Passionate Teacher and Animal Welfare Researcher

Emily McCobb, VG02, V00 (she/her/hers)
Clinical associate professor of anesthesiology
Director, Shelter and Community Medicine program
Assistant director, Center for Animals and Public Policy

What is your hometown and/or where did you spend your adolescent years?
I lived on the West Coast before moving to Massachusetts in 1996 to go to veterinary school at Tufts. I was born in Portland, Oregon, and spent my adolescent years in the Portland suburbs before attending college in Los Angeles. 

What inspired you to become an educator or researcher? 
During residency I discovered a passion for teaching veterinary students. I also realized that I wanted to work on animal welfare and policy issues through research. My current passion is preparing veterinary students to practice in a variety of settings to enhance the spectrum of care. 

What do you most enjoy about working at Cummings School?
I love that I can learn new things every day and I love working with younger people who give me hope for the future. I also love how at Cummings you have the freedom to try innovative ideas, new initiatives, and programs.

What is your passion (professionally and/or personally)? 
I am passionate about access to veterinary care and using the human-animal bond to make the world a better place for animals and people. Shelter and community medicine and anesthesia are the disciplines in which I work, but they have the shared goal of improving veterinary care and veterinary teaching. We believe all pets deserve access to veterinary care. 

What might someone be surprised to learn about you? 
I am a big sports fan. My favorite sports to watch are tennis, basketball, and football—although my husband often forces me to watch soccer. 

Tell us about your pets. 
I have nine: three dogs, three cats, two guinea pigs and a rabbit. I also have three kids, one each in elementary, middle, and high school.