Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine

American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) Canine/Feline Residency in Community Medicine (2026–2028)

Program Overview

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University is accepting applications for its 2026–2028 American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) Canine/Feline Residency in a community medicine setting.

This unique residency prepares veterinarians for specialty certification in Canine/Feline Practice while emphasizing:

  • Accessible veterinary care for underserved communities
  • Advanced medical and surgical case management
  • Clinical teaching and mentorship
  • Community-based veterinary medicine
  • Academic and professional career development

The program is ideal for veterinarians interested in careers in academia, community medicine, or high-quality general practice, while building confidence in managing complex medical and surgical cases.

Clinical Training Environment

Residents join a collaborative teaching and clinical team that includes:

  • Two ABVP Canine/Feline Diplomates
  • Two faculty veterinarians with more than 20 years of clinical experience each
  • One Community Medicine Intern
  • Four certified veterinary technicians, including a Veterinary Technician Specialist (Dentistry)
  • Two certified veterinary assistants
  • One client service liaison

The residency is based at Tufts at Tech (TaT), a primary care teaching clinic located within Worcester Technical High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, approximately 20 minutes from Cummings School campus in North Grafton.

Residents work closely with:

In addition to receiving mentorship, residents also provide clinical support and teaching to rotating interns and students.

About Tufts at Tech

Tufts at Tech is an innovative community-based veterinary teaching clinic that:

  • Provides care for approximately 6,000 canine and feline patients annually
  • Serves underserved pet owners in Worcester and surrounding communities
  • Functions as a required clinical rotation for fourth-year veterinary students
  • Trains vocational high school students pursuing careers in veterinary medicine

The clinic's mission is to deliver high-quality, affordable veterinary care while expanding educational opportunities and increasing diversity within the veterinary profession.

Students gain hands-on experience as primary care clinicians while high school students develop practical veterinary skills and become advocates for animal health within their communities.

Advanced Clinical Experience

Because referrals to specialty hospitals are uncommon among the clinic's patient population, residents gain extensive experience managing complex cases from diagnosis through treatment.

Diagnostic Capabilities

The clinic is equipped with:

  • Comprehensive in-house laboratory analyzers
  • Digital radiography
  • Digital dental radiography
  • Two portable ultrasound units
  • Ultrasound-guided sampling capabilities
  • Fully equipped surgical suite with electrocautery

Residents routinely perform:

  • Advanced diagnostic workups
  • Point-of-care ultrasound examinations
  • Ultrasound-guided procedures
  • Dental diagnostics and treatment

Ongoing collaboration with a visiting internal medicine specialist provides additional mentorship and advanced ultrasound training.

Surgical Training

Residents receive extensive hands-on surgical experience through a diverse caseload. Surgical referrals frequently originate from local practices and the emergency service at the Foster Hospital.

Common procedures include:

  • Foreign body surgery
  • Perineal urethrostomy
  • Enucleation
  • Cherry eye repair
  • Entropion correction
  • Mass removals
  • Mastectomy
  • Pyometra surgery
  • Cesarean section and dystocia management
  • Femoral head and neck ostectomy
  • Lateral suture stabilization
  • Perineal hernia repair
  • Cystotomy
  • Splenectomy
  • Abdominal biopsies
  • Total ear canal ablation and bulla osteotomy (TECA-BO)

Residents also benefit from regular collaboration with a board-certified surgeon who provides consultation and support on advanced surgical cases.

Specialty Rotations

To support board preparation and individualized professional development, residents are encouraged to complete elective specialty rotations at the Foster Hospital.

Available rotations include:

  • Emergency and Critical Care
  • Soft Tissue Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Internal Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Dermatology
  • Anesthesiology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Behavior
  • Pathology

These rotations allow residents to strengthen areas of interest and gain exposure to a broad range of specialty services.

Pathway to ABVP Certification

ABVP is an AVMA-recognized specialty organization that offers species-based certification encompassing medicine, surgery, and dentistry.

Compared with the traditional private-practice pathway, the residency route offers several advantages:

  • Faster timeline to board eligibility (approximately three years versus five years)
  • Direct mentorship from ABVP Diplomates
  • Access to university-based specialty expertise
  • Regular teaching rounds and board preparation
  • Dedicated elective rotation time
  • Structured support throughout the certification process
  • Continued mentorship beyond residency completion

The program is designed to help residents develop the knowledge, clinical skills, and professional confidence needed for successful board certification and long-term career growth.

Candidate Qualifications

Applicants must have:

  • D.V.M. or equivalent veterinary degree
  • Completion of a rotating internship or equivalent clinical experience

Additional consideration may be given to candidates with:

  • Experience in community medicine
  • Experience working with underserved populations
  • Strong interest in teaching and mentorship
  • Commitment to pursuing ABVP board certification

Why Choose This Residency?

This residency offers a rare combination of:

  • Advanced medical and surgical training
  • Extensive hands-on case management
  • Board-certified mentorship
  • Community-focused veterinary medicine
  • Teaching and leadership opportunities
  • Specialty hospital collaboration
  • Preparation for ABVP certification

Graduates are exceptionally well prepared for careers in academia, community practice leadership, and advanced general practice.

For further information, contact Kayla Sample, Program Director.