DVM Core Content
The Tufts Shelter Medicine Program is committed to raising awareness about the needs of shelter animals and the sheltering community among all veterinarians. Therefore part of our program includes elements of the core DVM curriculum.
Human-Animal Relations
This survey course for first-year veterinary students explores the relationships between animals and human society. In this context, considerations for veterinarians in many areas of practice, including Shelter Medicine, are addressed.
Problem-Based Learning
This course is taken by all first- and second-year veterinary students who work through clinical cases with guidance from a facilitator. Shelter medicine and animal welfare-related content are included in the bank of cases.
Veterinary Medicine and the Law
The content in this law course for second-year veterinary students includes legal responsibilities and obligations to homeless animals, animal cruelty laws and veterinary obligations, and the role of humane law enforcement.
Ethics in Veterinary Medicine
This course for second-year veterinary students, includes many issues relevant to Shelter Medicine, such as the ethical issues of pet ownership, ethical and legal obligations to report animal cruelty and ethical problems encountered when pet owners cannot afford needed medical care.
Euthanasia Seminar
This eight-hour seminar for third-year veterinary students includes content addressing euthanasia in shelter setting. In this lecture students learn how shelter euthanasia can differ from private practice euthanasia, as well as the current best practice protocols for euthanasia within a shelter setting.