The unique skill set required for effective veterinary technician deployment in shelters has yet to be formally addressed. Technician training schools focus on the care of one animal at a time, frequently under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. Shelter technicians often have hundreds of animals under their care and frequently work without veterinary supervision. Skilled shelter technicians can play a key role in keeping their shelters healthy by vigilant surveillance, development of effective infection control procedures, enriching the shelter environment, and supervising lay staff. Our shelter medicine program will include a continuing education track for shelter technicians that may be delivered via conferences at the veterinary school or regional centers, lectures or courses at technician training schools, or distance learning opportunities. This program is expected to both enhance the capability of shelter technicians as well as to reduce burn-out and improve recruitment to shelter positions.

Both residents and faculty will also make presentations on topics of interest to shelter technicians at regional, national, and international continuing education meetings.