty since 2017
Service hours provided
by Penn Vet faculty and sturdents since 2017
Animal intakes
by Philadelphia shelter partners since 2017
of care provided by Ryan Hospital
through the Richard Lichter Charity for Dogs program since 2017
Research
The Penn Vet Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement Program strongly emphasizes evidence-based practices, research, and program evaluation. Our program also helps teach new generations of veterinarians and researchers in these areas
Clinical Care
Clinical services are offered in some partner sheltering facilities in the Philadelphia area directly via the educational training opportunities and consultation work. We also provide community services with our partners via at-home visits, telemedicine, and other services. By making the Penn Vet helter Medicine and Community Engagement Program a resource, we are able to help animals in our community through direct care, recommendations, protocols, and strategies that directly improve animal welfare.
Teaching & Education
The Penn Vet Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement Program has experienced significant growth in expanding its influence on veterinary careers, STEAM, humane education, and animal welfare. This progress is due in part to new curricular adjustments and increased community outreach. The program has broadened its educational offerings and introduced a new elective structure, as well as a hybrid student shelter opportunities elective course for second-year students.
The team is actively involved in a range of educational initiatives within and outside of Penn Vet, including contributions to One Health in Action and the international Shelter Medicine Veterinary Educators’ group.
Director, Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement
Brittany Watson, VMD, PhD, DACVPM
Associate Professor of Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement
Philadelphia Community Resources for Pet Owners Handbook
This handbook is intended to serve as a list of community resources for pet owners. The handbook is updated each year, but users should confirm with organizations about availability of services and pricing as these may be subject to change.
Community Events
Penn Vet offers various events and programs to engage with our community. These opportunities, led by dedicated faculty, staff, and students, include community-based workshops and immersive opportunities for all ages and backgrounds.
- Please reach out to be added to our mailing list for local events.
Find Us
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4539
Q&A with Penn Vet’s Karen Verderame (link is external)
Verderame, an outreach educator at the School of Veterinary Medicine, discusses her kinship with misunderstood animals, introducing students to veterinary medicine, the black market for insects, her favorite part of…
Forging Community Connection
Penn Vet Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement programming connects animal sciences, veterinary medicine, and the Philadelphia area. In addition to faculty- and staff-driven programs, the outreach programs offer opportunities for…
The Harold and Judy McKonly Family Foundation Donates $3.4 Million to Penn Vet to Support Shelter Medicine Program
Thanks to a generous gift from The Harold and Judy McKonly Family Foundation, Penn Vet will continue its pioneering work within the field of animal shelter medicine and community outreach.
Shelter Medicine and Community Engagement
Phone: (215) 898-6982
3800 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104